hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Crafty Fox

Hook Norton Brewery
Tap to rate
🌍 United Kingdom · IPA · One of 41 IPAs in hopIQ

Crafty Fox pulls off a contradiction: it wears the black of a stout and delivers the hop character of an IPA. The malt brings dark fruit and a whisper of toast, while hops and double-roasted malt keep the bitterness present without overwhelming. Smooth and easy despite the colour, it packs full flavour into a session-strength frame. A black ale that tastes lighter than it looks.

ABV
4.4%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
See all IPA alternatives →

AWARDS

Silver Medal · 2023
International Beer Challenge Taste Awards
Silver Medal — International Beer Challenge Taste Awards
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
hopIQ take

Assertively bitter and dry.

The grain stays in the background so every note the beer offers can come from the hops.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another IPA.
Malt character
roasted
malty
toasty
Distinctive notes
dark fruit
smooth drinking
Hop character
hoppycitrusy
Fermentation & yeast
fruity
Compare with another beer →

FEATURED IN

#5 of 50The Best British IPAsFeatured inThe Best IPAs in the World

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Crafty Fox

Appearance

Deep black to dark brown in the glass, with a density that suggests substance despite the modest alcohol level. The head is cream-coloured and persistent, settling into fine Schaumkleiden around the rim. Carbonation is gentle and well-integrated, contributing to a smooth visual presence.

deep blackpersistent headsmooth carbonation

Aroma

The nose leads with earthy, herbal hop character balanced against roasted malt—dark grain, a hint of cocoa, and subtle stone fruit notes emerge as it opens. There is warmth without sharp edges, a whisper of toast alongside the deeper roasted tones. The overall impression is restrained and inviting rather than aggressive.

herbal hopsroasted graindark fruitbalanced

Taste

Entry is smooth and approachable, with dark fruit—plum and raisin—mixing with the roasted malt base. Mid-palate develops a subtle bitterness and citrus edge from the hop charge, while the double-roasted character adds depth without roughness. The beer carries full flavour across a lean alcohol frame, closing with a gentle dry character.

dark fruit forwardclean bitternessfull-flavouredsessionable

Finish

The finish is dry and lingering, with roasted notes settling into a faint citrus bite. The aftertaste is clean, leaving no cloying sweetness.

dry finishroasted aftertaste
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
76
Taste
80
Appearance
77
Finish
76
+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Crafty Fox

Serve at 8–11°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

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

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.

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

Food Pairing

What to eat with Crafty Fox

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 hoppy, roasted, smooth-drinking character as Crafty Fox will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other IPAs in hopIQ

Explore all IPA beers in hopIQ →New to IPA? Read our guide →Browse United Kingdom beers →

WHERE TO BUY

Not sure where to find Crafty Fox? Search on:

RateBeer →Untappd →