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Bonsai – Black Pine

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🌍 United States · Double West Coast IPA · One of 8 Double West Coast IPAs in hopIQ

Bonsai – Black Pine was the first beer of the brewery's Bonsai West Coast series and returns from time to time under the same name. Idaho 7, Simcoe and Citra from the Pacific Northwest give a clear, golden double IPA with fresh pineapple, sweet orange, grapefruit zest and a subtle pine note on the nose. Pineapple, cantaloupe and resin follow on the palate. The body stays medium-light, so a firm, lingering bitterness sets the tone to the end.

ABV
8.8%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
golden7
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
Balanced mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

Very dry and assertively bitter.

The malt sets the frame and lets the hops carry the flavour.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Double West Coast IPA.
Hop character
tropical
citrusy
resinous
hoppy
orange
juicy
piney

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Bonsai – Black Pine

◎ Appearance

Clear golden hue with bright transparency and lively effervescence. A pillowy white head forms quickly and clings to the glass with fine, persistent lacing. The carbonation is crisp and well-integrated throughout.

clear goldenbright carbonationfine lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with ripe pineapple and sweet orange zest, layered with grapefruit notes and a subtle herbaceous pine undertone. The Pacific Northwest hop trio—Idaho 7, Simcoe, and Citra—delivers a clean, fruit-forward character without astringency. Malt support remains restrained, allowing citrus and stone fruit to dominate.

ripe pineapplecitrus zestsubtle pineclean hop profile

◐ Taste

Entry is smooth and balanced, with pineapple and cantaloupe sweetness developing across the mid-palate. A resinous hop layer emerges mid-sip, adding texture and depth without overshadowing the fruit. The finish transitions to a firm, lingering bitterness that is dry and mineral-edged, characteristic of a well-attenuated double IPA.

stone fruit sweetnessresinous texturefirm bitternessdry finish

◑ Finish

Bitterness carries through to the end with notable persistence, leaving a clean, slightly dry aftertaste. The medium-light body prevents any heaviness, allowing the resinous bite to linger gracefully.

lingering bitternessclean aftertaste
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
82
Appearance
80
Finish
80
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Bonsai – Black Pine

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 Bonsai – Black Pine

About Double West Coast IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Double West Coast 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 Double West Coast IPA

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

Other Double West Coast IPAs in hopIQ

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