hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Son of Sapping Mammoth

Tap to rate

Bright tropical fruit, pineapple and guava, meets lemon and grapefruit, with grassy tones and onion and garlic. Citra, Cryo Citra, Mosaic, Centennial and HBC 522 hops ride on Briess 2-Row, Maine Malt House Pilsner and Blue Ox red wheat and Vyenna in this 6.5% IPA. It was born in a 2014 collaboration with Half Acre, and the recipe has since been refreshed with locally grown grains from Blue Ox and Maine Malt House.

ABV
6.5%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
PaceTwo or Three
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
tropicalhoppycitrusy
tropical
hoppy
citrusy
fruity
grassy
wheat
Aroma
The nose opens with vibrant tropical fruit character—pineapple and guava dominate the initial impression, complemented by bright citrus notes of lemon and grapefruit.
also:herbal,clean
not found:juicy,caramel,sour,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Son of Sapping Mammoth

◎ Appearance

Pale golden color with excellent clarity and a fine, persistent head that leaves delicate lacing on the glass. Bright carbonation is evident in steady streams of bubbles rising through the liquid. The visual presentation conveys freshness and refinement typical of a well-crafted American IPA.

pale goldencrystal clearfine headwell-carbonated

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with vibrant tropical fruit character—pineapple and guava dominate the initial impression, complemented by bright citrus notes of lemon and grapefruit. A distinct herbal and grassy foundation emerges beneath, with subtle savory undertones of onion and garlic from the hop blend. The aroma is clean and fresh, with no yeast or malt character intruding on the hop expression.

tropical fruitcitrus brightnessherbal-grassypineapple, guava

◐ Taste

Entry is crisp and hoppy, with tropical and citrus flavors immediately engaging the palate. Mid-palate develops grassy and herbal notes alongside lemon zest and subtle grapefruit bitterness, while the locally-sourced grain bill provides a clean, understated malt foundation without sweetness. Bitterness is moderate and well-integrated, finishing dry without astringency.

crisp hop bitetropical-citrusherbal complexityclean finish

◑ Finish

The finish is relatively short and clean, with lingering citrus and herbal notes fading gracefully. No sticky residue or excessive bitterness remains; instead, a refreshing dryness invites another sip.

short-to-medium finishdry, refreshing
81
hopIQ score
Aroma
88
Taste
82
Appearance
85
Finish
75
Serve at 8–11°C

Serve at 8–11°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Tulip glass

The curved shape concentrates hop aromas and supports a thick head. Essential for aromatic ales and IPAs where the nose is half the experience.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with Son of Sapping Mammoth

More from Maine Beer Company

a tiny beautiful something
a tiny beautiful something
Pale Ale
5.5%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Another One
Another One
American IPA
7%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →
Breakfast
Breakfast
Pale Ale
8.5%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Dinner
Dinner
Double IPA
8.2%·Very bitter
Find matches →
Fall
Fall
Milk Stout
5.6%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Festbier
Festbier
Festbier
5.3%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
King Titus
King Titus
Porter
7.5%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Lil One
Lil One
American Strong Ale
9.2%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →

About American IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a American IPA?

IPAs are hop-forward ales with 5.5–7.5% ABV and IBU 40–70+. Bold hop aroma — citrus, tropical, resinous — with firm bitterness and a dry, clean finish.

Finding a similar American IPA

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same tropical, hoppy, citrusy character as Son of Sapping Mammoth will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →Explore all American IPA beers in hopIQ →New to American IPA? Read our guide →Browse United States beers →