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Axe Man

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Axe Man is what Surly calls perhaps its most acclaimed IPA: remarkably hop-forward and aromatic, tagged Dank, Hoppy and Loud. Citra and Mosaic lead, with Warrior for bittering. Straw-gold, 7.2% ABV, brewed at 16 degrees Plato from Golden Promise, 2-row, acidulated malt and Carafoam, high in bitterness. The brewery also reports a Best in Show at the Minnesota Brewers Cup.

ABV
7.2%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter
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
hoppydankcitrusy
hoppy
dank
citrusy
resinous
clean
tropical
Aroma
The nose is immediately assertive and hop-forward, dominated by citrus and resinous notes from Citra and Mosaic hops.
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Axe Man

◎ Appearance

Axe Man presents a bright straw-gold hue with excellent clarity and vivid luminosity. The head is dense and resilient, clinging to the glass rim with persistent lacing that marks each sip. Carbonation is lively and well-integrated, generating fine bubbles that sustain the foam structure throughout the tasting.

straw-goldclearpersistent headwell-carbonated

◌ Aroma

The nose is immediately assertive and hop-forward, dominated by citrus and resinous notes from Citra and Mosaic hops. Grapefruit zest and pine combine with subtle dank, earthy undertones that lend complexity and depth. A clean malt base emerges faintly beneath the aromatic intensity, providing gentle sweetness without intrusion.

citrus-forwarddank resingrapefruit and pineclean malt

◐ Taste

Entry is bold and hoppy, with immediate citrus impact that transitions to tropical and stone-fruit character mid-palate. The bitterness is pronounced at 60 IBU, building steadily and sustaining without harshness—dry, resinous, and clean on the back of the tongue. Golden Promise and 2-row malz provide a soft, slightly sweet foundation that prevents the beer from becoming austere.

robust hop bitternesstropical citrusdry resinous finishbalanced malt

◑ Finish

The finish is crisp and lengthy, with lingering hop bitterness and resinous dryness that persists on the palate for several minutes. No harshness remains—only a clean, refreshing aftertaste that invites the next sip.

long, dry finishresinous aftertaste
88
hopIQ score
Aroma
91
Taste
87
Appearance
89
Finish
84
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 Axe Man

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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 hoppy, bitter, dank character as Axe Man 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 →