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Atomic Torpedo

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
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🌍 United States · Imperial IPA · One of 26 Imperial IPAs in hopIQ

Launched as a double IPA at 8.2% and later raised to 9.2%, this strong member of the Torpedo family combines the resinous character of a West Coast IPA with the softer fruit of a juicy one. Cascade, Centennial, Mosaic and Magnum are layered over two-row pale and honey malt. The glass shows ripe tropical fruit, orange and grapefruit alongside sticky pine, a honeyed malt sweetness that carries the alcohol, and a moderate bitterness for the strength.

ABV
9.2%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter42 IBU
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
amber9
See all Imperial IPA alternatives →
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
Substantial body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Firm bitter edge.
mildbitter
Texture
Balanced mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

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

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Imperial IPA.
Hop character
resinous
piney
tropical
citrusy
juicy
hoppy
Malt character
honey
malty

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Atomic Torpedo

◎ Appearance

Golden amber hue with excellent clarity and bright translucence. A dense, creamy white head forms and maintains persistent lacing down the glass. Vigorous carbonation creates a lively, dynamic visual presence.

golden amberclear, brightpersistent head lacing

◌ Aroma

Ripe tropical fruit dominates the nose—pineapple and mango emerge first, followed by citrus notes of orange and grapefruit. Beneath the fruit sits a distinctive resinous pine character, with subtle herbal undertones from the Edelhopfen blend. Honey-forward Malz sweetness supports the composition without overwhelming.

ripe tropical fruitcitrus, orange peelsticky pine, resinoushoney malt sweetness

◐ Taste

The palate opens with juicy tropical fruit and bright citrus that establish the beer's character immediately. Mid-palate reveals honeyed Malz sweetness that carries the substantial 9.2% alcohol smoothly, preventing heat or harshness. A moderate, balanced bitterness—appropriate for the strength—develops and lingers without dominating the fruit-forward profile.

tropical fruit forwardcitrus bitehoneyed malt bodymoderate bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish extends with lingering citrus and pine notes that gradually fade into a clean, dry aftertaste. Residual malt sweetness and resinous hop character persist gently on the palate.

dry finishlingering citrus pine
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
83
Appearance
80
Finish
79
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Atomic Torpedo

Serve at 8–11°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 8–11°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Tulip glass
Recommended for this style

The curved shape concentrates hop aromas and supports a thick head. Essential for aromatic ales and IPAs where the nose is half the experience.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Atomic Torpedo

About Imperial IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Imperial 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 Imperial IPA

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

Other Imperial IPAs in hopIQ

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