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Checkered Future

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Bright, juicy hop aromas and flavors with citrus, pine and tropical notes, then a smooth finish. The brewery credits cutting-edge hopping techniques and a hop bill of Centennial, CGX Idaho 7, CGX Strata, Sultana and Cryo Citra for this 7.0% IPA with 45 IBU, summed up in its own line: it takes characters to brew beer with character.

ABV
7%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter45 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
juicytropicalhoppy
juicy
tropical
hoppy
piney
citrusy
resinous
Aroma
The nose immediately showcases juicy, ripe citrus notes layered with fresh pine and a distinct tropical character from the hop bill.
also:clean
not found:floral,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Checkered Future

◎ Appearance

Checkered Future presents a bright golden hue with excellent clarity and fine carbonation evident throughout. The head forms quickly and clings to the glass with good retention, leaving a delicate lacing pattern as you drink. The overall presentation is clean and inviting, typical of a well-crafted contemporary IPA.

golden, brightfine carbonationpersistent lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose immediately showcases juicy, ripe citrus notes layered with fresh pine and a distinct tropical character from the hop bill. Centennial and Citra contribute bright grapefruit and lime aromatics, while Idaho 7 and Strata add depth with herbal pine and stone fruit complexity. The malt base remains understated, allowing the hops to dominate without any harsh resinous edge.

citrus-forwardtropical fruitfresh pinejuicy hop

◐ Taste

The palate opens with vibrant citrus and tropical stone fruit that feels full and juicy on entry. Mid-palate reveals layered hop character with pine resin and subtle herbal notes, while the 45 IBU provides measured bitterness that complements rather than overwhelms. The smooth malt backbone stays restrained, allowing the hop flavors to develop cleanly without muddiness.

citrus, tropicalmeasured bitternesssmooth malt base

◑ Finish

The finish is dry and clean, with lingering citrus and pine that fade gradually rather than abruptly. A subtle resinous warmth persists on the palate, leaving a refreshing aftertaste that invites another sip.

dry, cleanlingering citrus
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
83
Appearance
80
Finish
78
Serve at 8–11°C

Serve well-chilled. Session IPAs are at their best cold — the lower ABV means less warmth to balance the hops.

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.

Drink fresh. Session IPAs are brewed to be consumed young — the hops are at their best now.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Checkered Future

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About IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a 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 IPA

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

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