ISM Brewing’s Chepedelic was designed by brewer Jose “Chepe” Perez and went on to win gold for New Zealand IPA at the 2025 Great American Beer Festival, built around a Superdelic- and Krush-focused hop bill that delivers big aromatics with less bitterness.
Appearance
Chepedelic pours a very light yellow color topped with a thin head.
Aroma
A citrusy nose leads the way, hinting at the light, breezy character to come.
Tasting Notes
Light bodied and fairly dry, this one brings faint notes of melon and berries along with some pilsner-like breadiness underneath.
Mouthfeel & Drinkability
The light body and dry finish make Chepedelic dangerously crushable, letting the Superdelic hop character shine without ever feeling heavy.
Food Pairings
The melon, berry, and bready character make this a great match for light, fresh dishes. Try it with:
- Melon and prosciutto – A direct echo of the beer’s melon notes.
- Mixed berry salad – Complements the beer’s berry character.
- Fresh bread with soft cheese – Echoes the beer’s pilsner breadiness.
- Grilled shrimp skewers – Light and easy, matching the beer’s crushability.
Final Notes
Chepedelic is an award-winning, light and crushable New Zealand-style IPA from ISM Brewing that earns its 4.0/5 by proving less bitterness and big aromatics can go hand in hand. Gold medal-worthy in every sip.
Have you tried the gold medal batch? Let us know your thoughts.
