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This is Riwaka

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This is Riwaka is an IPA built around a single hop, used at every stage of production. Riwaka is a rare New Zealand variety related to Saaz. It brings intense citrus accompanied by tropical notes and a strong herbal component. The grist is Pilsner, Golden Promise and caramel malt, and fermentation uses an American yeast.

ABV
6.2%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter60 IBU
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
citrusytropicalherbal
citrusy
tropical
herbal
hoppy
malty
caramel
Aroma
The nose is dominated by the signature character of Riwaka: bright citrus oils—lemon and lime—mingle with distinctive tropical stone fruit notes that suggest guava and passionfruit.
also:clean
not found:juicy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for This is Riwaka

◎ Appearance

Riwaka presents a pale golden hue with excellent clarity and a fine, persistent white head that laces the glass cleanly as you drink. The carbonation is crisp and well-integrated, evident from the steady stream of fine bubbles rising through the liquid. The color sits at the lighter end of the IPA spectrum, suggesting restraint in the kilning of its base malts.

pale goldenbright claritypersistent headlively carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose is dominated by the signature character of Riwaka: bright citrus oils—lemon and lime—mingle with distinctive tropical stone fruit notes that suggest guava and passionfruit. A herbaceous green quality runs through the profile, reminiscent of the hop's Saaz heritage, grounding the exotic fruitiness. The Pilsner and Golden Promise malts contribute a subtle, clean grain foundation without heavy sweetness.

citrus-forwardtropical fruitherbal characterclean grain base

◐ Taste

On the palate, the citrus and tropical fruit notes follow through cleanly, arriving at moderate intensity on entry. The mid-palate develops a peppery, slightly resinous herbal quality that adds complexity and prevents the sweetness from dominating. At 60 IBU, the bitterness is present but measured, finishing dry and clean without harshness, allowing the hop's layered flavor profile to remain the focus.

balanced bitternessherbaceous finishcitrus persistencemedium body

◑ Finish

The finish is medium in length with a lingering herbal dryness and faint citrus pith on the palate. The low ABV (6.2%) keeps the finish light and crisp rather than warming or heavy.

dry aftertasteherbal lingering
80
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
79
Appearance
81
Finish
77
Serve at 8–11°C

Serve well-chilled. Session IPAs are at their best cold — the lower ABV means less warmth to balance the hops.

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.

Drink fresh. Session IPAs are brewed to be consumed young — the hops are at their best now.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with This is Riwaka

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About IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a 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 IPA

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

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