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Bling

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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
PaceA Few

AWARDS

Silver Medal · 2018
Australian International Beer Awards
★Silver Medal — Australian International Beer Awards
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
tropicalcaramelcitrusy
tropical
caramel
citrusy
fruity
hoppy
malty
Aroma
The nose leads with bright tropical notes—mango and passionfruit dominate, supported by grapefruit zest and a secondary citrus minerality.
also:clean
not found:juicy,roasted,sour,smoky

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
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 Bling

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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.

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