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Hop Knife

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Orange zest, honeysuckle and pineapple lead this IPA, and as the beer flows through the HopCyclone at the end of fermentation it releases preserved citrus rind and tropical aromas. Cascade, Chinook and El Dorado are the hops, with Centennial, Citra and Columbus as dry hops, on Crystal, Pilsner and Vienna malts. Deep amber and 6.2% ABV, a nod to hand-harvesting hops at peak maturity. A Brewery Only release from Hershey, Pennsylvania.

ABV
6.2%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter
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
citrusytropicalorange
citrusy
tropical
orange
hoppy
fruity
resinous
Aroma
The nose leads with bright orange zest and honeysuckle sweetness, followed by tropical fruit notes—pineapple and stone fruit—that emerge as the beer warms.
also:honey,clean
not found:juicy,caramel,sour,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Hop Knife

◎ Appearance

Deep amber pour with excellent clarity and a dense, persistent foam head that leaves fine lacing down the glass. The color suggests proper caramelization of the Vienna and Crystal malts without cloudiness. Carbonation is lively and well-integrated, creating a dynamic visual presence.

deep ambercleardense headfine lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with bright orange zest and honeysuckle sweetness, followed by tropical fruit notes—pineapple and stone fruit—that emerge as the beer warms. The HopCyclone treatment releases preserved citrus rind aromatics alongside a subtle resinous quality from the dry hop blend of Citra, Centennial, and Columbus. Underlying malt character provides a soft, honey-like foundation without dominating.

orange zesthoneysuckletropical fruitcitrus rindresinous

◐ Taste

Entry is crisp and clean with immediate citrus punch and honeyed sweetness from the Pilsner and Crystal malts. The mid-palate develops tropical fruit complexity—pineapple and stone fruit—while a moderate, well-articulated bitterness from Cascade and Chinook hops builds steadily without harshness. The finish maintains brightness with lingering resinous notes and gentle hop spice that balances the malt sweetness.

citrusytropicalhoneyedmoderate bitternessclean

◑ Finish

Medium-length finish with a satisfying dry quality that doesn't strip the palate. The aftertaste lingers with faint orange peel and a subtle resinous warmth that gradually fades.

medium drycitrus persistence
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
82
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 Hop Knife

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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 citrusy, tropical, orange character as Hop Knife 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 →