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Free State Copperhead Pale Ale

Free State Brewing Company
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🌍 United States · American Pale Ale · One of 217 American Pale Ales in hopIQ

Free State's hop-forward Pale Ale — citrus and floral American hop character over a clean balanced malt base. Copperhead is the beer that introduced Lawrence's craft drinkers to hoppy ales in the early 1990s.

ABV
5.2%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
pale gold3
See all American Pale Ale 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

Each axis lands close to the centre in a considered, even reading.

A profile in balance where the form comes from all sides, every layer speaks in turn.

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

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Free State Copperhead Pale Ale

Appearance

Copperhead presents a bright golden hue with excellent clarity and a fine, white head that leaves delicate lacing on the glass. The beer displays lively carbonation, visible as a steady stream of small bubbles rising through the clear body. The color suggests a balance between pale and amber, characteristic of the American Pale Ale style.

bright goldenclearfine white headwell-carbonated

Aroma

The nose opens with assertive American hop character: citrus notes of grapefruit and orange lead, supported by subtle floral undertones reminiscent of herbs and flowers. Beneath the hop profile, clean malt provides a light, biscuity foundation without dominating the aromatics. The overall impression is fresh and inviting, with no harsh or vegetal notes.

citrus-forwardfloral hopsclean maltgrapefruit, orange

Taste

The palate enters with crisp hop bitterness balanced by a clean, lightly sweet malt backbone. Mid-palate reveals the citrus character—orange zest and slight grapefruit—sustained by gentle floral notes and a dry, slightly herbaceous quality. At 38 IBUs, the bitterness is firm but not aggressive, allowing the hop flavor to shine without overshadowing the malt sweetness.

hoppy, balancedcitrus bitedry finishmoderate bitterness

Finish

The finish is crisp and refreshing, with lingering hop bitterness that fades steadily rather than abruptly. A subtle malt sweetness and citrus character persist briefly on the palate before clearing cleanly.

crisplingering hop biteclean fade
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
83
Appearance
82
Finish
79
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Free State Copperhead Pale Ale

Serve at 7–10°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 7–10°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Free State Copperhead Pale Ale

About American Pale Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a American Pale Ale?

Pale Ales balance malt sweetness with moderate hop character at 4.5–6% ABV and IBU 20–40. Approachable with floral, citrus or earthy notes over a biscuit malt base.

Finding a similar American Pale Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same hoppy, citrusy, clean character as Free State Copperhead Pale Ale will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other American Pale Ales in hopIQ

Explore all American Pale Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse United States beers →

WHERE TO BUY

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