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Switchback

BentSpoke Brewing Co
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🌍 Australia · Extra Pale Ale · One of 13 Extra Pale Ales in hopIQ

An XPA hopped with Mosaic, Galaxy and two New Zealand trial varieties. The aroma is loud for the strength, with passionfruit, ripe feijoa and pineapple over a green, resinous edge, while traditional ale, Munich and Voodoo malt keep the body light and the colour pale. At 36 IBU the bitterness runs firmer than the style usually does, and the finish stays smooth and short.

ABV
4.8%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter36 IBU
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
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How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
hopIQ take

Balanced backbone, with every axis close to the middle.

Nothing dominates, and that is the craft — each element gets room to be tasted.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Extra Pale Ale.
Hop character
tropical
hoppy
resinous
grassy
Fermentation & yeast
fruity
clean
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Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Switchback

Appearance

Pale golden hue with bright clarity and a fine, persistent white head. The carbonation is lively and even, with good retention and delicate lacing that clings to the glass as you drink.

pale goldcrystal clearfine foamwell-carbonated

Aroma

A bold, fruit-forward nose dominates for the beer's modest strength, leading with passionfruit and ripe feijoa alongside bright pineapple. A resinous, herbal undertone adds complexity, with traditional ale and Munich malt contributing subtle depth without heaviness.

passionfruitpineappleresinousfeijoaherbal edge

Taste

The palate opens light and clean, with tropical fruit flavours carrying through the mid-palate before a firm, grippy bitterness emerges. The malt backbone—built on Munich and traditional ale varieties—remains understated, allowing the Mosaic and Galaxy hops to drive the experience with their fruity intensity.

tropical fruitresinous bitedry hop characterlight body

Finish

The finish is smooth and short, with the bitterness settling into a crisp, refreshing aftertaste that doesn't linger. The final impression is clean and quenching.

short finishcleanrefreshing
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
82
Taste
76
Appearance
80
Finish
75
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Switchback

Serve at 7–10°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 7–10°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Switchback

About Extra Pale Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Extra Pale Ale?

Pale Ales balance malt sweetness with moderate hop character at 4.5–6% ABV and IBU 20–40. Approachable with floral, citrus or earthy notes over a biscuit malt base.

Finding a similar Extra Pale Ale

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

Other Extra Pale Ales in hopIQ

Explore all Extra Pale Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse Australia beers →

WHERE TO BUY

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