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Hop Knot IPA

Four Peaks Brewing Company
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🌍 United States · West Coast IPA · One of 56 West Coast IPAs in hopIQ

Gold at the 2012 World Beer Cup, silver at the 2013 GABF. Five American hop varieties woven in at seven different intervals for bold, interlocking hop flavor with crisp clean bitterness. The grapefruit-forward West Coast IPA that launched Four Peaks into national recognition.

ABV
6.7%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden7
See all West Coast IPA alternatives →

AWARDS

Gold · 2012
World Beer Cup 2012
Gold — World Beer Cup 2012
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Medium body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Bone-dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Sharp bitter finish.
mildbitter
Texture
Balanced mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

Very dry and assertively bitter.

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

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another West Coast IPA.
Hop character
citrusy
hoppy
orange
herbal
Fermentation & yeast
clean
fruity

FEATURED IN

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

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Hop Knot IPA

Appearance

Hop Knot presents a bright, translucent golden hue characteristic of the West Coast IPA style. The beer displays excellent clarity with a fine, persistent white head that clings to the glass with visible lacing. Carbonation is lively and well-integrated, lending visual vivacity to the pour.

bright goldcrystal clearpersistent head

Aroma

The nose leads with assertive grapefruit and orange citrus notes, a direct expression of the five American hop varieties deployed throughout the brew. Herbal undertones and a subtle floral character emerge beneath the dominant citrus, while a clean malt backbone provides gentle support without competing for attention.

grapefruit forwardcitrus zestherbal lift

Taste

Entry is crisp and clean, with citrus flavors—orange and grapefruit—establishing themselves immediately on the palate. The mid-palate develops a balanced bitterness that feels composed rather than harsh, allowing fruit character to remain prominent. A dry finish follows naturally, with herbal and slightly piney notes settling into a lean, refreshing aftertaste.

orange, grapefruitbalanced bitternessdry finish

Finish

The finish is clean and moderately long, with lingering bitterness and citrus oil persisting pleasantly on the palate. No harsh edges or astringency interrupt the departure.

citrus lingercrisp departure
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
83
Appearance
80
Finish
78
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Hop Knot 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 Hop Knot IPA

About West Coast IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a West Coast 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 West Coast IPA

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

Other West Coast IPAs in hopIQ

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