hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Empire Ale IPA

Tap to rate

Spicy aromas and a clean bitterness come from a generous addition of Kohatu hops in this IPA at 5.5% ABV. Speight's brought Empire back as an old favourite. It is part of the Ale House range and pours on tap only, at the Speight's Ale Houses, the first of which opened in 1999.

ABV
5.5%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
spicyhoppyspicy hop
spicy
hoppy
spicy hop
clean
tropical
citrusy
Aroma
The nose opens with pronounced spicy and peppery notes from the Kohatu hops, underscored by a clean, herbaceous character.
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Empire Ale IPA

◎ Appearance

Empire Ale presents a bright golden hue with excellent clarity and a full, persistent white head. The carbonation is lively and well-integrated, with strong Schaumhaftung that clings to the glass in defined rings as you drink.

bright goldenclearpersistent head

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with pronounced spicy and peppery notes from the Kohatu hops, underscored by a clean, herbaceous character. Subtle tropical fruit notes—stone fruit and citrus zest—emerge behind the dominant hop profile, with a supporting base of light Malz sweetness.

spicy hopcitrus zesttropical fruitherbal

◐ Taste

The palate delivers a direct, spicy bitterness on entry, balanced by a clean, moderate body that remains erfrischend throughout. The mid-palate shows layered hop character—peppery spice and a hint of tropical stone fruit—before a brisk, dry progression toward the finish.

spicy bitternessclean palatemoderate body

◑ Finish

The finish is crisp and dry, with lingering hop bitterness and residual spice that fades cleanly within a few seconds. No sweetness intrudes; the aftertaste remains hoppy and refreshing.

dry finishlingering spice
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
78
Appearance
82
Finish
75
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.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with Empire Ale IPA

More from Speight's

Gold Medal Ale
Gold Medal Ale
Ale
4%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Old Dark
Old Dark
Dark Lager
4%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Speight's Hazy Pale Ale
Speight's Hazy Pale Ale
Hazy Pale Ale
4.5%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Speight's Mid Ale
Speight's Mid Ale
Ale
2.5%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Summit Ultra
Summit Ultra
Lager
4.2%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →

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 spicy, hoppy, bitter character as Empire Ale IPA 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 New Zealand beers →