HOPIQ FACEOFF
Vietnam · American Pale Ale · 4.7% ABV
90%
Overall similarity
hopIQ take
Heart of Darkness Impermanence Pale Ale if you want to ease in,
Sneakbox if you want something with more grip.
Both sit right at that 38 IBU sweet spot, so bitterness isn't the differentiator—it's the body and alcohol warmth. That half-degree ABV difference actually matters when you're comparing pale ales this carefully; Sneakbox feels more substantial in your mouth, while Impermanence drinks leaner and more approachable.
At a glance
Generated from the four anchored axes — never hand-written.
Beer DNA
Body
Δ 5
Sweetness
Δ 2
Situations
In words
Heart of Darkness Impermanence Pale Ale
Impermanence is a masterclass in restraint. It's got real citrus character—clean lemon zest, some grapefruit—but it doesn't overpower you. The 4.7% ABV keeps it nimble; there's almost no alcohol burn, just a dry, snappy finish that makes you want another sip immediately. This is the pale ale that doesn't demand your attention, but rewards it when you pay it.
Sneakbox
Sneakbox feels more muscular. There's a fuller malt backbone here that actually complements the same IBU level as Impermanence—those 38 units of bitterness feel more integrated, less sharp. The extra alcohol adds a subtle warmth that lingers. This beer has presence without being aggressive. It's the one you'd order when you want to sit with something, not just grab and go.
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Beers like Heart of Darkness Impermanence Pale Ale
View alternatives →Beers like Sneakbox
View alternatives →Both are
Similarly hopped
Within Δ 0. Neither reads as noticeably more bitter on this axis.
Bitterness 48 vs 48 · Δ 0
Bitterness
Δ 0
Texture
Δ 1
Only Heart of Darkness Impermanence Pale Ale
Shared character
Only Sneakbox
No unique character notes