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Black Hills IPA

Firehouse Brewing Company
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🌍 United States · American IPA · One of 386 American IPAs in hopIQ

Black Hills IPA from Rapid City wears its geography in every sip — named for the ancient granite surrounding the Firehouse brewery, it pours deep gold with citrus and pine leading the charge, backed by a crisp, mineral bitterness (60 IBU) that mirrors the landscape itself. At 6.5%, it's assertive without being heavy, clean without being thin. Built for wide-open spaces.

ABV
6.5%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
See all American IPA alternatives →
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Substantial body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Bone-dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Sharp bitter finish.
mildbitter
Texture
Crisp mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

Very dry and assertively bitter.

The grain stays in the background so every note the beer offers can come from the hops.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another American IPA.
Hop character
citrusy
hoppy
piney
Fermentation & yeast
clean
Distinctive notes
mineral

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Black Hills IPA

Appearance

Deep gold pour with excellent clarity and bright translucence. The head forms quickly and persists with fine retention, leaving distinct lacing on the glass with each sip. Carbonation is assertive and visible, creating a lively visual impression that underscores the beer's crisp character.

deep goldclearfine lacingwell-carbonated

Aroma

The nose leads with bright citrus—orange and grapefruit pith—layered beneath a pronounced pine resin character. Underneath sits a mineral backbone that echoes the granite landscape, with a subtle clean malt foundation that avoids sweetness. The hop profile is forward without being aggressive, inviting immediate engagement.

citrus-forwardpine resinmineral backboneclean

Taste

Entry is crisp and bright, with citrus and pine building quickly across the mid-palate. The mineral character—reminiscent of slate and stone—provides a dry, geological undercurrent throughout. The 60 IBU bitterness lands firm but never harsh, lingering as a clean, refreshing bite that balances the hop intensity without overwhelming the palate.

hoppy bitemineral-drivencitrus depthbalanced bitterness

Finish

Medium-length finish with persistent bitterness that fades cleanly to a dry, almost granite-like dryness. Aftertaste maintains the pine and citrus memory without any lingering sweetness or cloying quality.

dry finishmineral aftertaste
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
82
Appearance
85
Finish
78
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Black Hills IPA

Serve at 8–11°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 8–11°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Tulip glass
Recommended for this style

The curved shape concentrates hop aromas and supports a thick head. Essential for aromatic ales and IPAs where the nose is half the experience.

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

Food Pairing

What to eat with Black Hills IPA

About American IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a American 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 American IPA

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same hoppy, citrusy, mineral character as Black Hills IPA will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other American IPAs in hopIQ

Compare with another beer →Explore all American IPA beers in hopIQ →New to American IPA? Read our guide →Browse United States beers →