hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Head Stock

Tap to rate

A clear, deep gold West Coast IPA with pine and grapefruit at the front. Behind them sit apricot and other tree fruit, a resinous edge, and a cereal maltiness that gives the hops something to push against. Bitterness is firm without turning harsh, the body medium, and the finish long and dry with lemon peel and a light herbal note.

ABV
7%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
golden7
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
resinouspineyfruity
resinous
piney
fruity
citrusy
hoppy
malty
Aroma
Pine and grapefruit lead immediately on the nose, delivering the classic Edelhopfen punch expected of the style.
also:herbal
not found:juicy,caramel,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Head Stock

◎ Appearance

A bright, crystalline deep gold presentation with excellent clarity. The head forms cleanly and maintains good adhesion to the glass, displaying fine carbonation that rises steadily. The color sits at the amber-leaning end of the gold spectrum, characteristic of West Coast tradition.

deep goldcrystal clearfine carbonationpersistent head

◌ Aroma

Pine and grapefruit lead immediately on the nose, delivering the classic Edelhopfen punch expected of the style. Behind this assertive citrus-resin foundation lie softer notes of apricot and stone fruit, balanced by a subtle cereal sweetness from the Malz that prevents the aroma from becoming one-dimensional. A light herbal undertone adds complexity without obscuring the hop character.

pineycitrus-forwardresinousapricot notes

◐ Taste

The palate entry is clean and dry, with firm bitterness that grips without harshness. The mid-palate shows the promised interplay between resinous hop bitterness and a supporting cereal Malz foundation, allowing the tree fruit character to develop clearly. The body remains medium throughout, never becoming heavy or cloying, and the dry character persists from start to finish.

firm bitternessdry palatefruity mid-palatebalanced

◑ Finish

The finish extends long and dry, dominated by lemon peel zest and a receding herbal note that lingers pleasantly. The bitterness fades gradually rather than dropping sharply, leaving the mouth clean and thirst-inducing.

long dry finishlemon peelherbal fade
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
82
Appearance
85
Finish
80
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.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with Head Stock

More from Nickel Brook Brewing Co.

Black Light
Black Light
Stout
4.5%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Cause and Effect
Cause and No Effect
Cause and No Effect
Alcohol-Free Blonde Ale
0%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Cold Blooded
Cold Blooded
Hazy IPA
7%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →
Cucumber & Lime Gose
Jam Stand
Jam Stand
Fruited Berliner Weisse
4%·Mild
Find matches →
Naughty Neighbour
Naughty Neighbour
American Pale Ale
4.9%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Nickel Brook Lager
Nickel Brook Lager
Lager
4.1%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →

About West Coast IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a West Coast 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 West Coast IPA

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same resinous, piney, dry character as Head Stock will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →Explore all West Coast IPA beers in hopIQ →New to West Coast IPA? Read our guide →Browse Canada beers →