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Crimson Pistil

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Passionfruit, tart berry, grapefruit zest and summer meadow notes come together in this IPA, which pairs hops with hibiscus and is timed to early summer, when hop bines grow up to 6 inches a day. Azacca, Nugget and Vic Secret are the hops, on Pilsner and Vienna malts, fermented with house ale yeast. 6.2% ABV and 52 IBU, a Brewery Only release from Hershey, Pennsylvania.

ABV
6.2%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter52 IBU
Citrus 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
fruitycitrusyhoppy
fruity
citrusy
hoppy
tart
floral
herbal
Aroma
The nose opens with striking passionfruit and tart berry notes, layered with bright grapefruit zest and a delicate floral character from the hibiscus integration.
not found:juicy,caramel,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Crimson Pistil

◎ Appearance

Crimson Pistol presents a bright copper-gold hue with excellent clarity and a fine, persistent white head that clings to the glass with notable lacing. The carbonation is brisk and well-integrated, creating a lively visual presentation that reflects the beer's vibrant character.

copper-goldclearfine head lacingbrisk carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with striking passionfruit and tart berry notes, layered with bright grapefruit zest and a delicate floral character from the hibiscus integration. Beneath the fruit profile lies a herbaceous, grassy meadow note with subtle spice, while the Pilsner and Vienna malts contribute a clean, barely-perceptible malt sweetness that anchors the composition.

passionfruit, berrygrapefruit zestfloral hibiscusherbaceous meadow

◐ Taste

Entry brings immediate fruity complexity—passionfruit and tart berry forward—with bright citrus acidity that refreshes the palate throughout. The mid-palate develops herbal and piney hop character from Azacca and Vic Secret, balanced by the warm foundation of Vienna malt, while a moderate bitterness emerges cleanly without harshness, finishing with lingering citrus and herb notes rather than sharp astringency.

fruity entrytart acidityherbal hop characterbalanced bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is crisp and medium in length, with passionfruit and grapefruit notes fading gracefully into a dry, herbaceous aftertaste. The 52 IBU bitterness remains present but restrained, leaving the mouth refreshed rather than parched.

crisp, medium finishdry herbal aftertaste
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
83
Appearance
85
Finish
78
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 Crimson Pistil

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About Fruited IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Fruited 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 Fruited IPA

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

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