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Counter Strike

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Orange, mango and pine burst out as a zesty citrus explosion, held together by a bitter backbone. Krush, Mosaic, Citra and Talus Lupomax carry the hops, and torrefied rice lightens the grist of this 6.8% West Coast IPA. It is set against the softer hazy beers of the range: there are times for mellow ones, and times for a banger.

ABV
6.8%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
golden7
PaceTwo or Three
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
citrusyhoppyorange
citrusy
hoppy
orange
piney
tropical
Aroma
The nose opens with an immediate burst of citrus—bright orange zest and tropical mango notes lead the charge.
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Counter Strike

◎ Appearance

Bright golden-amber hue with excellent clarity and fine, persistent carbonation visible throughout the glass. The head forms densely and adheres well to the glass walls, leaving distinct lacing on each sip. A classically clean presentation for the West Coast IPA style.

golden-ambercrystal clearfine carbonationpersistent head

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with an immediate burst of citrus—bright orange zest and tropical mango notes lead the charge. Pine and herbal notes from the Krush and Mosaic hops provide depth, while Citra adds a secondary wave of grapefruit and stone fruit. The torrefied rice keeps the malt profile restrained and clean, allowing the hop aromatics to dominate without becoming cloying.

orange zesttropical mangopine resingrapefruit pith

◐ Taste

The palate enters with punchy citrus and pine character that builds steadily through the mid-palate. A balanced but assertive bitter backbone—60 IBUs well-integrated—emerges clean and dry without harshness. The torrefied rice and understated malt base provide just enough structure to frame the hop expression without muddying the profile; the finish leans toward the bitter and resinous side.

citrus forwardpine-driven bitternessdry palateclean malt backbone

◑ Finish

The bitterness persists with purpose, carrying through a medium-length finish that fades to a lingering herbal dryness. No sweetness or residual warmth intrudes; the aftertaste remains crisp and hop-focused.

persistent bitternessherbal fade
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
82
Taste
78
Appearance
80
Finish
75
Serve at 8–11°C

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

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.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Counter Strike

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About West Coast IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a 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 West Coast IPA

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

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