Maplewood Sabro Transit Authority (STA) 4Pk

Maplewood Sabro Transit Authority (STA) 4Pk is a double dry hopped New England-style hazy IPA at 7% ABV brewed by Maplewood Brewery & Distillery in Chicago. Rated 4 out of 5 on Untappd across more than 2,300 reviews, this single-hop showcase highlights the distinctive character of Sabro hops with bold coconut and tropical fruit intensity.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: New England / Hazy IPA  |  Brewery: Maplewood Brewery & Distillery

Production & Heritage

Maplewood Brewery & Distillery operates out of Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood, running both brewing and distilling operations under one roof. The Sabro Transit Authority — part of the brewery's rotating Transit Authority hop-focused IPA series — is a love letter to Sabro hops, a variety known for producing unusual coconut, stone fruit, and citrus characteristics rarely found in other hop cultivars. The double dry hopping process amplifies those aromatic oils, pushing hop-derived flavor and aroma to the forefront while maintaining the soft, hazy mouthfeel expected of the New England IPA style.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe coconut leads immediately, followed by waves of overripe tropical fruit and bright citrus. There is a lush, almost creamy sweetness on the nose that signals the Sabro hop character before the first sip.

Taste: The entry is soft and juicy with prominent coconut and citrus. Mid-palate, deeper tropical fruit notes emerge — mango, papaya, and stone fruit layers that give the beer a rich, almost dessert-like sweetness. A subtle resinous bite builds toward the back of the palate, providing necessary structure against the fruit-forward profile.

Finish: Medium in length with lingering coconut and a light hop bite that keeps things from becoming cloying. The tropical sweetness slowly fades, leaving a clean, slightly bitter close.

How to Drink Sabro Transit Authority

Pour into a tulip glass or stemless wine glass at around 40–45°F to let the aromatic complexity fully open up; drinking straight from the can mutes much of what makes this beer interesting. Sabro Transit Authority also works well in beer cocktails: try a Michelada where the coconut and tropical notes play against lime and hot sauce; a Beer-mosa with fresh-squeezed orange juice to amplify the citrus; or a Shandy blended with lemonade for a refreshing warm-weather drink that leans into the fruit character.

Best For

• Hop enthusiasts exploring single-hop showcases beyond the usual Citra and Mosaic
• Sharing at a backyard cookout or casual gathering with craft beer fans
• Introducing someone to the unique coconut-forward profile of Sabro hops
• Building a tasting flight of the Transit Authority series to compare hop varieties side by side

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Sabro Transit Authority taste like? It delivers a bold combination of coconut, citrus, and overripe tropical fruit with a soft, hazy body and a subtle hop bite on the back end. The Sabro hops give it an unusually rich, almost creamy sweetness that sets it apart from more conventional hazy IPAs.

How does Sabro Transit Authority compare to Other Half Triple Mosaic Daydream? Both are hop-forward hazy IPAs, but Triple Mosaic Daydream leans into the berry, mango, and dank resin character of Mosaic hops at a higher ABV, while Sabro Transit Authority is defined by its distinctive coconut and tropical profile at a more sessionable 7%. The two represent very different single-hop experiences within the New England IPA category.

Is Sabro Transit Authority good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — at 7% ABV it is flavorful enough to stand alone without being overwhelming, and the aromatic complexity rewards slow, attentive drinking from a proper glass.

Where is Sabro Transit Authority made? It is brewed at Maplewood Brewery & Distillery in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. Maplewood operates as a combined brewery and distillery in the city.

What foods pair well with Sabro Transit Authority? Coconut shrimp mirrors and reinforces the hop-driven coconut character. Grilled fish tacos with mango salsa complement the tropical fruit notes. Thai green curry works well because the beer's sweetness tempers the heat. A charcuterie board with aged cheddar provides a salty, savory counterpoint. Key lime pie echoes the citrus while playing off the creamy body.

What sizes does Sabro Transit Authority come in? It is available as a 4-pack of cans, which is the standard format for this release from Maplewood Brewery & Distillery.

Is Sabro Transit Authority worth the price? It positions in the mid-range craft IPA tier, which is appropriate for a double dry hopped, single-hop hazy IPA from a well-regarded Chicago brewery. The 4 out of 5 Untappd rating across thousands of reviews suggests strong consensus on quality and repeat drinkability.

Why Sabro Transit Authority?

What separates this beer from the crowded hazy IPA field is its commitment to a single, unusual hop variety. Sabro hops produce a coconut-forward character that most other cultivars simply cannot replicate, and the double dry hopping here pushes that uniqueness to full volume. With a 4 out of 5 Untappd rating across more than 2,300 reviews, the beer has earned broad recognition among craft drinkers who seek out hop-forward releases with genuine personality. For anyone looking beyond the standard Citra-Mosaic-Galaxy rotation, the Sabro Transit Authority is one of the more distinctive entries in the New England IPA space.