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Fathom IPA

Ballast Point Brewing
United States·IPA·Rank 41 of 50 · The Best American IPAs
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A west-coast-style IPA with just the right amount of depth: a touch of malt on the surface and an ocean of zesty orange and piney hops below, crisp and clean. A 6% IPA, limited and on draft only. Under the name Fathom IPL it won gold at the World Beer Cup in 2010, in the out-of-category class for traditionally brewed beer.

ABV
6%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter50 IBU
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
PaceA Few

AWARDS

Gold · 2010
World Beer Cup
Out of Category - Traditionally Brewed Beer
★Gold — World Beer Cup (Out of Category - Traditionally Brewed Beer)
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
pineycitrusyclean
piney
citrusy
clean
hoppy
orange
malty
Aroma
The nose leads with assertive pine and fresh citrus notes, particularly orange zest, which dominate the initial impression.
also:tropical
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Fathom IPA

◎ Appearance

A bright golden hue with excellent clarity and fine carbonation. The head forms quickly and clings to the glass with steady lacing, creating a fine web of retention that persists throughout the pour.

bright goldencrisp carbonationpersistent lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with assertive pine and fresh citrus notes, particularly orange zest, which dominate the initial impression. Beneath these zesty hop aromatics lies a subtle layer of biscuity malt that provides mild ballast, with a hint of tropical fruit character adding complexity.

piney, resinousbright orange zestsubtle malt foundation

◐ Taste

The palate opens with a clean, balanced entry where a touch of pale malt foundation meets an immediate wave of Edelhopfen character. Pine and citrus flavors drive the mid-palate with crispness and clarity, while moderate bitterness (50 IBU) provides structure without overwhelming. The finish remains dry and refreshing, with hop bitterness lingering cleanly.

pine and citrus forwardbalanced bitternesscrisp, dry palate

◑ Finish

A clean, moderately long finish with lingering hop bitterness and a subtle orange note. The aftertaste remains crisp and dry, inviting another sip.

dry, hop-drivenlingering citrus
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
83
Taste
84
Appearance
80
Finish
79
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 Fathom IPA

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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 piney, citrusy, clean character as Fathom IPA will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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