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Free State Copperhead Pale Ale

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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
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
hoppycitrusyclean
hoppy
citrusy
clean
floral
malty
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.
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

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
Serve at 7–10°C

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

Pint glass

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

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Free State Copperhead Pale Ale

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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.

Compare with another beer →Explore all American Pale Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse United States beers →