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Second Fiddle Double IPA

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Fiddlehead's flagship Double IPA arrives big and unforgiving — 8.2%, 80 IBU, and packed with dry-hop aggression. Citrus, tropical fruit, and fresh pine dominate the aroma and taste, with a light, crisp body that lets the bitterness sing without weighing you down. This is a beer for hop nerds who think "more" is the right answer to every question.

ABV
8.2%
Bitterness
Very bitter
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
golden5
PaceSipper
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
hoppycitrusyfruity
hoppy
citrusy
fruity
tropical
piney
floral
Aroma
The nose is dominated by assertive hop character with prominent citrus and tropical fruit notes that leap from the glass.
not found:juicy,caramel,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Second Fiddle Double IPA

◎ Appearance

Second Fiddle presents a bright pale golden hue with excellent clarity and a vibrant white head that demonstrates strong retention. The carbonation is crisp and effervescent, creating an inviting visual presentation characteristic of well-crafted Double IPAs.

pale goldenclearwhite headeffervescent

◌ Aroma

The nose is dominated by assertive hop character with prominent citrus and tropical fruit notes that leap from the glass. Fresh pine and resinous undertones provide an earthy complexity, while the dry-hop treatment ensures an intensely aromatic profile that announces this beer's bold intentions.

citrustropical fruitpineresinous

◐ Taste

The palate delivers a substantial hop-forward attack with grapefruit and citrus taking the lead, followed by tropical fruit character that develops mid-palate. A firm, resinous bitterness (80 IBU) provides excellent balance without overwhelming, while the medium body supports the complexity without heaviness.

hoppycitrus-forwardbitterresinous

◑ Finish

The finish is decidedly dry and clean, with lingering pine and resin notes that fade gracefully. The bitterness persists pleasantly without harshness, leaving a refreshing aftertaste that invites another sip.

drycleanlingering bitterness
87
hopIQ score
Aroma
90
Taste
86
Appearance
84
Finish
85
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 Second Fiddle Double IPA

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About Double IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Double 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 Double IPA

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

Compare with another beer →Explore all Double IPA beers in hopIQ →Browse United States beers →