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Ninth Wave

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A hop-led pale ale in which American hops are added at several points during fermentation. It pours golden and slightly hazy with a frothy white head. Citrus zest, tropical fruit and a floral hop note mark the aroma; orange and grapefruit lead the palate, with a touch of pine behind them. The body is soft, and the beer finishes clean and dry. The name refers to the wave that, in Irish legend, marked the boundary of the known world off the west coast.

ABV
5.4%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter36 IBU
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
hoppycitrusyclean
hoppy
citrusy
clean
floral
orange
tropical
Aroma
The nose leads with bright citrus zest—predominantly orange and grapefruit—layered with tropical stone fruit notes that suggest mango or passionfruit.
also:piney
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Ninth Wave

◎ Appearance

Ninth Wave pours a clear golden hue with a slight haze from suspended yeast and proteins. A frothy white head forms readily and clings to the glass with fine, persistent lacing. The carbonation appears moderate and well-integrated, lending the beer visual liveliness without aggression.

golden, slightly hazyfrothy white headfine lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with bright citrus zest—predominantly orange and grapefruit—layered with tropical stone fruit notes that suggest mango or passionfruit. Beneath these fruit-forward characteristics sits a floral, refined hop presence typical of noble-style American varieties, with a soft herbal undertone. No prominent malt sweetness or yeast-derived esters distract from the hop-driven character.

citrus zesttropical fruitfloral hop

◐ Taste

Entry is clean and refreshing, with orange and grapefruit flavors establishing themselves immediately on the palate. Mid-palate reveals a subtle pine resinousness that anchors the citrus without overwhelming it, while the soft body allows these flavors to move freely across the tongue. Bitterness is restrained at 36 IBU, providing structure rather than harshness, and resolves gracefully into the finish.

orange, grapefruitsubtle pinesoft body

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and dry, with lingering citrus notes fading smoothly rather than abruptly. No cloying sweetness or astringency remains; the aftertaste is brief and pleasant, inviting another sip.

clean, drylingering citrus
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
82
Taste
80
Appearance
75
Finish
73
Serve at 7–10°C

Cold enough to sharpen the hop aroma without numbing the palate. Around 7–9°C keeps the citrus and pine vivid without losing bitterness definition.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Drink fresh — hop aroma fades fast. Best within 3 months of canning or bottling.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Ninth Wave

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About Pale Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Pale Ale?

India Pale Ales are hop-forward ales with ABV typically 5.5–7.5% and IBU 40–70+. Bold citrus, pine or tropical aromas alongside firm bitterness and a clean dry finish.

Finding a similar Pale Ale

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

Compare with another beer →Explore all Pale Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse Ireland beers →