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Rock Hopper

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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
PaceA Few

AWARDS

#97 · 2021
GABS Hottest 100
★#97 — GABS Hottest 100
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
resinouspineycitrusy
resinous
piney
citrusy
tropical
hoppy
Aroma
The nose opens with a blend of tropical stone fruit—mango and melon—balanced against grapefruit zest and white citrus peel.
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

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
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 Rock Hopper

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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 resinous, dry, crisp character as Rock Hopper 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 Australia beers →