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Mad River Maple

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Sweetness and a hint of caramel run through this robust 8% ale, which finishes slightly sweet. It is brewed with 100% pure Vermont maple syrup and has a smooth, rich body. Founder Sean Lawson's first homebrew in 1990 was a maple wheat ale, so this style has deep roots at the brewery. This one is released in October 2026.

ABV
8%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
PaceSipper
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
caramelmaltyclean
caramel
malty
clean
hoppy
citrusy
Aroma
The nose leads with subtle caramel and maple notes that sit gracefully alongside gentle citrus and herbal Edelhopfen character.
not found:juicy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Mad River Maple

◎ Appearance

A pale golden hue with excellent clarity and a fine, persistent white head. The carbonation is moderate and well-integrated, creating a stable foam that clings to the glass with each sip. The body displays the characteristic brightness of a quality pale ale at this strength.

pale goldenclearpersistent headwell-carbonated

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with subtle caramel and maple notes that sit gracefully alongside gentle citrus and herbal Edelhopfen character. Beneath this lies a soft Malz foundation with hints of honey and toffee. The maple presence is restrained and integrated rather than cloying, revealing the brewer's careful hand in balancing adjunct and grain.

maple syrupcaramelcitrus undertonesherbal hops

◐ Taste

The palate opens with rich sweetness and full-bodied Malz character that carries through the mid-palate with notes of caramel and toffee. A subtle bitterness—approximately 35 IBU—arrives mid-palate to frame the malt and maple without overwhelming them. The finish remains smooth and slightly sweet, with clean hop definition that prevents excess cloying and maintains balance.

sweet entrycaramel maltsmooth bodybalanced bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish lingers with a gentle sweetness and a clean, slightly crisp aftertaste that refreshes the palate. A whisper of herbal hop character persists without harshness, leaving an impression of richness tempered by restraint.

lingering sweetnessclean finishcrisp aftertaste
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
83
Appearance
80
Finish
79
Serve at 7–10°C

Cold enough to sharpen the hop aroma without numbing the palate. Around 7–9°C keeps the citrus and pine vivid without losing bitterness definition.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Drink fresh — hop aroma fades fast. Best within 3 months of canning or bottling.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Mad River Maple

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About Pale Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Pale Ale?

India Pale Ales are hop-forward ales with ABV typically 5.5–7.5% and IBU 40–70+. Bold citrus, pine or tropical aromas alongside firm bitterness and a clean dry finish.

Finding a similar Pale Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same sweet, caramel, smooth character as Mad River Maple will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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