Walk up to the taps at IronBark Hill Brewing Co in Pokolbin and you'll notice something straight away: most of our beers are hop-forward. That's not an accident. Hops are the ingredient that give craft beer its character, from bright citrus and tropical fruit to earthy pine and sticky resin. They're the reason a pale ale tastes nothing like a lager, and the reason an IPA can hit you with flavour before you've even taken a sip.
But "hoppy" doesn't mean "all the same." Each of our hop-forward beers uses different hop varieties, different quantities, and different techniques to land in a completely different spot on the flavour spectrum. Here's a guide to four of them, from approachable to bold, so you know exactly what to order next time you're at the taproom.
Summer Ale: The Light Entry Point
If you're new to hoppy beers or just want something easy, start here. Our Summer Ale is brewed with Australian Galaxy hops and a hint of Citra, plus rolled oats and single origin Australian malted wheat. At 3.5% ABV, it's our lightest beer and genuinely sessionable.
On the palate you'll get fresh passionfruit and pineapple up front, with a dry malt backbone that keeps it from being too sweet. The oats add a soft, rounded mouthfeel that makes it dangerously easy to drink.
This one has picked up two Gold Medals at the Sydney Royal Beer & Cider Show (2023 and 2025), which says a lot about how well it's put together despite the low ABV. Pair it with fish and chips, a chicken salad, or one of our pizzas from Wildstreak Kitchen.
$20 per 4-pack · 3.5% ABV · Gold Medal, 2025 Sydney Royal
American Pale Ale: The All-Rounder
This is our most popular beer, and for good reason. The American Pale Ale is brewed with all American hops and single origin malts from Voyager. It lands right in the sweet spot: hoppy enough to be interesting, balanced enough to drink a few of.
Expect pine and crisp citrus on the nose, with juicy tropical notes that come through on the palate. It finishes with a clean, satisfying bitterness that makes you want another sip. At 5.2% ABV, it's got a bit more weight than the Summer Ale but never feels heavy.
This is the beer I'd hand to someone who says "I like craft beer but I don't know what to order." It goes with just about everything, from a burger and fries to a margherita pizza, a cheese board, or even a Sunday roast.
$22 per 4-pack · 5.2% ABV · Silver Medal, 2024 Sydney Royal
Hazy Train Hazy Pale: The Tropical One
Hazy beers have taken the craft world by storm, and our Hazy Train is our take on the style. It pours with the signature haze and delivers a big hit of tropical fruit: ripe mango, papaya, and melon, with layers of pine lime and a touch of dankness from the American hops.
What makes it different from the APA? The Hazy Train is juicier and softer. Where the APA has that clean, bitter finish, the Hazy Train leans into fruit and texture. It's less bitter, more aromatic, and at 4.3% ABV, it's also lighter than you'd expect from something so flavourful.
This is the one to reach for on a warm afternoon or with spicy food. Thai green curry, tacos, or a spicy pepperoni pizza from Wildstreak Kitchen all work beautifully alongside it. The tropical fruit in the beer cools the heat without washing out the flavour.
$22 per 4-pack · 4.3% ABV
Hop Circus IPA: The Bold One
If you love hops and want to taste them dialled up to full volume, the Hop Circus IPA is where you want to be. This is our biggest, boldest hop-forward beer and it was our 30th beer to be canned, a milestone we're pretty proud of.
The hop bill tells the story: Centennial, Citra, Mosaic, and Simcoe. That's four premium American hop varieties, each adding a different layer. You'll get vibrant citrus and tropical characters up front, with bright aromas of grapefruit and mango. Piney undertones and subtle earthy notes round out the palate. At 6.5% ABV, it's got the malt backbone to carry all that hop flavour without falling apart.
This is a beer that demands attention, and it pairs best with food that can stand up to it. Think slow-cooked brisket, a loaded burger, strong aged cheddar, or a rich meat pizza. The bitterness cuts through fat and the citrus lifts rich, heavy dishes.
$25 per 4-pack · 6.5% ABV
How to Choose Your Style
The easiest way to think about our hop-forward range is as a spectrum:
- Summer Ale (3.5%) - Light, fruity, easy drinking. Start here if you're hop-curious.
- Hazy Train (4.3%) - Juicy, tropical, soft. For when you want big flavour without big bitterness.
- American Pale Ale (5.2%) - Balanced, citrusy, clean. The one that works with everything.
- Hop Circus IPA (6.5%) - Bold, complex, bitter. For hop lovers who want the full experience.
Of course, the best way to figure out your favourite is to taste them side by side. Order a beer paddle at the taproom and work your way through the lineup. Our staff can walk you through what's on tap and help you find your style.
Visit the Taproom
IronBark Hill Brewing Co is at 694 Hermitage Rd, Pokolbin, in the heart of the Hunter Valley. We're open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm. Grab a paddle, order a pizza from Wildstreak Kitchen, and settle in at the beer garden with your dog (yes, we're dog-friendly).
Can't make it in person? You can order any of our beers online at pdwines.com.au and we'll ship them to your door.
