Des Moines IPA vs Magnolia IPA: Which Should You Drink?

HOPIQ FACEOFF

Des Moines IPA

Confluence Brewing Company

United States · American IPA

hopIQ rank #2465

92%

Overall similarity

side by side, across 56 flavour tags

Magnolia IPA

Fertile Ground Beer Company

United States · American IPA

HOPIQ TAKE

Des Moines IPA if you want something that lands crisp and straightforward, Magnolia IPA if you want a bit more character and depth. Both sit at the same ABV and IBU, so the difference isn't about alcohol or bitterness—it's in how each brewery interprets the American IPA template. Des Moines feels like it's built on clean brewhouse technique, while Magnolia seems to lean into the malt backbone a bit more noticeably.

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WHEN TO CHOOSE WHICH

Pick Des Moines IPA when…

→You want something approachable and sessionable without fussiness
→You're early in the night and want something light-footed
→You're craving citrus-driven hop character over malt complexity

Pick Magnolia IPA when…

→You want an IPA with enough body to feel substantial
→You appreciate malt playing a real supporting role in the beer
→You're in the mood for something with a bit more flavor complexity

SIDE BY SIDE

	Des Moines IPA	Magnolia IPA
ABV	6.5%	6.5%
Bitterness	Strongly bitter	Strongly bitter
Colour	Golden	Golden
Style	American IPA	American IPA
Origin	United States	United States

WHAT IT TASTES OF

7 shared · 1 distinct

Both beers

hoppycitrusycleancrisprefreshingfruitylight

Only Des Moines IPA

bitter

STRUCTURE — HOW IT'S BUILT

Des Moines IPAMagnolia IPA

Bitterness

Body

TASTING NOTES

Des Moines IPA

HoppyCitrusyClean

Des Moines IPA has a bright, almost citrus-forward opening that doesn't linger too long. The bitterness is there at 60 IBU, but it's well-integrated rather than aggressive—feels like it's in service of the flavor rather than the star of the show. At 6.5%, it drinks lighter than it should, which is a compliment to the brewhouse efficiency. This is the kind of beer you can drink two of without thinking about it.

Magnolia IPA

HoppyCitrusyClean

Magnolia IPA has more backbone than you'd expect at this ABV. There's a subtle caramel note underneath the hop character that suggests they didn't skip on the malt bill. The 60 IBU feels like it has more presence here—the bitterness has a slightly resinous quality that makes you notice it. This one sits heavier on your palate and actually rewards you for paying attention to what you're drinking.

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