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Mai Tai P.A.

Alvarado Street Brewery
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🌍 United States · Pale Ale · One of 86 Pale Ales in hopIQ

Mai Tai P.A. is a Pale Ale from Alvarado Street Brewery, based in sun-soaked Salinas, California. True to its tropical namesake, this Californian brew pours a clear, golden-amber hue with a bright white head. The aroma is an inviting wave of citrus and stone fruit — think fresh orange peel, passionfruit, and a hint of coconut — carried on a clean, biscuity malt backbone. On the palate, it's light to medium in body, refreshingly crisp, with juicy hop character balancing a gentle sweetness. Bitterness is moderate and approachable, never harsh. The finish is clean and dry, with lingering tropical fruit notes that make it as easy-drinking as a well-made poolside cocktail.

ABV
6.5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
See all Pale Ale alternatives →

AWARDS

Bronze · 2024
World Beer Cup 2024
Gold · 2023
Great American Beer Festival 2023
Bronze · 2020
Great American Beer Festival 2020
Gold · 2018
Great American Beer Festival 2018
Silver · 2016
Great American Beer Festival 2016
Gold · 2015
Great American Beer Festival 2015
Bronze — World Beer Cup 2024
Gold — Great American Beer Festival 2023
Bronze — Great American Beer Festival 2020
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
hopIQ take

Dry finish.

A clean close sets the character — an invitation to the next sip.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Pale Ale.
Hop character
citrusy
tropical
hoppy
orange
Malt character
bready
Fermentation & yeast
clean
Distinctive notes
peach
smooth drinking
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FEATURED IN

#1 of 50The Best American Pale Ales#2 of 50The Best American Beers

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Mai Tai P.A.

Appearance

Mai Tai P.A. presents a clear, golden-amber body with excellent transparency. The bright white head forms readily and maintains good retention, clinging to the glass with visible lacing as the beer is consumed. Carbonation is assertive yet refined, evident in a steady stream of fine bubbles.

golden-amber, clearbright white headfine carbonation

Aroma

The nose leads with vibrant tropical and citrus character — prominent orange peel and passionfruit notes are immediately apparent, supported by a subtle coconut undertone. A clean, biscuity Malz foundation grounds the composition without becoming heavy, allowing the hop-driven aromatics to remain in the foreground.

citrus, orange peelpassionfruit, coconutbiscuity malt backbone

Taste

Entry is light to medium-bodied with crisp, juicy hop character that evolves across the palate. Stone fruit and citrus notes from the Edelhopfen integrate seamlessly with a gentle, restrained sweetness. Bitterness develops gradually to moderate levels — approachable and balanced rather than aggressive — before transitioning into a clean, dry finish.

juicy hoppy characterstone fruit, citrusmoderate, balanced bitterness

Finish

The finish is clean and dry with lingering tropical fruit notes that persist without harshness. The overall impression recalls a well-crafted tropical cocktail — refreshing and easy-drinking, inviting another sip.

clean, dry finishtropical fruit lingering
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
82
Appearance
80
Finish
80
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Mai Tai P.A.

Serve at 7–10°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

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
Recommended for this style

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.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Mai Tai P.A.

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 tropical, citrusy, peach character as Mai Tai P.A. will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Pale Ales in hopIQ

Explore all Pale Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse United States beers →

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