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Photon

Equilibrium Brewery
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🌍 United States · Hazy Pale Ale · One of 44 Hazy Pale Ales in hopIQ

Photon is the pale ale of the core range and the recipe from which several of the brewery's stronger beers were scaled up. It is hopped with Pacific Northwest varieties and pours a very hazy orange. The nose blends apricot, tangerine, peach, mango and pineapple; on the palate soft tropical fruit meets hop resin and a light biscuit note from the malt. The body is soft and pillowy, and a rounded bitterness with a touch of dryness closes each sip.

ABV
4.8%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
SRM
golden8
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Medium body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Firm bitter edge.
mildbitter
Texture
Crisp mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

Even from Body through Texture, the taste structure is evenly distributed.

Harmony over emphasis — the beer is built for each note to sit at the same volume.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Hazy Pale Ale.
No character signal.

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Photon

◎ Appearance

Photon pours a hazy orange, with fine suspended particles creating a soft, diffuse appearance throughout the glass. The head forms quickly and maintains reasonable retention, clinging to the glass in patchy lacing. Carbonation is gentle and integrated, supporting the pillow-like body without aggressive bubbling.

hazy orangesoft headfine suspensiongentle carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with a vibrant blend of stone fruit and tropical notes—apricot, tangerine, and peach lead, followed by waves of mango and pineapple. Pacific Northwest hop varieties deliver bright citrus esters without harshness, layered beneath the fruit-forward character. Light malt sweetness provides a subtle backdrop without dominating the aromatic profile.

apricot, tangerine, peachtropical fruitbright citrus hopssoft malt base

◐ Taste

The palate opens softly with tropical fruit character—mango and stone fruit notes meet gently assertive hop resin in the mid-palate. A light, biscuity malt note emerges quietly, supporting rather than competing with the hop expression. Bitterness is rounded and well-integrated, finishing with a touch of dryness that neither dominates nor retreats.

tropical fruit, resinsoft bodylight biscuitbalanced bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and moderately brief, with lingering hop dryness and a faint fruit echo. Aftertaste remains dry without astringency, inviting another sip.

dry, cleanmoderate length
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
82
Taste
78
Appearance
76
Finish
72
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Photon

Serve at 8–11°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 8–11°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Photon

About Hazy Pale Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Hazy Pale Ale?

Pale Ales balance malt sweetness with moderate hop character at 4.5–6% ABV and IBU 20–40. Approachable with floral, citrus or earthy notes over a biscuit malt base.

Finding a similar Hazy Pale Ale

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

Other Hazy Pale Ales in hopIQ

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