hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Charnwood IPA

Tap to rate

A true-to-type amber IPA at 5.8%: plenty of English malt, English hops at the start and a generous finish of American Simcoe, giving orange and citrus flavours in a full-bodied beer. In 2017 the keg version won national Gold at the SIBA awards, and the cask IPA took Bronze in 2024.

ABV
5.8%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
PaceA Few

AWARDS

Bronze · 2024
SIBA Indie Beer Awards (regional, Midlands)
Cask IPA
Gold · 2017
SIBA Indie Beer Awards
★Bronze — SIBA Indie Beer Awards (regional, Midlands) (Cask IPA)
★Gold — SIBA Indie Beer Awards
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
citrusyorangehoppy
citrusy
orange
hoppy
malty
fruity
clean
Aroma
English hop character leads on the nose, offering herbal and earthy notes that give way to distinctive citrus and orange zest from the Simcoe additions.
also:tropical
not found:juicy,caramel,sour,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Charnwood IPA

◎ Appearance

Amber hue with a warm, burnished glow characteristic of the style. Clear and bright, with good head retention and fine carbonation that maintains a creamy collar of lacing on the glass. The body carries excellent visual presence.

amber, brightcreamy headwell-carbonated

◌ Aroma

English hop character leads on the nose, offering herbal and earthy notes that give way to distinctive citrus and orange zest from the Simcoe additions. Beneath lies a solid English malt foundation with subtle biscuit and grain character that anchors the overall profile.

English hops, herbalcitrus, orange zestbiscuit malt

◐ Taste

The palate opens with caramel and bready malt sweetness, supported by the full body that carries the beer through to mid-palate. American Simcoe hops deliver a generous wave of citrus and orange flavors, balanced by moderate bitterness (60 IBU) that builds steadily without overwhelming the malt base.

full-bodied, maltyorange, citrus forwardbalanced bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish extends with lingering citrus and a gentle drying bitterness that fades gradually. A warming alcohol presence (5.8% ABV) complements the hop-driven conclusion without harshness.

citrus aftertastedry, persistent
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
83
Appearance
85
Finish
78
Serve at 8–11°C

Serve well-chilled. Session IPAs are at their best cold — the lower ABV means less warmth to balance the hops.

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.

Drink fresh. Session IPAs are brewed to be consumed young — the hops are at their best now.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with Charnwood IPA

More from Charnwood Brewery

Black Fox
Black Fox
Stout
4.5%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Black Hen
Black Hen
Porter
4.9%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Blossom
Blossom
Golden Ale
4.1%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Blue Fox
Blue Fox
Session IPA
4.2%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
By George
By George
Best Bitter
4.6%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Carousel
Carousel
Best Bitter
4.2%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Charlie Brewn
Charlie Brewn
Brown Ale
5.2%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Charmer
Charmer
Best Bitter
4.5%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →

About IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a 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 IPA

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same full-bodied, citrusy, orange character as Charnwood IPA will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

FEATURED IN

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