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Saphir

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A golden IPA with exotic hop notes: lychee, mango and mandarin come from the hop oils of the Mühlviertel variety Saphir, which lies in the beer as whole cones for two months of dry hopping. Top-fermenting yeast makes it fruity and fresh, with a strong body that still suits hot summer days. It grew out of an earlier pale bock of the same name, first a dry-hopped lager. 6.5% ABV.

ABV
6.5%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
PaceTwo or Three
★undefined — Austrian Beer Challenge (Amerikanische Ales)
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
What makes this beer itself
MaltHop
tropicalfruityhoppy
tropical
fruity
hoppy
citrusy
clean
Aroma
Tropical stone fruit dominates the nose, with pronounced lychee and mango notes layered beneath bright mandarin citrus.
not found:juicy,caramel,sour,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Saphir

◎ Appearance

A bright golden yellow with excellent clarity and fine carbonation that rises in steady streams. The head forms quickly and displays good lacing as it recedes, clinging to the glass in delicate patterns. The overall presentation is vibrant and inviting, with a luminous quality typical of well-crafted golden ales.

bright goldenclearfine carbonationpersistent lacing

◌ Aroma

Tropical stone fruit dominates the nose, with pronounced lychee and mango notes layered beneath bright mandarin citrus. The Saphir hop variety's characteristic oil-derived character shines through the two months of dry-hopping, creating an aromatic profile that feels both exotic and refreshing. A clean, fruity yeast contribution adds softness without obscuring the hop character.

lycheemangomandarintropicalclean yeast

◐ Taste

The palate opens with immediate tropical fruit sweetness that transitions into a balanced medium bitterness in the mid-palate. The full body carries the beer confidently without heaviness, and the citrus notes persist through the flavor arc. The interplay between fruity hops and the brisk, dry character keeps the beer refreshing despite its strength.

tropical fruitmedium bitterfull-bodieddrycitrus-forward

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and moderately long, with the bitterness lingering pleasantly as the tropical notes fade. A residual dryness invites another sip and makes this beer well-suited to warm weather enjoyment.

clean aftertastemoderate lengthdry
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
82
Appearance
85
Finish
78
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 Saphir

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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 tropical, fruity, hoppy character as Saphir will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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