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Hopper Pale Ale

Madison River Brewing Company
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🌍 United States · American Pale Ale · One of 231 American Pale Ales in hopIQ

Named for the grasshopper fly — a classic dry-fly pattern on the Madison River. A balanced American pale ale with citrus and floral hop character over a clean malt body. Easy-drinking and perfectly at home on the banks of one of Montana's great blue-ribbon streams.

ABV
5.5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
pale gold3
See all American Pale Ale alternatives →
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

Balanced backbone, with every axis close to the middle.

Nothing dominates, and that is the craft — each element gets room to be tasted.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another American Pale Ale.
Hop character
hoppy
citrusy
floral
Malt character
malty
Fermentation & yeast
clean
fruity
Distinctive notes
smooth drinking
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Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Hopper Pale Ale

Appearance

Light golden hue with excellent clarity and bright translucence. The head is white and persistent, laying down fine lacing as the beer is consumed. Carbonation is visible and lively throughout the glass.

light goldenclearpersistent headbright

Aroma

The nose leads with restrained citrus and floral hop notes—lemon zest and a subtle herbal quality. Below sits a clean, understated malt base that suggests bread crust rather than caramel sweetness. The overall impression is crisp and inviting, with no oxidation or yeast-derived esters.

citrus zestfloral hopsbread maltclean

Taste

Entry is clean and malt-forward, with a light biscuit sweetness that transitions quickly into moderate hop bitterness. The mid-palate remains balanced—citrus and herbal notes emerge without overwhelming the delicate malt structure. Finish dries steadily as bitterness lengthens, leaving minimal residual sweetness.

balanced bitternesscitrus and herbsdry finishsmooth drinking

Finish

The aftertaste is dry and lightly bitter, with a lingering herbal character that fades cleanly. Refreshing and drinkable, with no harsh astringency.

dryherbal faderefreshing
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
84
Appearance
85
Finish
80
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Hopper Pale Ale

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

Serve at 7–10°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

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

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Hopper Pale Ale

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, clean, smooth-drinking character as Hopper 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

Explore all American Pale Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse United States beers →