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Space Rock

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A floral, orange-peel aroma leads into a complex citrus flavor and an almost grasslike bitterness. Space Rock is brewed gluten-reduced, and the brewery says not to be put off by that, whether you watch your gluten intake or not. American pale ale from Short's in Bellaire, Michigan, at 5% ABV and 55 IBU.

ABV
5%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter55 IBU
Citrus 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
floralcitrusyorange
floral
citrusy
orange
grassy
hoppy
clean
Aroma
The nose leads with pronounced floral and citrus notes, prominently featuring orange peel and herbal hop character.
also:malty
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Space Rock

◎ Appearance

Space Rock presents a bright golden hue with excellent clarity and a fine, persistent head. The carbonation is lively, producing a steady stream of bubbles and crisp visual effervescence. Lacing clings pleasantly to the glass as the beer is consumed.

golden, clearfine carbonationpersistent lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with pronounced floral and citrus notes, prominently featuring orange peel and herbal hop character. A subtle grassy undertone emerges beneath the brightness, while clean malt supports the overall aromatic profile without dominating.

floral hopsorange peelherbal grassiness

◐ Taste

Citrus and orange flavors dominate the palate, delivering crisp complexity through the mid-range. The bitterness is structured and nearly grassy, building steadily without harsh edges. A clean malt backbone provides balance and ensures the beer remains refreshing despite the hoppy character.

bright citrusgrassy bitternessclean malt foundation

◑ Finish

The finish is dry and lingering, with bitter and herbal notes persisting pleasantly on the palate. Overall, the beer remains crisp and quenching through the aftertaste.

dry, lingeringherbal fade
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
83
Appearance
82
Finish
79
Serve at 7–10°C

Serve at 7–10°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Space Rock

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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 floral, citrusy, bitter character as Space Rock will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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