Maplewood Son of Juice 12Pk

Maplewood Son of Juice 12Pk is a hazy India Pale Ale at 6.3% ABV, sold as a 12-pack of cans from Chicago's Maplewood Brewery & Distillery. Scoring 93/100 from Craft Beer & Brewing and a 91 on BeerAdvocate, this is one of the most critically acclaimed hazy IPAs coming out of the Midwest.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.3%  |  Origin: Logan Square, Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: Hazy / New England IPA  |  Brewery: Maplewood Brewery & Distillery

Production & Heritage

Maplewood Brewery & Distillery operates out of Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood, producing both beer and spirits under one roof. Son of Juice is built on a grain bill of Pilsner malt, Malted Oats, Golden Naked Oats, and White Wheat — the heavy oat presence and soft Pilsner base create the beer's signature pillowy body and persistent haze. The hop schedule layers Mosaic, Mosaic Cryo, Simcoe, Simcoe Cryo, and Nugget hops, delivering intense tropical aromatics while keeping bitterness deliberately restrained.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: White grapefruit and under-ripe orange hit first, followed by waves of passionfruit, kiwi, and dark berry. A subtle herbal note from the Simcoe hops adds complexity beneath the tropical fruit blanket.

Taste: The entry is immediate and fruit-forward — fresh-squeezed orange juice dominates, with tropical mandarin close behind. Mid-palate, pineapple and mango emerge alongside guava and sweet grapefruit, while the oat-heavy grain bill provides a soft, biscuity backbone that keeps everything balanced. Bitterness is low and rounded, letting the hop flavor carry the weight.

Finish: Medium in length with a juicy, slightly pulpy texture that lingers like citrus pith. A whisper of grain and light blueberry close things out cleanly, inviting the next sip.

How to Drink Son of Juice

Pour it cold into a tulip glass or wide-mouth pint to open up the aromatics — this beer rewards a proper pour rather than drinking straight from the can. Son of Juice also works well in beer-forward mixed drinks: try a Beermosa where the built-in OJ character amplifies fresh orange juice; a Beer Shandy blended with lemonade for a summer crusher; or a Michelada where the tropical fruit and low bitterness play surprisingly well against lime and hot sauce.

Best For

• Stocking up for a backyard cookout or summer gathering
• Introducing a craft-curious friend to hazy IPAs
• Pairing with grilled seafood or spicy tacos
• Gifting to a hop-head who values juice over bitterness

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Son of Juice taste like? Son of Juice tastes like fresh-squeezed orange juice layered with tropical mango, pineapple, and guava, supported by a soft, biscuity malt body. Bitterness is intentionally low, making the hop flavor and fruit character the focal point.

How does Son of Juice compare to Narrow Gauge hazy IPAs? Both breweries are frequently mentioned together in Midwest hazy IPA conversations, with Narrow Gauge offering similarly fruit-forward, soft-bodied styles. Son of Juice leans heavier on citrus and orange-juice character, while Narrow Gauge expressions tend to explore a broader range of hop combinations and limited releases.

Is Son of Juice good for beginners? Yes — its low bitterness, juicy fruit-forward profile, and smooth oat body make it one of the most approachable hazy IPAs available, even for drinkers who typically avoid hoppy beers.

Where is Son of Juice made? Son of Juice is brewed at Maplewood Brewery & Distillery in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. The brewery operates as a combined brewery and distillery on Chicago's northwest side.

What foods pair well with Son of Juice? Grilled shrimp tacos benefit from the beer's citrus punch; spicy Thai green curry is tempered by the soft malt body; a fresh poke bowl mirrors the tropical fruit notes; fish and chips find balance against the low bitterness; and a creamy goat cheese salad contrasts the hop-driven juiciness.

What sizes does Son of Juice come in? This listing is a 12-pack of cans, which is the standard multi-pack format for Son of Juice.

Is Son of Juice worth the price? Son of Juice positions as a premium craft hazy IPA that competes directly with top-tier examples of the style. With a 93/100 from Craft Beer & Brewing and a 91 on BeerAdvocate, the critical reception supports its standing as a strong value within the hazy IPA category.

Why Son of Juice?

In a market saturated with hazy IPAs, Son of Juice stands out through its specific grain bill engineering — the combination of Pilsner malt with three different oat varieties creates a body that genuinely feels like drinking juice rather than beer. The 93/100 score from Craft Beer & Brewing and over 75,000 ratings on Untappd confirm that this isn't just local hype. The Mosaic and Simcoe Cryo hop additions deliver concentrated tropical flavor without the harsh bitterness that plagues many imitators. For anyone serious about the hazy IPA style, Son of Juice is a benchmark Midwest expression that earned its reputation through consistency and flavor.