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Pseudo Sue

Toppling Goliath Brewing Company
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🌍 United States · American Pale Ale · One of 230 American Pale Ales in hopIQ

Named after the famous T. rex fossil discovered in South Dakota, Pseudo Sue is a single-hop Citra showcase — grapefruit, citrus, mango and evergreen aromatics over a clean pilsner malt backbone. Won silver at the 2016 GABF and gold at the 2018 World Beer Cup. Iowa's most iconic pale ale and the beer that put Toppling Goliath on the national map.

ABV
5.8%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
pale gold3
See all American Pale Ale alternatives →

AWARDS

Gold · 2018
World Beer Cup 2018
Gold — World Beer Cup 2018
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Lean body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Moderate bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Crisp mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

A clean close sets the character — an invitation to the next sip.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another American Pale Ale.
Hop character
citrusy
hoppy
piney
tropical
Malt character
malty
Fermentation & yeast
clean
fruity

FEATURED IN

#5 of 50The Best American Pale AlesFeatured inThe Best American Beers

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Pseudo Sue

Appearance

Pseudo Sue presents a pale golden hue with excellent clarity and bright transparency. The head forms quickly and retains with good density, leaving fine lacing on the glass as it recedes. Carbonation is lively and persistent, creating a clean, inviting pour.

pale goldenbright clarityfine lacing

Aroma

The nose leads with assertive Citra hop character—fresh grapefruit zest and tangerine give way to ripe mango and hints of pine resin. The clean pilsner malt base provides subtle support without overshadowing the citrus-forward expression. No yeast-derived esters or phenols distract; the aromatic profile remains crisp and ingredient-focused.

grapefruit, citrustropical mangoevergreen pine

Taste

Entry is bright and dry, with citrus flavors echoing the aroma—lemon and grapefruit juice notes dominate the mid-palate. Malt sweetness remains restrained, serving as ballast rather than focal point. Bitterness emerges cleanly in the mid-palate and builds to a moderate finish, providing structure without harshness.

citrus-forwardclean malt backbonebalanced bitterness

Finish

The finish is crisp and drying, with lingering grapefruit and piney notes fading over several seconds. Aftertaste remains dry and refreshing, with no cloying sweetness or harsh bite.

dry, crispcitrus fade
88
hopIQ score
Aroma
90
Taste
88
Appearance
86
Finish
84
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Pseudo Sue

Serve at 7–10°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 7–10°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 Pseudo Sue

About American Pale Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a American 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 American Pale Ale

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

Other American Pale Ales in hopIQ

Compare with another beer →Explore all American Pale Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse United States beers →