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True Colors

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True Colors from Phase Three Brewing Company in Lake Zurich, Illinois, is a hazy New England IPA that showcases the Illinois craft brewery's skill with the juicy, unfiltered style. It pours a dense, opaque golden-orange with a pillowy white head. The aroma bursts with tropical and citrus notes — think ripe mango, tangerine, and fresh pineapple layered over a soft, doughy base. On the palate, the beer is lush and full-bodied, with a creamy mouthfeel characteristic of the style. Bright fruit flavors dominate, balanced by a restrained, gentle bitterness that never overwhelms. The finish is smooth and relatively dry, leaving a pleasant, lingering citrus warmth that invites the next sip.

ABV
8%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden6
PaceSipper
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
tropicalhoppyjuicy
tropical
hoppy
juicy
fruity
citrusy
peach
Aroma
The nose bursts with vibrant tropical and citrus aromatics that lead with ripe mango, tangerine, and fresh pineapple.
also:bready,orange
not found:piney,caramel,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for True Colors

◎ Appearance

True Colors presents a dense, opaque golden-orange hue characteristic of the New England IPA style. A pillowy white head crowns the pour, displaying excellent retention and fine lacing that clings to the glass. The unfiltered, hazy character is pronounced and inviting, with suspended yeast contributing to the beer's signature murky brilliance.

golden-orangedense hazepillowy white headexcellent retention

◌ Aroma

The nose bursts with vibrant tropical and citrus aromatics that lead with ripe mango, tangerine, and fresh pineapple. Beneath the bold fruit character lies a soft, doughy malt base that grounds the composition without competing. The overall aromatic profile is bright and juicy, with no sharp or metallic notes—instead, the Edelhopfen presence speaks in rounded, fruit-forward tones.

tropical fruitripe mangotangerinesoft dough

◐ Taste

The palate enters lush and full-bodied, with a creamy mouthfeel that immediately signals the style's hallmark texture. Bright fruit flavors dominate the mid-palate—citrus and stone fruit notes dance across the tongue—while a restrained, gentle bitterness remains in the background, never dominating. The 45 IBU integration is masterful: enough definition to frame the hops, but soft enough to let the juicy character sing.

creamy texturejuicy fruit forwardrestrained bitternessfull-bodied

◑ Finish

The finish is smooth and relatively dry, shedding residual sweetness while leaving a pleasant, lingering citrus warmth. This clean resolution invites the next sip without fatigue, balancing the beer's richness with a refreshing denouement.

dry citrus warmthsmooth resolutioninviting
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
84
Appearance
87
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 True Colors

More from Phase Three Brewing Company

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About New England IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a New England 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 New England IPA

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

Compare with another beer →Explore all New England IPA beers in hopIQ →New to New England IPA? Read our guide →Browse United States beers →