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Hoptic Nerve

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Late additions of Mosaic, Amarillo and Nelson Sauvin give this IPA plenty of hop aroma and flavor without bitterness. The name plays on the optic nerve. It comes from Free State in Lawrence, Kansas, the brewery that opened in 1989 as the first legal brewery in the state in over 100 years. Free State’s beers go from a 14-barrel brewhouse to Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri.

ABV
4.8%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter30 IBU
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
What makes this beer itself
MaltHop
hoppytropicalcitrusy
hoppy
tropical
citrusy
floral
clean
Aroma
The nose is dominated by the distinctive character of Nelson Sauvin, delivering tropical stone fruit and subtle white wine notes alongside bright citrus zest from Amarillo.
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Hoptic Nerve

◎ Appearance

Hoptic Nerve presents a bright golden-amber hue with excellent clarity and a pale straw cast. The head forms quickly and clings to the glass with persistent Schaumhaftung, leaving fine lacing on each sip. Carbonation is lively and well-integrated, creating a inviting visual presence.

golden-amberbright claritypersistent headfine lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose is dominated by the distinctive character of Nelson Sauvin, delivering tropical stone fruit and subtle white wine notes alongside bright citrus zest from Amarillo. Mosaic adds a floral complexity with hints of peach and honeysuckle. The overall impression is aromatic and refined, without any sharp or aggressive hop burn.

stone fruittropicalwhite wine notesfloral peach

◐ Taste

Entry is smooth and approachable, with citrus and tropical fruit flavors unfolding across the palate. The late hop additions provide clean, dimensional flavor rather than overbearing bitterness—the 30 IBU sits comfortably integrated. Mid-palate reveals subtle floral and stone fruit character, with a delicate malt backbone supporting without dominating.

smooth entrycitrus-forwardtropical fruitrefined bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and crisp, with lingering citrus and subtle tropical notes fading gracefully. Bitterness recedes quickly, leaving a refreshing, dry aftertaste that invites another sip.

crispdry finishlingering citrus
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
81
Appearance
83
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 Hoptic Nerve

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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, smooth-drinking, tropical character as Hoptic Nerve 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 →