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Crushing Blows

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Crushing Blows is a New England-style session IPA at 4.2 % and, next to the flagship pale, one of the two core hoppy beers from Neon Raptor. It is hopped with Citra, Simcoe and Chinook, which the brewery calls juicy; an earlier description speaks of a refreshing citrus punch. Lemon and grapefruit lead, followed by a little tropical fruit and a light piney edge. Oats and wheat keep the body soft and the appearance hazy despite the low strength.

ABV
4.2%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
golden6
PaceSession
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
hoppyjuicywheat
hoppy
juicy
wheat
citrusy
piney
tropical
Aroma
The nose opens with bright citrus—lemon zest and pink grapefruit—followed by a subtle tropical undertone of stone fruit and light pine resin.
not found:floral,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Crushing Blows

◎ Appearance

Hazy golden-amber hue with a fine, persistent white head. The cloudiness stems from the oats and wheat in the grist, creating a characteristic New England-style turbidity that catches the light pleasantly. Carbonation is moderate and even, with good head retention and delicate lacing down the glass.

golden-amberhazy, oat-drivenfine white headmoderate carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with bright citrus—lemon zest and pink grapefruit—followed by a subtle tropical undertone of stone fruit and light pine resin. The Citra, Simcoe, and Chinook blend works in concert, delivering a fresh, juicy character without harshness. Malt remains in the background, offering a soft, bready base that frames rather than dominates the hop presentation.

citrus, lemon, grapefruittropical fruit, pineyjuicy, erfrischendsoft maltiness

◐ Taste

The palate opens with crisp citrus bite—lemon and grapefruit leading—that carries into the mid-palate with a touch of tropical stone fruit complexity. The 40 IBU bitterness is clean and measured, settling into a light pine edge that never becomes harsh. The oats and wheat deliver a soft, almost creamy mouthfeel that belies the beer's low 4.2% ABV, creating excellent balance between hop character and refreshment.

citrus-forwardlight piney bitternesssoft, creamy bodytropical fruit notes

◑ Finish

The finish is dry and brisk, with the citrus and pine fading cleanly into a whisper of grain sweetness. Aftertaste remains short and refreshing, inviting another sip without lingering fatigue.

dry, crisp finishrefreshing aftertaste
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
78
Appearance
76
Finish
76
Serve at 7–10°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 Crushing Blows

More from Neon Raptor Brewing Co.

Retro Racer
Retro Racer
Pale Ale
4.6% · 35 IBU
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The Terminator
The Terminator
Hazy IPA
6% · 50 IBU
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About Session IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Session 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 Session IPA

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

Compare with another beer →Explore all Session IPA beers in hopIQ →Browse United Kingdom beers →