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Route 99

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Route 99 is a West Coast IPA bathed in sunlight—clean fermentation lets the hop character speak without strain. Fresh-cut grass and pine needles open the profile, followed by a bright grapefruit edge that sharpens on the mid-palate. The body is lean and approachable, built for maximum drinkability rather than heaviness. At 6%, it lands as an afternoon beer, refreshing enough to reach for again without the alcohol weight that can flatten lighter ales. Serve at cool cellar temperature to keep the citrus notes sharp.

ABV
6%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
golden7
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
cleanpineycitrusy
clean
piney
citrusy
grassy
hoppy
resinous
Aroma
The nose opens with fresh-cut grass and herbaceous green notes, followed immediately by sharp pine needle character.
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Route 99

◎ Appearance

A bright pale golden hue catches the light with crystalline clarity. The head forms with modest volume and fine, tight bubbles that maintain a delicate Schaumkleiden around the glass walls. Carbonation is evident and well-integrated, supporting the beer's clean, inviting presentation.

pale goldcrystal clearfine carbonationpersistent lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with fresh-cut grass and herbaceous green notes, followed immediately by sharp pine needle character. Bright citrus—predominantly grapefruit zest—rises above a clean, neutral malt backdrop. The yeast performs quietly, allowing the hop aromatics to dominate without any solvent or ester distraction.

grassypine resingrapefruit zestclean fermentation

◐ Taste

Entry is crisp and lean, with citric sharpness taking the lead across the front palate. Mid-palate develops resinous hop bitterness and herbaceous piney notes that build steadily without harshness. The body remains light and dry throughout, with minimal malt sweetness—this is a hop-forward beer engineered for maximum clarity and refresh rather than fullness.

citrus-forwardpiney resinlean bodydry finish

◑ Finish

The finish is short to medium, fading cleanly into a dry, slightly bitter aftertaste. The grapefruit edge lingers briefly before dissolving, leaving the palate ready for the next sip.

drycitrus echocrisp departure
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
82
Taste
80
Appearance
78
Finish
72
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 Route 99

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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 clean, piney, citrusy character as Route 99 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 United Kingdom beers →