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Rock Hopper

Capital Brewing Co
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🌍 Australia · West Coast IPA · One of 62 West Coast IPAs in hopIQ

A West Coast IPA and one of the first beers brewed at the Fyshwick site in 2017, drawing on the head brewer's years in San Diego. The malt stays lean so that Citra, Chinook, Centennial and Amarillo can carry the beer. Expect a mix of mango, melon and passionfruit alongside grapefruit and citrus peel, with a resinous pine edge from the Chinook. Firm bitterness around 50 IBU leads into the dry, crisp finish the style is known for, at 6.1 % ABV.

ABV
6.1%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter50 IBU
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
golden7
See all West Coast IPA alternatives →

AWARDS

#97 · 2021
GABS Hottest 100
#97 — GABS Hottest 100
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Medium body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Firm bitter edge.
mildbitter
Texture
Balanced mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

Dry and firmly bitter.

A trim base, a hop-led finish — the classic setup for a hop-forward beer.

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

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Rock Hopper

Appearance

Light golden amber hue with excellent clarity and bright, lively carbonation. The head forms with moderate density and retains well, leaving fine Schaumkleiden along the glass as you drink through. The color sits at 7 SRM, presenting the classic pale warmth characteristic of West Coast brewing.

light goldenclearfine lacingwell-carbonated

Aroma

The nose opens with a blend of tropical stone fruit—mango and melon—balanced against grapefruit zest and white citrus peel. A resinous pine edge emerges from the Chinook hops, adding subtle mineral and herbal depth. The malt backbone remains deliberately lean, allowing the hop aromatics to command the profile without competing sweetness.

tropical fruitcitrus peelresinous pineclean malt

Taste

The palate enters with a crisp, clean bitterness (50 IBU) that integrates smoothly rather than lingering aggressively. Mid-palate shows good definition: passionfruit and melon notes meet grapefruit dryness, while the Chinook contributes a dry, piney minerality. The 6.1% ABV keeps the beer light and focused, never warming or cloying.

dry bitternesspiney resintropical and citrusbalanced

Finish

The finish is crisp and dry, with the bitterness tapering into a clean, herbal aftertaste. The beer closes with a lean, refreshing quality and minimal residual sweetness, embodying West Coast IPA tradition.

dry finishherbal aftertastecrisp
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
83
Appearance
80
Finish
79
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Rock Hopper

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 Rock Hopper

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 resinous, dry, crisp character as Rock Hopper will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other West Coast IPAs in hopIQ

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