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Sundown

Back Forty Beer Company
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🌍 United States · West Coast IPA · One of 32 West Coast IPAs in hopIQ

Back Forty's West-Coast-leaning IPA — resinous piney hop character on top, bitter dry finish underneath, and just enough tropical citrus lift to keep it from turning bitter-brown. Sundown is what Back Forty pours when the sun's low and someone wants something with more spine than Devil's Staircase.

ABV
6%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter60 IBU
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
golden7
See all West Coast IPA alternatives →
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 very dry.

A trim base, a hop-led finish — the classic setup for a hop-forward beer.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another West Coast IPA.
Hop character
hoppy
piney
resinous
citrusy
tropical
orange
Compare with another beer →

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Sundown

Appearance

Sundown presents a pale golden hue with excellent clarity and bright transparency. The head forms with moderate density and holds with fine, persistent lacing that clings to the glass. Carbonation is crisp and visible, lending the beer a lively, well-defined presence.

pale goldenclearfine lacingwell-carbonated

Aroma

The nose opens with pronounced resinous and piney hop character that dominates the sensory profile. Beneath this piney foundation, tropical citrus notes emerge—orange and grapefruit—adding brightness and lift. Subtle malt undertones provide a clean, dry backbone without any caramel or sweetness.

resinous pinetropical citrusorange peelclean malt

Taste

The palate enters with bold hop bitterness that unfolds into a sustained, drying finish. Mid-palate brings forward citrus and tropical fruit character, balancing the resinous bite with subtle sweetness. The malt structure is lean and supportive, allowing hop expression to remain central without turning harsh or overly bitter-edged.

assertive bitternesscitrus-forwarddry finishcrisp backbone

Finish

The finish is dry and persistent, with lingering resinous hop residue and a clean, slightly bitter aftertaste. No astringency; the bitterness fades smoothly into a refreshing, mineral-like dryness.

drylingering resinclean aftertaste
80
hopIQ score
Aroma
82
Taste
81
Appearance
78
Finish
77
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Sundown

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 Sundown

About West Coast IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a West Coast 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 West Coast IPA

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

Other West Coast IPAs in hopIQ

Explore all West Coast IPA beers in hopIQ →New to West Coast IPA? Read our guide →Browse United States beers →

WHERE TO BUY

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