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ControversiALE

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Earthy, pine-laced aroma meets zesty grapefruit and hop marmalade. It goes down easy like a pale ale, but with the depth and complexity of an American IPA with multiple hop additions. Simcoe is the only hop, featured exclusively. 6.6% ABV, 65 IBU. As for the name, the brewery only says the beer has a history.

ABV
6.6%
Bitterness
Very bitter65 IBU
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
PaceTwo or Three
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
earthypineyhoppy
earthy
piney
hoppy
citrusy
resinous
clean
Aroma
The nose leads with a prominent earthy character and dense pine resin, anchored by the Simcoe hop's distinctive profile.
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for ControversiALE

◎ Appearance

A pale golden hue with excellent clarity and a fine white head that builds confidently with pour. The carbonation is brisk, evident in steady streams of bubbles rising through the glass. Head retention is solid, leaving delicate lacing on the glass that persists through the drink.

pale goldenclearfine white headwell-carbonated

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with a prominent earthy character and dense pine resin, anchored by the Simcoe hop's distinctive profile. Zesty grapefruit notes emerge alongside a subtle hop marmalade sweetness, creating a fresh and inviting opening. Underneath lies a light malt foundation that provides balance without competing for attention.

earthy pineresinous Simcoegrapefruit zesthop marmalade

◐ Taste

The palate opens clean and crisp, with the earthy and piney character translating seamlessly from nose to mouth. Citrus brightness develops mid-palate, complemented by a dry, resinous hop bitterness that builds steadily without overwhelming. The malt backbone remains subtle and supportive, allowing the 65 IBU to sit comfortably in the beer's structure without harsh edges.

smooth-drinkingearthy-piney mid-palategrapefruit bitternessdry finish

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and persistent, with pine and resin lingering gently on the palate. Bitterness fades to a dry, hoppy aftertaste that encourages another sip without fatigue.

lingering pinedry hoppy
80
hopIQ score
Aroma
82
Taste
81
Appearance
78
Finish
77
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 ControversiALE

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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 earthy, piney, smooth-drinking character as ControversiALE 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 United States beers →