Brewery / taproom
Unclaimed profileMaplewood Brewery & Distillery
Chicago, IL · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Maplewood Brewery & Distillery pairs a GABF-medal-winning beer lineup with a house-distilled spirits program and a cocktail menu built on its own gin, whiskey, and rum. Fat Pug Oatmeal Milk Stout anchors a year-round roster that spans pilsner to pastry stout, while limited releases and seasonal lagers keep the taplist in motion. The distillery side turns out bourbon, single malt, and spruce-tip gin, with canned cocktails extending the program beyond the taproom.
- What should I order?
- Start with Fat Pug Oatmeal Milk Stout, a two-time GABF medalist. For hops, Son of Juice IPA or Juice Pants hazy IPA. Try a designated cocktail like the Spruce Juice to taste the house gin, or a canned Rum Punch for a portable option.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Beer enthusiasts seeking award-winning stouts and a rotating seasonal lineup. Spirits curious drinkers interested in house-made whiskey, gin, and rum. Non-alcoholic drinkers have hop water options, though the DRO THC seltzers may appeal to a niche crowd.
- When should I go?
- Visit during Oktoberfest season for Festbier, or check the taproom calendar for limited releases and barrel-aged pours. Evenings are prime for cocktails and spirits flights.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Expect standard brewery taproom pricing for pours and cans, with cocktails likely in the $10-14 range given typical craft distillery pricing.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- A dual brewery-distillery operation where the beer and spirits programs cross-pollinate. Fat Pug stout becomes a whiskey, and Spruce Gin shows up in cocktails. The barrel-aged spirits line and GABF-recognized stout give the venue credentials beyond a typical taproom.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
Cocktail menu includes canned options like Blackberry Gin Fizz and Rum Punch, plus designated cocktails such as Raspberry Ricky and Spruce Juice. House-distilled spirits feature prominently, though detailed descriptions are limited.
Menu strengths
- — Uses house-distilled spirits in cocktails, adding a unique edge.
Standout selections
- — Spruce Juice – likely showcases Spruce Gin, but no description given.
- — Rum Punch – hibiscus and cinnamon flavors in a canned format.
Pricing: Pricing not documented.
Beer
Beer program spans year-round staples, seasonals, and limited releases. Fat Pug Oatmeal Milk Stout has won GABF medals, and the variety covers IPAs, pilsners, stouts, and lagers.
Menu strengths
- — Wide variety of styles from pilsner to pastry stout.
- — Seasonal and limited releases keep the lineup dynamic.
Standout selections
- — Fat Pug Oatmeal Milk Stout – 5.9% ABV, 2017 GABF medalist and 2022 GABF gold medal winner.
- — Son of Juice IPA – 6.3% ABV, a praised year-round IPA.
- — Juice Pants Hazy IPA – 7% ABV, a limited release for hop lovers.
Pricing: Pricing not documented.
Nonalcoholic
Non-alcoholic options include sparkling hop waters: Rad Hydroz Bodacious Berry Lemonade and Totally Tropical. DRO THC seltzers are listed but their alcohol content is unclear.
Standout selections
- — Rad Hydroz: Bodacious Berry Lemonade – sparkling hop water.
- — Rad Hydroz: Totally Tropical – sparkling hop water.
Pricing: Pricing not documented.
Spirits
Distillery produces aged spirits like Fat Pug American Malt Whiskey, Lounge Bourbon, Wheated Bourbon, and Spruce Gin Barrel Reserve, plus clear spirits including Brewer's Gin and White Rum. Barrel tracker indicates ongoing aging program.
Menu strengths
- — Range of aged and clear spirits, including barrel reserve gin.
- — Fat Pug whiskey extends the brewery's stout brand into spirits.
Standout selections
- — Fat Pug American Malt Whiskey – 44.5% ABV, a spirit extension of the award-winning stout.
- — Spruce Gin Barrel Reserve – 50% ABV, gin aged with Colorado spruce tips and botanicals.
- — Wheated Bourbon – 58.3% ABV, high-proof offering.
Pricing: Pricing not documented.
How it sits with the food
No food program is documented, but the robust beer list pairs naturally with bar snacks. Fat Pug's oatmeal milk stout complements chocolate desserts, while the hoppy IPAs cut through fried foods. Spirits like bourbon can accompany smoked meats if the venue allows outside food.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
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