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Kush

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Ritual Lab's American IPA — winner of 1st place Beer of the Year 2022 (Birraio dell'Anno). Hop-forward with a vibrant tropical and citrus character and a clean, assertive bitter finish at 55 IBUs. The core IPA expression from Italy's most decorated craft brewery of 2020–2022, representing the apex of Rome's hop-driven brewing scene.

ABV
6.5%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden5
PaceTwo or Three
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
tropicalhoppyclean
tropical
hoppy
clean
fruity
citrusy
Aroma
The nose leads with vibrant tropical stone fruit and citrus notes—pineapple, mango, and grapefruit peel dominate the profile.
not found:juicy,caramel,sour,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Kush

◎ Appearance

Kush presents a pale golden hue with excellent clarity and bright luminosity. The head is stable and well-retained, displaying fine Schaumkleiden along the glass as it recedes. Carbonation is crisp and evident, creating a lively, effervescent character.

pale goldencrystal clearpersistent headlively carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with vibrant tropical stone fruit and citrus notes—pineapple, mango, and grapefruit peel dominate the profile. Noble hop character is immediately apparent without being aggressive, complemented by a subtle clean malt foundation that provides backbone rather than distraction. The aromatic intensity is assertive yet balanced, inviting closer investigation.

tropical fruitcitrus peelnoble hopsclean malt base

◐ Taste

The palate opens with a smooth, hop-forward entry that carries tropical and citrus flavors through the mid-palate with clarity and precision. A clean, assertive bitterness builds steadily, integrating well without harshness. The malt provides just enough sweetness to anchor the composition, allowing the Edelhopfen character to remain the primary focus throughout.

hop-driventropical-citrus blendclean bitternesswell-integrated

◑ Finish

The finish is crisp and dry, with lingering bitterness that fades gradually to reveal subtle citrus notes on the aftertaste. No astringency or harshness remains—instead, a refreshing, mineral-like quality completes the drinking experience.

dry finishcitrus aftertasterefreshing
88
hopIQ score
Aroma
90
Taste
88
Appearance
85
Finish
85
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 Kush

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About American IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a American 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 American IPA

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

Compare with another beer →Explore all American IPA beers in hopIQ →New to American IPA? Read our guide →Browse Italy beers →