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Highwire American Pale Ale

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Magic Rock's Highwire comes from Yorkshire, not California, but West Coast DNA runs through it: Citra and Columbus hops bring grapefruit, tropical stone fruit, and a herbal-floral edge that's impossible to ignore. Medium body, moderate bitterness, bone-dry finish — this is hop-forward but never harsh.

ABV
5.5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden5
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
hoppycitrusytropical
hoppy
citrusy
tropical
floral
clean
fruity
Aroma
The nose is dominated by vibrant citrus and tropical fruit character from the Citra hops, with prominent grapefruit and orange notes leading the way.
also:orange
not found:juicy,caramel,sour,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Highwire American Pale Ale

◎ Appearance

A bright, pale golden hue with excellent clarity and bright luminosity typical of the style. The beer presents a clean, white head with good retention and fine carbonation that creates an inviting visual presentation.

pale goldenclearwhite headwell-carbonated

◌ Aroma

The nose is dominated by vibrant citrus and tropical fruit character from the Citra hops, with prominent grapefruit and orange notes leading the way. Floral elements and subtle pine undertones add complexity, while the Columbus hops contribute a resinous backbone without overwhelming the delicate balance.

grapefruitcitrus-forwardfloraltropical fruit

◐ Taste

Entry is crisp and clean with a smooth malt backbone that provides subtle grain sweetness. The mid-palate showcases bright citrus and hoppy character with pine and herbal notes, leading into a distinctly bitter finish that's well-integrated and refreshing rather than harsh.

crispcitrus-drivenhoppydry bitter finish

◑ Finish

The finish is dry and clean with lingering bitterness that pleasantly fades without overstaying its welcome. The aftertaste leaves a crisp, refreshing impression that invites another sip.

dryclean finishlingering bitterness
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
81
Appearance
80
Finish
81
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 Highwire American 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, dry character as Highwire American 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

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