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First Cut

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Mango, green pineapple and honey shape this IPA, a nod to the spring ritual in which hop growers trim the first shoots to strengthen the bines. Comet, Mosaic and Simcoe are the hops, on Crystal, Pilsner and Munich malts, with house ale yeast. 6.2% ABV and 45 IBU, a Brewery Only release brewed in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

ABV
6.2%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter45 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
tropicalfruityhoppy
tropical
fruity
hoppy
honey
citrusy
malty
Aroma
The nose leads with ripe mango and green pineapple, underpinned by a gentle honey sweetness and herbal Edelhopfen character from the Comet, Mosaic and Simcoe blend.
also:clean
not found:juicy,caramel,sour,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for First Cut

◎ Appearance

Pale golden with excellent clarity and a fine, persistent white head that leaves delicate lacing on the glass. The carbonation is brisk and visible, lending the beer a lively, inviting presence.

pale goldenclearfine headwell-carbonated

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with ripe mango and green pineapple, underpinned by a gentle honey sweetness and herbal Edelhopfen character from the Comet, Mosaic and Simcoe blend. A subtle citrus note threads through, with restrained floral and piney undertones that speak to the hop-forward selection.

mango, green pineapplehoneyherbal hopscitrus notes

◐ Taste

Tropical stone fruit dominates the palate, with green pineapple and mango leading into a honey-tinged middle that remains clean and well-defined. The 45 IBU are judiciously balanced—present enough to frame the hops without overwhelming, while the Crystal, Pilsner and Munich malt foundation provides gentle sweetness and body without excessive residual sugar.

tropical fruit forwardbalanced bitternesshoney sweetnessclean palate

◑ Finish

Medium length finish with a crisp, drying quality that invites another sip. The citrus and herbal notes linger gently, fading to a subtle malt backbone.

crisp dry-downlingering citrus
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
84
Appearance
80
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 First Cut

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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, fruity, hoppy character as First Cut 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 →