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The Heart

Hop Nation Brewing Co.
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🌍 Australia · Pale Ale · One of 175 Pale Ales in hopIQ

The Heart is the pale ale at the centre of the Footscray brewery's range. It pours golden to straw-coloured with a white head that leaves lacing on the glass. Citrus and floral hop aromas lead, with notes of citrus peel and blossom over a light, bready malt base. The palate is crisp and balanced, with enough hop presence to stay lively without pushing the bitterness forward. The finish is clean and refreshing.

ABV
4.6%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
See all Pale Ale alternatives →

AWARDS

Gold · 2023
Australian International Beer Awards
Gold — Australian International Beer Awards
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Medium body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Moderate bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Crisp mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

Even from Body through Texture, the taste structure is evenly distributed.

Harmony over emphasis — the beer is built for each note to sit at the same volume.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Pale Ale.
Hop character
citrusy
floral
hoppy
Malt character
bready
malty
Fermentation & yeast
clean

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for The Heart

Appearance

The Heart presents a bright golden to straw hue, pouring clear with good transparency. A white head forms with solid retention, leaving fine lacing down the glass as it settles. The carbonation appears well-integrated, suggesting a lively but controlled fizz on the palate.

golden-strawwhite headclearfine lacing

Aroma

The nose leads with pronounced citrus notes—bright lemon and grapefruit peel—layered with delicate floral characteristics reminiscent of wildflower and herbal tea. Beneath these hop-driven aromas lies a light, bready malt foundation that grounds the profile without competing for attention.

citrus peelfloralherbalbready malt

Taste

Entry is crisp and clean, with citrus hop flavors establishing early presence. The mid-palate maintains balance between hop liveliness and a soft, subtle malt sweetness, building a refreshing character without assertive bitterness. Bitterness arrives as a supporting element rather than a dominant feature, keeping the beer approachable and drinkable.

crispbalancedcitrus-forwardrestrained bitterness

Finish

The finish is clean and dry, with citrus and hop notes fading gracefully into a light, refreshing aftertaste. No harshness or astringency lingers; the beer leaves the palate ready for the next sip.

cleandryrefreshing
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
78
Appearance
82
Finish
75
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of The Heart

Serve at 7–10°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Cold enough to sharpen the hop aroma without numbing the palate. Around 7–9°C keeps the citrus and pine vivid without losing bitterness definition.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Drink fresh — hop aroma fades fast. Best within 3 months of canning or bottling.

Food Pairing

What to eat with The Heart

About Pale Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Pale Ale?

India Pale Ales are hop-forward ales with ABV typically 5.5–7.5% and IBU 40–70+. Bold citrus, pine or tropical aromas alongside firm bitterness and a clean dry finish.

Finding a similar Pale Ale

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

Other Pale Ales in hopIQ

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