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Midwest IPA

Great Lakes Brewing Company
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🌍 United States · American IPA · One of 390 American IPAs in hopIQ

Launched in 2024 as the brewery's everyday IPA and billed as the unofficial IPA of Midwest Nice. Triumph, Strata, Cascade and Citra hops go over a base of two-row and honey malt. It pours deep gold with a slight haze. Grapefruit, sweet orange and a little pine resin come first, backed by a berry-like note from the Strata. Honey malt adds a soft, bready sweetness in the middle, and a moderate bitterness with some citrus pith keeps the finish from turning heavy.

ABV
7%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter45 IBU
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
See all American IPA alternatives →
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
Dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Firm bitter edge.
mildbitter
Texture
Balanced mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

A clean close sets the character — an invitation to the next sip.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another American IPA.
Hop character
citrusy
piney
hoppy
Malt character
bready
honey
Distinctive notes
berry
hazy
Fermentation & yeast
clean

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Midwest IPA

◎ Appearance

Deep gold with a slight haze, indicating a modern American approach to clarity. The beer presents a pale, persistent foam that adheres well to the glass. Carbonation appears moderate and even, producing fine bubbles that sustain throughout the pour.

deep goldlightly hazygood head retention

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with bright citrus—grapefruit and sweet orange dominate the foreground, supported by subtle pine resin notes. A floral, berry-like character emerges from the Strata hop, adding depth and complexity. Beneath the hops, honey malt contributes a gentle, bready sweetness that grounds the overall aromatic profile.

grapefruit and orangeberry noteshoney malt sweetnesspine resin

◐ Taste

Entry is clean and approachable, with the citrus hop character leading into a soft, bready malt body built on two-row and honey malt. Mid-palate shows a balanced sweetness that never becomes cloying, while a moderate bitterness with distinct citrus pith develops in the center. The beer maintains good body throughout without heaviness, allowing the hop and malt interplay to remain clear.

moderate bitternesscitrus pithsoft malt body

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and relatively short, with the citrus bitterness fading to a subtle residual sweetness from the honey malt. No harsh astringency lingers; the beer leaves the palate refreshed and ready for another sip.

crisp finishrefreshing
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
78
Appearance
78
Finish
76
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Midwest IPA

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 Midwest IPA

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 citrusy, bready, berry character as Midwest IPA will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other American IPAs in hopIQ

Compare with another beer →Explore all American IPA beers in hopIQ →New to American IPA? Read our guide →Browse United States beers →