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Bit o' Balsam

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Citrus and pine run through this 6.5% American IPA, from its citrusy, piney hops. It is brewed with wild-crafted balsam fir tips harvested at high elevations in Vermont's Green Mountains, and the hops are Cascade, Centennial and Simcoe. The beer belongs to the brewery's Good Brews for a Cause series.

ABV
6.5%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
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
pineycitrusyhoppy
piney
citrusy
hoppy
resinous
herbal
clean
Aroma
The nose opens with prominent pine and citrus notes from the Cascade, Centennial, and Simcoe hops, layered with a distinctive resinous character from the wild-crafted balsam fir tips.
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Bit o' Balsam

◎ Appearance

Bit o' Balsam presents a clear, pale golden hue with bright translucency. A white, creamy head forms readily and displays sturdy lacing as the beer settles. The carbonation is lively and well-integrated, creating a dynamic effervescence in the glass.

pale goldenclear, brightstrong lacinglively carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with prominent pine and citrus notes from the Cascade, Centennial, and Simcoe hops, layered with a distinctive resinous character from the wild-crafted balsam fir tips. Herbal undertones emerge beneath the fruity top notes, while a clean malt backbone provides gentle structure without overwhelming the aromatic profile.

piney, resinouscitrus forwardherbal complexityclean malted base

◐ Taste

The palate delivers a balanced interplay of pine and citrus on entry, with the balsam fir contributing an earthy, resinous quality through the mid-palate. Bitterness builds moderately and remains crisp rather than harsh, supported by a light malt sweetness that prevents the finish from becoming one-dimensional. The hop character is well-defined without dominating.

piney, citrusy blendmoderate bitternessresinous finishbalanced, clean

◑ Finish

The aftertaste lingers with persistent pine and herbal notes, fading into a dry, slightly bitter conclusion. The finish is clean and brisk, leaving no residual cloyness despite the 6.5% ABV.

dry, lingeringherbal fade
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
83
Appearance
80
Finish
78
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 Bit o' Balsam

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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 piney, citrusy, hoppy character as Bit o' Balsam 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 United States beers →