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Craftworks Moon Bear IPA

Craftworks Taphouse & Bistro
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🌍 South Korea · American IPA · One of 356 American IPAs in hopIQ

Craftworks' most celebrated beer — named after the Asian black bear (moon bear) native to Korea. Rich, hoppy and assertive with citrus and pine resin character. Moon Bear IPA became a revelation for Seoul's early craft drinkers and remains Craftworks' signature offering after 15+ years.

ABV
6%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
golden5
See all American IPA alternatives →
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

Very dry and assertively bitter.

The grain stays in the background so every note the beer offers can come from the hops.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another American IPA.
Hop character
citrusy
hoppy
piney
resinous
herbal
Malt character
malty
Fermentation & yeast
clean
fruity
Compare with another beer →

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Craftworks Moon Bear IPA

Appearance

Moon Bear IPA presents a bright golden amber hue with excellent clarity and a persistent white head that demonstrates proper carbonation and conditioning. The beer's luminous appearance is characteristic of a well-crafted American IPA, inviting the drinker with its vibrant visual presentation.

golden amberbrilliant claritypersistent white headwell-carbonated

Aroma

The nose bursts with assertive citrus and pine resin aromatics that immediately establish this beer's hop-forward character. Complementary floral and herbal undertones add complexity, while subtle tropical fruit esters suggest a sophisticated yeast profile that balances the aggressive hop bill.

citrus-forwardpine resinfloralherbal

Taste

The palate delivers bold grapefruit and citrus flavors upfront, followed by pronounced pine and resinous hop character that builds throughout the mid-palate. The 60 IBU bitterness remains assertive yet balanced, creating tension with subtle tropical fruit notes while maintaining impressive drinkability for a 6% ABV beer.

citrus-dominantgrapefruitpine-resinousbalanced bitterness

Finish

Moon Bear concludes with a clean, dry finish that showcases excellent hop expression without excessive lingering bitterness. The crisp departure leaves a pleasant herbal and citrus aftertaste that invites the next sip.

dry finishcrispclean departure
86
hopIQ score
Aroma
87
Taste
85
Appearance
84
Finish
85
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Craftworks Moon Bear IPA

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 Craftworks Moon Bear IPA

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 hoppy, citrusy, rich character as Craftworks Moon Bear IPA 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 South Korea beers →

WHERE TO BUY

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