hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Devil's Staircase

Tap to rate

Back Forty's balanced everyday IPA — bright citrus and mild tropical hop character over a bready American-pale-ale spine, moderate bitterness, and a dry-but-not-punishing finish. Named for the trail. This is what Alabama craft looks like when it's not trying to be either a hazy or a west-coast bruiser. Middle-of-the-plate, done right.

ABV
6.5%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter43 IBU
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden7
PaceTwo or Three
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
hoppycitrusyorange
hoppy
citrusy
orange
tropical
floral
bready
Aroma
The nose leads with clean citrus notes—bright orange zest and lemon—supported by gentle tropical fruit undertones of pineapple and stone fruit.
also:malty
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Devil's Staircase

◎ Appearance

Pale golden hue with excellent clarity and bright translucence. The head forms with modest persistence, laying down fine lacing as the beer settles. Carbonation is crisp and visible, with steady streams of fine bubbles rising through the glass.

pale goldenclearbright carbonationfine lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with clean citrus notes—bright orange zest and lemon—supported by gentle tropical fruit undertones of pineapple and stone fruit. A subtle floral character threads through, with light bready Malz in the background providing a grounding American pale-ale foundation.

citrus zesttropical fruitfloral accentclean malt

◐ Taste

Entry is crisp and approachable, with immediate citrus and orange character melding into a balanced middle palate. The bready Malz backbone holds firm without sweetness, while moderate hop bitterness builds gradually across the mid-palate—enough to assert presence without aggression.

citrus forwardbalanced bitternessbready spinedry palate

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and dry, with lingering hop bitterness and orange peel character fading steadily without harshness. Aftertaste remains refreshing and inviting, encouraging another sip.

dry finishlingering citrusclean aftertaste
79
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
80
Appearance
78
Finish
77
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.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with Devil's Staircase

More from Back Forty Beer Company

Back Forty Naked Pig Pale Ale
Back Forty Naked Pig Pale Ale
American Pale Ale
6%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →
Back Forty Truck Stop Honey
Back Forty Truck Stop Honey
American Amber Ale
4.6%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Bama Mosa
Beach Cat
Beach Cat
Blonde Ale
4.5%·Mild
Find matches →
Italian Pilsner
Italian Pilsner
Italian Pilsner
5.5%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Rollin in the Haze
Rollin in the Haze
New England IPA
6%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Sundown
Sundown
West Coast IPA
6%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →

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, bitter character as Devil's Staircase 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 United States beers →