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Mind Haze Galaxy Bender

Firestone Walker Brewing Company
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🌍 United States · New England Double IPA · One of 29 New England Double IPAs in hopIQ

Galaxy Bender builds the Mind Haze idea around the Australian Galaxy hop, joined by Citra and the newer variety Krush. The result leads with big tropical fruit: mango, peach and plum, then grapefruit and a note of citrus pith. Torrified wheat gives a silky, pillowy body and a steady haze that softens everything into a smooth finish. The 8.5 percent strength adds warmth without covering the hop character.

ABV
8.5%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
amber9
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Substantial body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Bone-dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Sharp bitter finish.
mildbitter
Texture
Balanced mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

Very dry and assertively bitter.

The malt sets the frame and lets the hops carry the flavour.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another New England Double IPA.
Hop character
tropical
citrusy
hoppy
Distinctive notes
hazy
peach
Malt character
wheat
Fermentation & yeast
fruity

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Mind Haze Galaxy Bender

◎ Appearance

Pale golden hue with a soft, persistent haze throughout the glass. A creamy head forms quickly and settles into a fine ring of lacing that clings to the glass. Carbonation appears moderate and well-integrated, giving the beer a visually inviting and approachable character.

pale goldenhazy throughoutcreamy headfine lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with bold tropical fruit notes—mango, peach, and plum dominate the first impression. Behind the stone fruits, grapefruit zest and a hint of citrus pith emerge, adding brightness and herbal dimension. The Galaxy, Citra, and Krush hops work in concert here, with no rough or sharp edges; the aromatics feel round and inviting.

tropical stone fruitgrapefruit, citrus pithsmooth hop expressionmango, peach, plum

◐ Taste

The palate opens with the same tropical and citrus fruit character promised on the nose, landing softly thanks to the silky body from torrified wheat. Mid-palate reveals a measured bitterness (60 IBU) that balances rather than dominates, allowing the hop-derived fruit to remain the focus. The malt backbone is clean and unobtrusive, providing structure without sweetness or grain harshness.

soft tropical fruitrestrained bitternesssilky bodybalanced, dry finish

◑ Finish

The finish is smooth and lingering, with the citrus and grapefruit notes gently fading into a dry, clean aftertaste. The 8.5% alcohol adds warmth without heat or burn, leaving the drinker with a sense of refreshment rather than heaviness.

dry aftertastelingering citruswarm, clean close
85
hopIQ score
Aroma
88
Taste
84
Appearance
82
Finish
83
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Mind Haze Galaxy Bender

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 Mind Haze Galaxy Bender

About New England Double IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a New England Double 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 New England Double IPA

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same tropical, peach, fruity character as Mind Haze Galaxy Bender will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other New England Double IPAs in hopIQ

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