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Sidekick IPA

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Sidekick is an IPA in the classic American mould and joined the core range in 2024. Centennial brings pine and floral notes, Citra bright citrus, with Ekuanot alongside them. The hop character is resinous with a piney undertone, set against a malt backbone of pale, Munich and caramel malt. At 46 IBU the bitterness is firm and the finish clean and bitter. In this range it is the resinous counterpart to the softer, fruit-led IPAs.

ABV
5.3%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter46 IBU
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
pineyresinoushoppy
piney
resinous
hoppy
citrusy
floral
malty
Aroma
The nose leads with pronounced pine and floral character from Centennial hops, grounded by resinous undertones.
also:clean,caramel
not found:juicy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Sidekick IPA

◎ Appearance

Sidekick presents a light amber hue with excellent clarity and bright transparency. The head is dense and persistent, clinging to the glass in fine lacing as the beer is consumed. Carbonation is crisp and well-integrated, evident in a steady stream of fine bubbles rising through the clear body.

light amberclearpersistent headfine lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with pronounced pine and floral character from Centennial hops, grounded by resinous undertones. Citra brings distinct bright citrus notes that sit alongside herbal and slightly woody impressions. A subtle malt foundation of pale and Munich grain adds warmth without obscuring the assertive hop presence.

pine, floralresinouscitrus-forwardherbal-woody

◐ Taste

The palate opens with clean hop bitterness that builds steadily across the mid-palate, supported by the 46 IBU charge. Caramel and pale malt provide a balanced sweetness that tempers the resinous bite without softening the beer's dry character. The finish transitions from initial bitterness into a lingering piney dryness with mineral edges.

firm bitternessresinousmalt-balancedclean palate

◑ Finish

The aftertaste is notably dry and bitter, with pine resins persisting long on the palate. A clean, mineral-tinged conclusion leaves no residual sweetness, characteristic of a classically-styled American IPA.

dry finishlingering bitternessclean departure
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
79
Taste
77
Appearance
80
Finish
76
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 Sidekick IPA

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About American IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a American 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 American IPA

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

Compare with another beer →Explore all American IPA beers in hopIQ →New to American IPA? Read our guide →Browse Ireland beers →