BRÚ IPA

Zesty, floral and packed with modern hop character.
There are IPAs that try to impress by simply turning everything up, and then there are beers that get their character from knowing exactly where to stop. BRÚ IPA belongs firmly in the second camp. Brewed by BRÚ Brewery in Galway, this 5.0% IPA brings together the distinctive passionfruit and citrus character of Strata hops with the familiar floral qualities of Centennial and Cascade, all resting on a soft, bready malt backbone. The result is a modern Irish IPA with plenty of personality, but one that remains rounded, approachable and remarkably easy to drink.

Strata is the real storyteller here. Originally an experimental hop variety and still relatively unusual in Irish brewing, it brings an intriguing combination of delicate passionfruit, pungent citrus and a slightly more exotic edge. BRÚ pairs it with Centennial and Cascade, creating a more layered hop profile where bright citrus and floral notes sit alongside the fruit rather than simply competing with it. The brewery's own head brewer developed the recipe specifically to showcase Strata, using a pure Irish pale malt base to give those hops the space to shine.

Pouring a warm golden colour with a generous white head, BRÚ IPA opens with an immediately inviting aroma of fresh citrus, passionfruit and floral hops. The first sip follows that same path, with juicy fruit and zesty citrus arriving over a gently bready malt foundation. There is a definite bitterness, as an IPA should have, but it stays controlled and integrated rather than becoming harsh. The finish is clean, lightly dry and pleasantly hoppy, leaving behind citrus, floral notes and just enough bitterness to encourage another sip.

At 5.0% ABV, it strikes a particularly good balance between flavour and drinkability. There is enough hop intensity to make the beer interesting for experienced craft beer drinkers, but not so much that it becomes a demanding or overly bitter pint. It is the sort of IPA that works equally well when poured carefully into a glass after work, shared with friends at the weekend or simply kept cold for when the evening calls for something with a little more character.

There is a story behind the beer too. BRÚ's Core range was created with a strong connection to Irish culture, and the IPA is represented by Anna Danu, the ancient Celtic goddess associated with nature, fertility and the abundance of the land. It is a fitting inspiration for a beer whose ingredients begin with the things nature gives the brewer: barley, hops, yeast and water. Even the blue tones of the beer's original artwork were chosen to represent water and its importance to brewing.

BRÚ IPA has also proved itself beyond the brewery's own taproom, winning a Silver Medal in the Ales category at the 2020 International Beer Challenge. BRÚ describes it as one of the brewery's best-selling beers, and it is easy to see why: this is an IPA that manages to feel distinctly modern without sacrificing the balanced, drinkable qualities that make a beer worth coming back to.

Why we love it:
BRÚ IPA finds a lovely middle ground between expressive modern hops and an easy-drinking, bready malt base. The passionfruit, citrus and floral character gives it plenty to discover without pushing the bitterness too far. A confident, approachable IPA that works particularly well for anyone looking for flavour without the heaviness of a stronger hop-forward beer.