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Stray

Australia·West Coast Pilsner
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A bottom-fermented addition to the core range, introduced in early 2026 and dry-hopped with Citra, Simcoe and Amarillo. It pours a bright pale yellow. Lemon zest, grapefruit and orange open the aroma, with stone fruit, a little dried mango and pine needle behind them. The body is light and lean on a slender malt base. Bitterness is firm but controlled, and the finish is crisp and very dry.

ABV
4.6%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter35 IBU
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
pale gold3
PaceSession
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
citrusyorangehoppy
citrusy
orange
hoppy
piney
clean
tropical
Aroma
The nose opens with vibrant citrus notes of lemon zest, grapefruit, and orange, characteristic of the Citra, Simcoe, and Amarillo dry-hop blend.
also:malty
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Stray

◎ Appearance

Stray presents a bright pale yellow color that catches light with clarity and luminosity typical of the West Coast Pilsner style. The head forms quickly and maintains a fine, delicate collar with good schaumhaftung along the glass. Carbonation is visible and lively, contributing to the beer's overall sense of freshness and refinement.

bright pale yellowclearfine carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with vibrant citrus notes of lemon zest, grapefruit, and orange, characteristic of the Citra, Simcoe, and Amarillo dry-hop blend. Stone fruit undertones and hints of dried mango add complexity and warmth beneath the citrus, while a subtle pine needle note provides herbal balance and definition. The overall aromatic profile is clean, inviting, and well-integrated.

lemon zest, grapefruit, orangestone fruitpine needle

◐ Taste

The palate is lean and nimble, built on a slender malt foundation that supports rather than dominates. Bitterness is firm and present without aggression, integrating smoothly across the mid-palate and leading into a crisp, articulate finish. The citrus and stone fruit notes from the aroma carry through subtly, allowing the balance between malt delicacy and hop definition to remain the focal point.

light bodyfirm bitternesscrisp palate

◑ Finish

The finish is notably dry and clean, with lingering bitterness that fades gradually rather than abruptly. The aftertaste leaves a refreshing absence of sweetness and a lasting impression of hop-driven refinement.

dry finishpersistent bitterness
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
80
Appearance
83
Finish
80
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Stray

Serve at 4–7°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve well-chilled at 4–6°C for maximum crispness. A pilsner served too warm loses its defining snap.

Pilsner glass
Recommended for this style

The tall, narrow pilsner glass preserves carbonation and showcases the golden clarity that defines the style.

Drink fresh and cold. Pilsners do not improve with age — within 3 months of packaging is ideal.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Stray

About West Coast Pilsner

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a West Coast Pilsner?

Pilsners are crisp golden lagers with 4–5.5% ABV and IBU 25–45. Defined by spicy, floral Saaz hops over a light malt backbone — bright carbonation and a dry bitter finish.

Finding a similar West Coast Pilsner

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

Other West Coast Pilsners in hopIQ

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