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Tower X West Coast IPA

Karl Strauss Brewing Company
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🌍 United States · West Coast IPA · One of 30 West Coast IPAs in hopIQ

Karl Strauss's grand statement West Coast IPA — the beer that took Silver at World Beer Cup 2024. Piney, resinous C-hop character up front, bright citrus underneath, a firm bready malt spine, and the crisp, bone-dry finish the West Coast style demands. Tower X is what happens when a brewery decides to be great at one thing, then keeps proving it.

ABV
7.5%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
amber10
See all West Coast IPA alternatives →

AWARDS

Silver
World Beer Cup 2024
West Coast IPA
Silver — World Beer Cup 2024 (West Coast IPA)
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

Very dry and assertively bitter.

The malt sets the frame and lets the hops carry the flavour.

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
resinous
hoppy
piney
citrusy
orange
tropical
floral
Malt character
malty
Compare with another beer →

FEATURED IN

#9 of 50The Best American IPAsFeatured inThe Best IPAs in the World

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Tower X West Coast IPA

Appearance

Tower X presents a bright golden amber hue with excellent clarity and a dense, persistent white head that clings to the glass with fine lacing. The carbonation is crisp and lively, evidenced by a steady stream of small bubbles rising through the clear body. A beer of polished presentation that reflects its medal-winning craftsmanship.

golden amberclearfine lacingwell-carbonated

Aroma

The nose leads with bold, resinous C-hop character—piney and herbaceous—layered beneath bright citrus notes of orange zest and grapefruit. A subtle floral undertone adds complexity, while a light bready maltiness grounds the profile without obscuring the hop-forward nature. The aroma is clean and assertive, with no off-notes.

resinous pinebright citrusfloral undertonebready malt backdrop

Taste

Entry is crisp and bitter, with pronounced resinous hoppy character that coats the palate immediately. The mid-palate reveals citrus and subtle tropical fruit notes—mango and stone fruit—supported by a firm, bready malt spine that provides structure without sweetness. Bitterness builds steadily and remains well-integrated throughout, never harsh or astringent.

hoppy, resinouscitrus and tropicalfirm malt structureclean bitterness

Finish

The finish is bone-dry and lengthy, with lingering piney bitterness and a light citrus fade. No sweetness remains—instead, a crisp, clean aftertaste that invites another sip and typifies the West Coast IPA ideal.

dry and crisplingering bitternessclean aftertaste
88
hopIQ score
Aroma
90
Taste
90
Appearance
85
Finish
85
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Tower X West Coast IPA

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 Tower X West Coast IPA

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 Tower X West Coast IPA 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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