Maplewood Fat Pug 4-Pack is a 5.6–5.9% ABV oatmeal milk stout brewed by Maplewood Brewery & Distillery in Chicago, Illinois. This hybrid stout took home a Gold Medal at the 2022 Great American Beer Festival in the oatmeal milk stout category, following a Bronze Medal at the same competition in 2017 — credentials that place it among the top-judged beers in its class nationwide.Quick Facts: ABV: 5.6–5.9% | IBU: 23–24 | Origin: Chicago, Illinois | Style: Oatmeal Milk Stout | Brewery: Maplewood Brewery & DistilleryProduction & HeritageMaplewood Brewery & Distillery operates out of Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood, running both brewing and distilling operations under one roof. Fat Pug is built on a deliberately complex grain bill — pale malt, pale chocolate malt, roasted barley, dehusked Carafa malt, Munich malt, dark crystal malt, and flaked oats — hopped with Warrior and Northern Brewer varieties. The beer's defining move is fusing two stout substyles into one: flaked oats deliver the silky, full body of an oatmeal stout, while lactose provides the residual sweetness characteristic of a milk stout. The combination of pale chocolate, roast barley, and dehusked Carafa generates layered roast character without the harshness that a single dark malt would produce.Tasting NotesAroma: Dark chocolate and roasted coffee lead immediately, followed by undertones of caramel and dried dark fruit. A subtle creaminess rounds out the nose, hinting at the lactose sweetness beneath.Taste: The entry is smooth with bittersweet chocolate and espresso. At mid-palate, caramel and dark fruit — raisins and plums — emerge as the roasted grain complexity opens up. Lactose sweetness balances the roast throughout, keeping the beer rich but drinkable at its moderate strength.Finish: Medium in length with a velvety, almost oily texture that coats the palate. Burnt toast, cocoa, and a trailing hint of cream fade gradually without any acrid bitterness.How to Drink Fat PugPour into a tulip or snifter glass at cellar temperature (50–55°F) to fully open up the chocolate and coffee aromatics; drinking straight from the can works fine for casual sessions. Fat Pug also lends itself to several creative serves: a Stout Float poured over vanilla bean ice cream, where the lactose sweetness and dark chocolate harmonize with the cream; a Stout Flip shaken with an egg, simple syrup, and fresh nutmeg for a rich after-dinner drink; or a Black Velvet variation layered with dry sparkling cider, where the effervescence cuts through the stout's body for a textural contrast.Best For Introducing a lager-drinking friend to the dark beer category without intimidation Cold-weather gatherings where a rich, warming beer fits the mood Pairing alongside a chocolate dessert course Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who appreciates GABF-recognized quality Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Fat Pug taste like? Fat Pug delivers dominant dark chocolate and roasted coffee flavors balanced by lactose-derived sweetness, with supporting notes of caramel, raisins, plums, and burnt toast. The mouthfeel is medium-to-full bodied, smooth, and almost oily in texture.How does Fat Pug compare to Left Hand Milk Stout Nitro? Both are American craft milk stouts, but Fat Pug incorporates flaked oats and a wider array of roasted malts — including dehusked Carafa and pale chocolate — producing a more layered grain character than Left Hand's cleaner roast profile. Left Hand Milk Stout Nitro relies on its nitrogen charge for a cascading, creamy pour, while Fat Pug achieves its smooth body through the oatmeal stout component and a complex seven-grain bill.Is Fat Pug good for beginners? Fat Pug is one of the more approachable dark beers available, thanks to its lactose sweetness, moderate 5.6–5.9% ABV, and low 23–24 IBU bitterness. It reads as rich and flavorful without the aggressive roast or high alcohol that can challenge newcomers to the style.Where is Fat Pug made? Fat Pug is brewed by Maplewood Brewery & Distillery in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. Maplewood operates as a dual brewery and distillery out of its Chicago facility.What foods pair well with Fat Pug? Smoked brisket or barbecue ribs, where char and smoke complement the roasted malt; flourless chocolate cake or brownies, which amplify the cocoa notes; sharp aged cheddar, whose salt and tang contrast the lactose sweetness; oysters on the half shell, a classic stout pairing where brininess meets roasted grain; and vanilla ice cream, turning the beer into a natural float.What sizes does Fat Pug come in? Fat Pug is commonly available in 4-packs of cans and on draft at the brewery's Chicago taproom.Is Fat Pug worth the price? Fat Pug sits in the mid-range craft stout tier but delivers quality well above its bracket, backed by a 2022 GABF Gold Medal and a 2017 GABF Bronze Medal. Its complex grain bill and dual-style approach rival specialty stouts priced significantly higher.Why Fat Pug?The 2022 GABF Gold Medal places Fat Pug in a narrow field — only one gold is awarded per category each year at the largest judged beer competition in the United States. The beer's structural identity as both an oatmeal stout and a milk stout is not a marketing gimmick but a genuine grain-bill decision: seven distinct malts and grains work together to produce roast complexity that a simpler recipe cannot achieve, while lactose and flaked oats supply the body and sweetness that keep it sessionable at under 6% ABV. Beer & Brewing Magazine scored it 88 points, and over 26,500 ratings on Untappd reflect steady, widespread appreciation. Among American craft stouts at this strength and price point, few can match Fat Pug's combination of competition pedigree and accessible drinkability.
