BA Cuppa Neat - WLR
Maplewood Brewery & Distillery


- From:
- Maplewood Brewery & Distillery
- Illinois, United States
- Style:
- American Imperial Stout
- ABV:
- 13.9%
- Score:
- +2 ratings needed
- Avg:
- 4.54 | pDev: 2.86%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 3
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- May 22, 2026
- Added:
- Nov 18, 2025
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 0
This Neat was blended from Cuppa aged in Weller bourbon barrels for over 32 months. A formidable stout brewed to showcase the expression of the barrels used in the aging process. Rich with cocoa, and layered with robust barrel character, this stout shows notes of caramel, toasted oak, and a touch of vanilla bean, with faint hints of dark fruit in the finish. For this release, like every other Neat, no adjuncts were used: this Cuppa is served “neat.”
Recent ratings and reviews.
Rated by NCSapiens from Indiana
4.47/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.47/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
This is really good. Complex barrel profile, smooth and rich feel, pronounced chocolate notes. Very high quality.
May 22, 2026Reviewed by ChicagoJ from Illinois
4.83/5 rDev +6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
4.83/5 rDev +6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
2/4/26 - (Draft - The Beer Temple) (Chicago, IL) Draft Notes: $11 draft comped via their Toast program. The Beer Temple is the best! 6 oz. snifter pour, 2025 release. Cuppa aged for 32 months in Weller bourbon barrels.
Appearance: Dark black base, creamy dark tan head leaves quickly with minimal base cover and creamy ring around the rim. Yes! 4.5
Aroma: Keg held at 44 F vs. colder standard beer. Very nice Weller front and center, at serving time and throughout. No nuance, but also no complaints as this smells absolutely delicious. 4.5
Taste: More depth here, with a beautiful rosy creamy decadent bakers and milk chocolate base, sticky toffee, caramel base coated by a deep and very smooth Weller barrel. This is awesome. 5.0
Mouthfeel: Silky smooth rich creamy decadent body. Drinks somewhat string, but more very smooth. A little sweet, the base and bourbon come through very balanced. I’ve had previous Cuppa Neat variants and loved them, but by memory this is my favorite and among the best barrel / base combos I can recall. 4.75
Overall: This is an outstanding beer. Maplewood isn’t as hyped as other local breweries, but they consistently brew good to great offerings, and this exceeds excellent. So wonderful, Weller is awesome, perfect balance with an engaging base. World Class. 5.0
Feb 04, 2026Appearance: Dark black base, creamy dark tan head leaves quickly with minimal base cover and creamy ring around the rim. Yes! 4.5
Aroma: Keg held at 44 F vs. colder standard beer. Very nice Weller front and center, at serving time and throughout. No nuance, but also no complaints as this smells absolutely delicious. 4.5
Taste: More depth here, with a beautiful rosy creamy decadent bakers and milk chocolate base, sticky toffee, caramel base coated by a deep and very smooth Weller barrel. This is awesome. 5.0
Mouthfeel: Silky smooth rich creamy decadent body. Drinks somewhat string, but more very smooth. A little sweet, the base and bourbon come through very balanced. I’ve had previous Cuppa Neat variants and loved them, but by memory this is my favorite and among the best barrel / base combos I can recall. 4.75
Overall: This is an outstanding beer. Maplewood isn’t as hyped as other local breweries, but they consistently brew good to great offerings, and this exceeds excellent. So wonderful, Weller is awesome, perfect balance with an engaging base. World Class. 5.0
Reviewed by drdiesel9483 from Ohio
4.49/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.49/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Look - black and thick with a nice tan rimming
Smell and taste - so much barrel, dark chocolate and booze
Feel - full body creamy with a light carbonation
Overall - fanastic
Jan 03, 2026Smell and taste - so much barrel, dark chocolate and booze
Feel - full body creamy with a light carbonation
Overall - fanastic
Reviewed by REVZEB from Illinois
4.66/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
4.66/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Had on tap. Pitch black pour, small brown head. From the smell right away it seems that weller barrels and this base rich dark chocolate stout that were meant for each other. Bourbon, vanillins, dark chocolate, toasty oak, caramel, dark earth in that order of intensity in the nose. Taste is even deeper, adding more barrel depth, slight anise and raisin. Heavy and decadent yet so smooth and full, chewy even but booze stays dialed in. Honestly this blew me away with how good this was. From now on, I'll take my cuppa neat!
Nov 25, 2025
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