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West Coast IPA

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Pine, ripe citrus and tropical aromas lead, followed by a grapefruit-zest bitterness, notes of dark caramel from British Crystal malt and a floral finish with dry, woody hop notes. Five different hops shape this 7.0 % IPA, which is brewed year-round. The original West Coast IPA returned to the lineup in 2019.

ABV
7.0%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
golden7
PaceTwo or Three

AWARDS

Gold
World Beer Cup 2008
American-Style India Pale Ale
★Gold — World Beer Cup 2008 (American-Style India Pale Ale)
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
What makes this beer itself
MaltHop
pineytropicalcaramel
piney
tropical
caramel
citrusy
floral
hoppy
Aroma
The nose leads with pronounced pine and ripe citrus—grapefruit and orange peel—followed by hints of tropical fruit that suggest complex hop character.
also:clean
not found:juicy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for West Coast IPA

◎ Appearance

Pale golden hue with excellent clarity and a fine, persistent white head that clings to the glass with each sip. Bright carbonation is evident throughout, creating a lively visual presence typical of the West Coast IPA style.

pale goldencrisp carbonationpersistent head

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with pronounced pine and ripe citrus—grapefruit and orange peel—followed by hints of tropical fruit that suggest complex hop character. A subtle floral undertone emerges beneath, with underlying notes of dark caramel malt that provide gentle sweetness without overwhelming the hop-forward profile.

pinecitrus zesttropical notesfloral undertones

◐ Taste

Entry is crisp and clean, with grapefruit-zest bitterness taking center stage immediately. The mid-palate develops dark caramel and toasted malt character from the British Crystal malt, which balances the assertive hop bitterness and creates a fuller body than the ABV might suggest. The interplay between citrus, pine, and malt creates a well-structured, layered experience.

grapefruit bitternessdark caramel malthoppy and balanced

◑ Finish

The finish is dry and woody, with lingering hop bitterness that fades gradually rather than abruptly. A subtle floral quality persists in the aftertaste, leaving the palate clean and inviting another sip.

dry finishwoody hop notesclean
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
84
Appearance
80
Finish
78
Serve at 8–11°C

Serve well-chilled. Session IPAs are at their best cold — the lower ABV means less warmth to balance the hops.

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.

Drink fresh. Session IPAs are brewed to be consumed young — the hops are at their best now.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with West Coast IPA

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About IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a 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 IPA

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same piney, bitter, tropical character as West Coast IPA will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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