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Hobsons Free IPA

Hobsons Brewery
United Kingdom·Alcohol-Free IPA
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Free IPA has been the brewery's alcohol-free beer since January 2023. It is not made in Shropshire but by a partner brewery near Warsaw, whose process keeps the beer unfiltered and unpasteurised. Light golden and slightly cloudy, it is heavily hopped: citrus and tropical fruit dominate the aroma, followed by a firm, pleasant bitterness that a little malt sweetness keeps in check. The body is light, the finish dry.

ABV
0.5%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
PaceSession
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
hoppytropicalcitrusy
hoppy
tropical
citrusy
malty
Aroma
The nose is dominated by citrus and tropical fruit characters, typical of noble hop varieties used generously in this ale-forward IPA.
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Hobsons Free IPA

◎ Appearance

Light golden in colour with a soft haze throughout, characteristic of an unfiltered and unpasteurised beer. The carbonation is moderate, supporting a fine white head that dissipates gradually. Clarity is deliberately cloudy, reflecting the brewing approach that preserves natural yeast in suspension.

light goldenhazyfine white headmoderate carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose is dominated by citrus and tropical fruit characters, typical of noble hop varieties used generously in this ale-forward IPA. Beneath the vibrant top notes lies a restrained malt foundation that does not overpower. The profile is clean and direct, with no yeast-driven esters or phenolic complexity.

citrus-forwardtropical fruitnoble hopsclean nose

◐ Taste

The palate opens with a light, crisp entry that builds into a firm, pleasant bitterness—a solid 60 IBU impression that sits front and centre. A delicate malt sweetness acts as counterbalance, preventing the beer from becoming austere or overly one-dimensional. The body remains light and approachable throughout, allowing hop character to remain the primary focus.

firm bitternesslight bodymalt sweetness balancescrisp entry

◑ Finish

The finish is dry and clean, with the bittering impression lingering pleasantly without harshness. The aftertaste fades smoothly, leaving behind citrus and a subtle mineral dryness.

dry finishlingering bitternessclean aftertaste
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
78
Appearance
76
Finish
76
Serve at 8–11°C

Serve at 8–11°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

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.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Hobsons Free IPA

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About Alcohol-Free IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Alcohol-Free 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 Alcohol-Free IPA

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

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