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The Substance Ale

Bissell Brothers Brewing Company
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🌍 United States · New England IPA · One of 42 New England IPAs in hopIQ

Bissell Brothers' precious flagship — brewed with a plethora of Pacific Northwest hop varieties, both new and time-tested. Dank, citrus-forward, and herbaceous, with a flavour profile that's just mysterious enough. Proudly brewed with 100% Maine-grown grain.

ABV
6.6%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
See all New England 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

Bone-dry finish.

A clean close sets the character — an invitation to the next sip.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another New England IPA.
Hop character
citrusy
hoppy
dank
herbal
piney
earthy
floral
Malt character
bready
Fermentation & yeast
fruity
Compare with another beer →

About New England IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a New England 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 New England IPA

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

Other New England IPAs in hopIQ

Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of The Substance Ale

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.

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for The Substance Ale

Appearance

The Substance presents a hazy golden-amber body characteristic of the New England IPA style, with soft diffusion throughout. A dense, creamy head builds readily and clings to the glass with persistent lacing. Fine carbonation creates a gentle, approachable visual presence.

hazy goldencreamy headfine carbonation

Aroma

The nose opens with assertive Pacific Northwest hop character—bright citrus zest mingles with herbaceous and piney notes that frame the profile. Underlying dank, earthy qualities add depth and intrigue, while a subtle floral whisper and light fruity undertone emerge on closer inspection. Malt remains restrained, allowing the hop complexity to command attention.

citrus zestpiney, herbaldank earth

Taste

Entry is clean and direct, with immediate hop-driven bitterness balanced by restrained malt sweetness. The mid-palate develops layered flavors—citrus and pine interweave with funky, earthy undertones and dry herbaceousness. Bitterness builds steadily without harshness, leaving the palate refreshed and engaged throughout.

hop-forwardcitrus-pine balanceclean dry

Finish

The finish is crisp and lingering, with hop bitterness and herbal dryness persisting cleanly on the aftertaste. No cloying sweetness remains—the departure is refreshingly austere.

dry, herbalpersistent bitterness
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
83
Appearance
78
Finish
80
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Food Pairing

What to eat with The Substance Ale

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

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