Melvin Hubert MPA

Tasting Notes

Typical of a West Coast-leaning American Pale Ale, expect a moderate hop presence with citrus and floral aromatics up front, backed by a light biscuit malt base. Flavor leans toward grapefruit peel and pine resin with enough malt backbone to balance without sweetness dominating. The body is medium-light with a clean, dry finish that lets the hops linger. This reflects the style profile, as specific documentation on this particular release is limited.

About the Brewery

Melvin Brewing is based in Alpine, Wyoming, with roots in a Thai restaurant that evolved into one of Wyoming's more celebrated craft operations. The brewery built a national reputation largely on its IPA program, particularly the 2x4 DIPA, which won medals at the Great American Beer Festival. Known for a bold, hop-forward house character and an irreverent brand personality, Melvin has expanded distribution well beyond its mountain-town origins.

Food Pairings

The dry hop character pairs well with fish tacos, where citrus notes mirror lime and fresh salsa without overwhelming delicate white fish. A grilled chicken sandwich works because the malt backbone holds up to char while hops cut through mayo richness. Aged cheddar offers a sharp contrast that amplifies the beer's bitterness, and a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette mirrors the beer's own citrus-and-bitter axis without fighting it.

Style Guide

American Pale Ale sits between a session IPA and a full American IPA in terms of hop intensity, typically ranging from roughly 4.5 to 6.5% ABV with a moderate but distinct hop profile. The style emerged from American craft brewing in the 1980s, with Sierra Nevada Pale Ale establishing the template: assertive but not aggressive hop character built on American varieties like Cascade, with a supporting malt structure that stays largely neutral. Compared to an IPA, the hop bitterness is gentler and the overall body lighter, making the style more approachable without abandoning its hop identity.