hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Halfling

Smithers Brewing Company
Tap to rate
🌍 Canada · Micro IPA · One of 1 Micro IPAs in hopIQ

An IPA scaled down to a fraction of the usual strength, which is where the name comes from. The hopping carries the beer rather than the malt: citrus peel and resinous notes in the aroma, a slim pale body behind them, and a bitterness that stays moderate so the low alcohol does not read as thin. Dry and quick through the finish, built for a second glass rather than a single sipping one.

ABV
3.3%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
hopIQ take

Assertively bitter and dry.

The malt sets the frame and lets the hops carry the flavour.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Micro IPA.
Hop character
hoppy
citrusy
resinous
Fermentation & yeast
clean
Compare with another beer →

FEATURED IN

Featured inThe Best Canadian IPAs

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Halfling

Appearance

Pale golden in color with bright clarity and lively carbonation that rises in fine streams. The head forms with modest density and fades to a thin collar, leaving delicate lacing on the glass. The body remains transparent and inviting, with no haze or sediment.

pale goldenclearfine carbonationdelicate lacing

Aroma

Citrus peel and resinous hop notes dominate the nose, with bright grapefruit and lemon zest taking the lead. Underlying herbal and piney character adds depth without malt sweetness or yeast-derived aromatics. The overall impression is clean and linear, with the hops in full command.

citrus peelresinousherbalclean hop-forward

Taste

Entry is dry and snappy, with crisp hop bitterness that builds across the mid-palate. The pale Malz body stays slim and clean, allowing the resinous and citric hop character to remain the focus. Bitterness settles at a moderate level—present but restrained—so the low alcohol does not read as thin or watery.

drycrispresinous bitebalanced bitterness

Finish

The finish is short and clean, with lingering resinous and citrus notes fading quickly. No sweetness or heaviness remains; the beer feels built for a second glass rather than contemplative sipping.

dry finishquick faderesinous aftertaste
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
82
Taste
80
Appearance
76
Finish
74
+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Halfling

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 Halfling

About Micro IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Micro 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 Micro IPA

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

WHERE TO BUY

Not sure where to find Halfling? Search on:

RateBeer →Untappd →