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Nelson IPA

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Punchy gooseberry, sharp grapefruit and an abundance of tropical zest, with lime zest on top, on a smooth, golden malt base. Oats add body and texture. A reimagining of one of Moonwake's very first beers from 2021, built around Nelson Sauvin, a New Zealand hop that shares a synergy with Sauvignon blanc.

ABV
6%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
citrusytropicalfruity
citrusy
tropical
fruity
hoppy
malty
tart
Aroma
The nose leads with distinctive gooseberry and sharp grapefruit from the Nelson Sauvin hop, followed by vivid tropical notes—passion fruit and citrus zest dominate.
also:clean
not found:juicy,caramel,sour,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Nelson IPA

◎ Appearance

A bright, clear golden hue with excellent transparency. The head forms quickly and clings persistently to the glass walls, leaving distinct lacework as you drink. Carbonation presents as fine and well-integrated, creating a lively, refined visual presence.

bright goldenexcellent claritypersistent lacingfine carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with distinctive gooseberry and sharp grapefruit from the Nelson Sauvin hop, followed by vivid tropical notes—passion fruit and citrus zest dominate. Beneath these bright top notes sits a soft, oat-derived body that grounds the bouquet without overwhelming the fruit-forward character.

gooseberry, grapefruittropical fruitlime zestclean, fruit-led

◐ Taste

Entry is smooth and inviting, with ripe citrus and stone fruit settling across the palate. The mid-palate develops a delicate tartness alongside a gentle herbaceous hop bitterness that stays restrained at 60 IBU. The oat adjunct contributes a creamy mouthfeel and textural roundness that balances the assertive fruit and hop character.

citrus-forwardtropical stone fruitcreamy bodyrestrained bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and medium in length, with grapefruit and lime lingering pleasantly without astringency. A whisper of hop dryness fades into a smooth, satisfying aftertaste.

citrus persistenceclean exit
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
82
Appearance
85
Finish
78
Serve at 8–11°C

Serve well-chilled. Session IPAs are at their best cold — the lower ABV means less warmth to balance the hops.

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.

Drink fresh. Session IPAs are brewed to be consumed young — the hops are at their best now.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Nelson IPA

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About IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a 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 IPA

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

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