Central City Red Racer IPA vs Copper State IPA: Which Should You Drink?

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Central City Red Racer IPA

Central City Brewers + Distillers

Canada · American IPA

hopIQ rank #434

78%

Overall similarity

side by side, across 56 flavour tags

Copper State IPA

Huss Brewing Company

United States · American IPA

HOPIQ TAKE

Central City Red Racer IPA if you want a crisp, West Coast backbone with restraint, Copper State IPA if you want something rounder and more caramel-forward. Both sit at the same ABV and IBU sweet spot, so it really comes down to whether you're in the mood for pine and citrus snap or something that leans into malt sweetness. The Red Racer is the more classic play—clean and dry finish. Copper State feels like it's bridging the gap between IPA and amber, which changes the whole experience.

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WHEN TO CHOOSE WHICH

Pick Central City Red Racer IPA when…

→You want a traditional West Coast IPA that respects the form
→Citrus and pine aromatics appeal to you more than caramel
→You're in a hoppy-beer mood and want the hops to lead

Pick Copper State IPA when…

→You like your IPAs to have visible malt character and sweetness
→You want something sessionable that doesn't attack your palate
→You're transitioning from amber ales or want a softer landing

SIDE BY SIDE

	Central City Red Racer IPA	Copper State IPA
ABV	6.5%	6.5%
Bitterness	Strongly bitter	Strongly bitter
Colour	Golden	Amber
Style	American IPA	American IPA
Origin	Canada	United States

WHAT IT TASTES OF

7 shared · 4 distinct

Both beers

hoppycitrusycrisppineybittercleanrefreshing

Only Central City Red Racer IPA

orange

STRUCTURE — HOW IT'S BUILT

Central City Red Racer IPACopper State IPA

Bitterness

Body

TASTING NOTES

Central City Red Racer IPA

HoppyCitrusyCrisp

Red Racer hits you with a bright, almost herbal grapefruit note upfront—the kind that makes you sit up in your chair. It's got that Pacific Northwest restraint; the 60 IBUs feel earned and clean, not aggressive. The malt backbone is there but stays in the shadows, letting the hops do the talking. Finishes dry and slightly peppery, like someone's keeping you honest.

Copper State IPA

HoppyCitrusyCrisp

Copper State opens softer, with caramel and light toasted grain doing real work before the hops even show up. When the bitterness lands, it's measured and textured—not a knife's edge like some IPAs. There's a slight sweetness that lingers, almost toffee-adjacent, making this feel more generous and round-mouthed than crisp. It's the kind of IPA that doesn't make you feel like you're in a hop arms race.

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