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Susan

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Dank and tropical fruit mark this Vermont IPA, brewed with hops from the Yakima Valley and Riwaka hops from New Zealand, with the house ale yeast and kept in stainless steel, at 6%. Susan (1891–1976) was the grandfather's sister, and the beer carries her name in the Ancestral series.

ABV
6.0%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
golden7
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
What makes this beer itself
MaltHop
tropicaldankhoppy
tropical
dank
hoppy
fruity
clean
citrusy
Aroma
The nose opens with assertive herbal and resinous hop character, layered with distinct tropical fruit notes—mango and passionfruit—alongside citrus peel.
not found:juicy,caramel,sour,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Susan

◎ Appearance

Susan presents a pale golden hue with excellent clarity and bright luminosity. The head forms quickly and clings to the glass with fine, persistent lacing. Carbonation is evident and well-integrated, creating a lively visual presence.

pale goldenclear and brightstrong head retentionfine lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with assertive herbal and resinous hop character, layered with distinct tropical fruit notes—mango and passionfruit—alongside citrus peel. Yakima Valley and Riwaka hops meld into a cohesive, dank profile with subtle pine undertones. The house ale yeast remains restrained, allowing the hop expression to dominate.

dank and resinoustropical fruitherbal citruspiney

◐ Taste

Entry is clean and juicy, with tropical and citrus flavors unfolding across the palate. Mid-palate showcases hop bitterness at moderate intensity, supported by a lean malt structure that stays crisp without sweetness. The finish builds gradually, with resinous hop notes lingering and balancing the 60 IBU deftly against the beer's light body.

juicy tropicalcitrus forwardmoderate bitternessclean malt base

◑ Finish

The aftertaste is dry and persistent, carrying resinous hop and citrus peel through a refreshing exit. Bitterness fades gracefully, leaving the palate crisp and primed for the next sip.

dryresinous aftertasterefreshing
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
81
Appearance
85
Finish
80
Serve at 8–11°C

Serve at 8–11°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

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.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Susan

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About American IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a American 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 American IPA

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

Compare with another beer →Explore all American IPA beers in hopIQ →New to American IPA? Read our guide →Browse United States beers →