Four Peaks Hop Knot IPA

Tasting Notes

Hop Knot leads with a solid punch of citrus and pine on the nose, typical of a well-built American IPA from the Southwest. On the palate, grapefruit peel and resinous pine dominate, backed by a firm but not aggressive bitterness that lingers into a dry finish. The malt backbone is restrained — just enough bready sweetness to keep things balanced without pulling focus from the hops. Body is medium, with enough heft to feel substantial without weighing you down.

About the Brewery

Four Peaks is based in Tempe, Arizona, and has been a cornerstone of the Phoenix metro craft beer scene since 1996. They operate out of a converted 1890s creamery building, which remains one of the more distinctive brewery spaces in the Southwest. Anheuser-Busch InBev acquired them in 2015, though they've maintained a strong regional identity and wide Arizona distribution. Their lineup leans toward accessible, well-executed American styles alongside some seasonal and specialty offerings.

Food Pairings

The resinous bitterness and citrus character here work well with spicy dishes like green chile tacos or Thai basil stir-fry, where the hop intensity meets and holds its own against bold seasoning. A charred burger with sharp cheddar plays nicely because the malt base bridges the fat while bitterness cuts through it. Sharp or aged cheddar on its own is a reliable match, as the bitterness scrubs the palate clean between bites. Grilled chicken with citrus marinade echoes the beer's own flavor profile without competing.

Style Guide

The American IPA is defined by assertive hop bitterness, aroma, and flavor — typically showcasing citrus, pine, tropical fruit, or resin depending on the hop varieties used. It originated in the U.S. as a more aggressively hopped evolution of the English IPA tradition, gaining mainstream traction through West Coast breweries in the 1990s and 2000s. ABV typically runs between 6% and 7.5%, with a lean-to-medium malt body that keeps the focus squarely on hops. It differs from the hazy or New England IPA in that clarity, defined bitterness, and a dry finish are defining traits rather than soft, juicy opacity.