Larkin's "Maverick" East Coast IPA

Juicy, tropical and wonderfully easy-going.
Maverick is Larkin's take on the modern East Coast IPA, built around the idea that an IPA can be packed with flavour without needing to be aggressively bitter. At 5.3% ABV, it sits comfortably in the middle ground between a session beer and a full-strength IPA, with a soft, juicy character that makes it exceptionally easy to drink. Larkin's describe it simply as a classic juicy tropical East Coast IPA — and that really is the appeal. This is a beer where ripe fruit and hop aroma take centre stage, while bitterness stays firmly in the background.

The East Coast style is all about a softer interpretation of the IPA, and Maverick embraces that approach wholeheartedly. Instead of the sharp grapefruit, pine and resin often associated with traditional West Coast IPAs, the emphasis here is on lush tropical fruit, a rounded mouthfeel and an easy, flowing finish. It is expressive enough to satisfy anyone looking for proper hop character, but gentle enough that the beer never feels like work.

Pouring a hazy golden colour, Maverick immediately gives away its modern IPA credentials. The aroma is bright and inviting, with layers of ripe tropical fruit, juicy citrus and soft stone-fruit character. On the palate, those fruit flavours carry through beautifully, supported by a smooth malt base that gives the beer enough body without making it heavy. The bitterness is deliberately restrained, allowing the juicy character to remain at the forefront right through to the finish.

At 5.3% ABV, Maverick has been given just enough strength to feel like a proper IPA while retaining the drinkability that makes the style so appealing. It is the sort of beer that works beautifully when you want something hoppy but don't necessarily want the bitterness or alcohol of a bigger IPA. The low-bitterness profile also makes it particularly approachable for drinkers who enjoy fruit-forward craft beer but are still finding their way into more hop-led styles.

There is a relaxed confidence to Maverick that makes it particularly easy to recommend. It doesn't need extreme bitterness, huge alcohol or an elaborate list of flavours to make an impression. Instead, it does something rather more useful: it delivers a generous dose of juicy tropical hop character in a format that feels natural to drink. Larkin's themselves describe it as a best-seller, which makes perfect sense once you understand the beer's uncomplicated appeal.

For anyone exploring Irish craft beer, Maverick is a particularly friendly introduction to the modern East Coast IPA. It has the aroma and flavour that people look for in contemporary hop-forward beer, but without the bitterness that can sometimes make traditional IPAs challenging. In other words, it is a beer that gives you all the fun of a juicy IPA while keeping the experience refreshingly relaxed.

Why we love it:
Maverick is all about the enjoyable side of IPA: juicy tropical fruit, a soft body and very little bitterness getting in the way. It has plenty of hop character without becoming heavy or demanding, making it an easy choice for both dedicated craft beer drinkers and anyone looking to try a more modern IPA style.