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Bling

Bridge Road Brewers
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🌍 Australia · American IPA · One of 388 American IPAs in hopIQ

First brewed in 2007, Bling was one of the early modern Australian IPAs and still sits between two eras. Five hop varieties push tropical fruit and citrus to the front, mango, passionfruit and grapefruit, while melanoidin and red crystal malts set a caramel depth and a deeper amber colour against them than most current IPAs show. The bitterness stands firm at 45 IBU and carries through a long, dry finish that keeps the hop character running.

ABV
5.8%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter45 IBU
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
See all American IPA alternatives →

AWARDS

Silver Medal · 2018
Australian International Beer Awards
Silver Medal — Australian International Beer Awards
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

Dry finish.

A clean close sets the character — an invitation to the next sip.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another American IPA.
Hop character
tropical
citrusy
hoppy
Malt character
caramel
malty
Fermentation & yeast
fruityclean
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Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Bling

Appearance

Bling presents a deeper amber hue than many contemporary IPAs, owing to its melanoidin and red crystal malt bill. The body carries good clarity with a moderate, persistent head that leaves fine lacing down the glass. Carbonation is brisk and well-integrated, lending a lively visual presence.

deep amberclearpersistent head

Aroma

The nose leads with bright tropical notes—mango and passionfruit dominate, supported by grapefruit zest and a secondary citrus minerality. Beneath the hop-driven profile, caramel and light toffee from the malt base provide warm depth without overshadowing the fruit character. The overall impression is balanced between bold hop expression and subtle malty support.

mango, passionfruitgrapefruit zestcaramel undertone

Taste

The palate entry is clean and crisp, with tropical and citrus fruit moving immediately to the fore. Mid-palate reveals a firm bitterness at 45 IBU that integrates well rather than dominates, while a caramel sweetness from the malt provides structure and a subtle warmth. The finish is characteristically dry, with hop bitterness persisting without harshness.

tropical fruit forwardbalanced bitternessdry palate

Finish

A long, dry finish carries the hop character persistently into the aftertaste, maintaining grapefruit and citrus notes. The bitterness resolves cleanly without astringency, leaving the drinker with a refreshing, lingering hoppy impression.

long, dry finishlingering citrus
81
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
82
Appearance
78
Finish
81
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Bling

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 Bling

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 tropical, bitter, caramel character as Bling will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other American IPAs in hopIQ

Explore all American IPA beers in hopIQ →New to American IPA? Read our guide →Browse Australia beers →

WHERE TO BUY

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