hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Side Track

Tap to rate

Side Track is a mid-strength XPA built on Cascade, Citra and Azacca. Pale, Vienna and wheat malt form a light frame that carries the hops without weight. Fresh citrus and tropical fruit lead the aroma, with a resinous hint of pine behind them, and the palate stays lean, dry and lightly bitter. At 3.5 percent it sits well under a standard pale ale while keeping the hop character intact.

ABV
3.5%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter24 IBU
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
PaceSession

AWARDS

Gold · 2026
Royal Queensland Beer Awards
Bronze · 2024
Australian Independent Beer Awards
Bronze · 2024
Perth Royal Beer Awards
Bronze · 2024
Australian International Beer Awards
Silver · 2023
Perth Royal Beer Awards
Silver · 2022
Australian Independent Beer Awards
Bronze · 2022
Australian International Beer Awards
Gold · 2021
Australian International Beer Awards
Gold · 2021
Perth Royal Beer Awards
Bronze · 2020
Australian Independent Beer Awards
★Gold — Royal Queensland Beer Awards
★Bronze — Australian Independent Beer Awards
★Bronze — Perth Royal Beer Awards
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
tropicalcitrusyresinous
tropical
citrusy
resinous
hoppy
piney
clean
Aroma
The nose opens with bright citrus notes—lemon and grapefruit peel—layered with distinct tropical fruit character that suggests mango and stone fruit.
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Side Track

◎ Appearance

Side Track presents a pale golden hue with excellent clarity and a fine, persistent head that leaves delicate lacing on the glass. The carbonation is brisk and well-integrated, lending a lively visual presence without excessive effervescence. The light color reflects the restrained malt bill, allowing the hop character to dominate without visual heaviness.

pale goldenclearfine headwell-carbonated

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with bright citrus notes—lemon and grapefruit peel—layered with distinct tropical fruit character that suggests mango and stone fruit. A resinous pine backdrop emerges as the beer warms, grounding the bright hop expression without overwhelming it. The aromatic profile is clean and focused, with no malt sweetness or yeast character competing for attention.

citrus peeltropical fruitresinous pineclean hop

◐ Taste

The palate enters lean and crisp, with the malt providing only a delicate foundation that refuses to interfere with hop presence. Citrus and tropical notes develop across the mid-palate, followed by a building, dry bitterness that sits at a moderate level—assertive enough to define the beer without harshness. The finish remains dry and clean, with a light resinous persistence that echoes the aroma.

dry palatecitrus-forwardmoderate bitternesslight body

◑ Finish

The aftertaste is crisp and relatively short, fading cleanly without lingering sweetness or astringency. A faint resinous dryness reminds of the hop profile as the beer reaches its conclusion.

dry finishcrispclean
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
82
Taste
80
Appearance
76
Finish
74
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.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with Side Track

More from Gage Roads Brew Co

Air Time
Air Time
Low Carb Lager
4%·Mild
Find matches →
Costa Speciale
Costa Speciale
Italian Pilsner
4.5%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Hazy As
Hazy As
Hazy Pale Ale
5%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Huey
Huey
Mid-Strength Lager
3.8%·Mild
Find matches →
Little Dove
Little Dove
Pale Ale
6.2%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →
Orion's Belt
Orion's Belt
Oatmeal Stout
5.2%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Shred Betty
Shred Betty
Fruited IPA
5.7%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →
Single Fin
Single Fin
Blonde Ale
4.5%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →

About Extra Pale Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Extra 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 Extra Pale Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same dry, tropical, citrusy character as Side Track will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →Explore all Extra Pale Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse Australia beers →