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Fat Tug

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A Northwest-style India Pale Ale that announces itself through an intense hop profile—grapefruit, mango, melon, and passionfruit emerge cleanly from the glass. This hop monster pulls slow and low, but the brewers have anchored it with sufficient malt to provide structural support; that malt buoyancy is what keeps such monstrous hop bitterness from becoming one-dimensional. The result is a beer that swings between citrus and stone fruit on one side and a warm, supportive grain bed on the other. At 7% ABV and 80 IBU, it sits comfortably in the session-able range for a beer of this character—ideal for an evening devoted to hop exploration.

ABV
7%
Bitterness
Very bitter80 IBU
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
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
hoppycitrusyfruity
hoppy
citrusy
fruity
tropical
malty
resinous
Aroma
The nose is dominated by a clean, assertive hop character that announces grapefruit, mango, melon, and passionfruit in successive waves.
also:clean
not found:juicy,caramel,sour,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Fat Tug

◎ Appearance

Fat Tug presents a clear, bright golden-amber body that catches light with transparency and vibrancy. The head forms quickly and clings to the glass with persistent lacing, revealing the beer's generous carbonation and solid malt foundation. Clarity is excellent throughout, allowing the warm hue to dominate without haziness.

golden-amberclearpersistent head lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose is dominated by a clean, assertive hop character that announces grapefruit, mango, melon, and passionfruit in successive waves. Beneath the tropical fruit and citrus sits a warm, grain-driven maltiness that prevents the aromatics from becoming one-dimensional. A subtle resinous edge rounds out the bouquet, characteristic of well-integrated noble hops.

tropical fruitgrapefruit and citrusresinous hop oilgrain sweetness

◐ Taste

The palate opens with a clean citrus bite that transitions into stone fruit and tropical notes across the mid-palate, supported throughout by a substantial but never overwhelming malt bed. Bitterness arrives with purpose—80 IBU delivers a firm, lingering finish without harshness—anchored by the beer's malt structure, which prevents hop character from dominating. The interplay between bitter resin and warm, supportive grain creates a layered drinking experience.

bitter and balancedcitrus and stone fruitmalt-supportedclean finish

◑ Finish

The finish is crisp and drying, with bitterness extending through the aftertaste without becoming astringent. The 7% ABV allows the beer to close cleanly, leaving a pleasant hoppy memory that invites the next sip.

dry, lingering bitternesssession-able
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
84
Appearance
78
Finish
80
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 Fat Tug

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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 Fat Tug 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 Canada beers →