Maplewood Top Pocket 4Pk

Maplewood Top Pocket 4Pk is a 4.8% ABV American Blonde Ale brewed in Chicago with honey malt and German Saphir hops. Scoring 83 on BeerAdvocate, it stands out in its category for a distinctive golden sweetness balanced by delicate citrus and spice hop character.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.8%  |  Origin: Logan Square, Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: American Blonde Ale  |  Brewery: Maplewood Brewery & Distillery

Production & Heritage

Maplewood Brewery & Distillery operates out of Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood, producing both beer and spirits. Top Pocket is built on a grain bill featuring honey malt, which contributes a golden hue and a soft, rounded sweetness that goes beyond what standard pale or pilsner malts deliver. German Saphir hops—a noble-adjacent variety known for restrained bitterness and subtle citrus-spice aromatics—provide the finishing touch, keeping the beer balanced and clean rather than hop-forward.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Orange citrus and pineapple rise first, followed by a warm caramel malt sweetness. The Saphir hops add a faint spice note underneath.

Taste: The entry is led by honey malt sweetness, landing soft and approachable on the palate. Mid-palate, orange and lemon citrus notes emerge alongside a white bread-like grain character. Hop bitterness arrives gently toward the finish, just enough to keep things from tilting too sweet.

Finish: Clean and short, with mild lingering malt sweetness and a trace of citrus zest. The medium-light body and crisp carbonation leave a refreshing, dry close.

How to Drink Top Pocket

Serve cold from the can or pour into a pint glass to release the citrus aromatics. This is a sessionable beer at 4.8% ABV, built for straightforward drinking rather than deconstruction.

• Shandy: The honey malt sweetness pairs naturally with fresh lemonade for a warm-weather shandy.
• Michelada: The light body and mild bitterness hold up well against lime, hot sauce, and tomato juice.
• Beer Cocktail Float: Top Pocket's golden sweetness works as a base under a scoop of lemon sorbet for a simple dessert drink.

Best For

• Introducing craft beer to someone who gravitates toward lighter styles
• Backyard cookouts and warm-weather sessions
• Pairing with a casual weeknight dinner
• Stocking a mixed cooler with approachable, well-made options

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Top Pocket taste like? Top Pocket leads with a soft honey malt sweetness accented by orange and lemon citrus, finishing clean with mild hop bitterness. It has a medium-light body with lively carbonation, making it easy to drink.

How does Top Pocket compare to Firestone Walker 805? Both are approachable American Blonde Ales, but Top Pocket's use of honey malt gives it a slightly more pronounced malt sweetness compared to 805's drier, more neutral grain profile. Top Pocket also uses German Saphir hops rather than American varieties, lending subtle spice rather than herbal or floral notes.

Is Top Pocket good for beginners? At 4.8% ABV with a balanced, malt-forward profile and restrained bitterness, Top Pocket is an excellent entry point for anyone exploring craft beer beyond mainstream lagers.

Where is Top Pocket made? Top Pocket is brewed by Maplewood Brewery & Distillery in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois.

What foods pair well with Top Pocket? Grilled chicken benefits from the beer's mild sweetness and carbonation cutting through char. Fish tacos match well with its citrus notes. A soft pretzel with mustard complements the bread-like malt character. Light salads with citrus vinaigrette echo the Saphir hop profile. Mild cheeses like Havarti or young Gouda mirror the beer's gentle, approachable nature.

What sizes does Top Pocket come in? Top Pocket is available in a 4-pack format, which is the standard offering from Maplewood for this beer.

Is Top Pocket worth the price? Top Pocket positions as a fairly priced neighborhood craft blonde ale—solidly made, sessionable, and true to its style without pretending to be something more ambitious than it is.

Why Top Pocket?

The honey malt backbone is what separates Top Pocket from the sea of generic blonde ales. Where many beers in this style lean on simplicity to the point of anonymity, the honey malt gives Top Pocket an identifiable character—a warm, golden sweetness that rewards attention without demanding it. The choice of German Saphir hops over more common American varieties shows intentionality in the recipe design, adding a European-inflected citrus-spice note that keeps the beer interesting across a full session. With an 83 on BeerAdvocate and a 3.7 on Untappd across nearly 1,500 ratings, it has earned consistent approval from the craft beer community as a dependable, well-balanced everyday beer.