Beers similar to Special Ale

Golden Ale·United Kingdom·4.7% ABV·One of 119 Golden Ales in hopIQ·

hopIQ found 10 beers that share Special Ale's malty and fruity character. A malty, chestnut-gold ale with a full malt taste, a biscuity edge, fruit flavours and hop bitterness. Brewers Gold hops add aromas of blackcurrant, stone fruit and spice. It was gyle number one in 2005; for the 3,000th brew in 2025 the strength went from 4.2% to 4.7%, with carapils for a deeper malt backbone.

Similar beers ranked by flavour match rather than popularity.Similar beers ranked by flavour, not popularity.

maltybitterfruity

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10 beers like Special Ale

Bishops Farewell

Oakham Ales

United Kingdom · Golden Ale · 4.6%

ALTERNATIVE

71%

FLAVOUR MATCH

Like Special Ale on bread notes and bitterness — adds citrus notes, but without the spiciness.

What carries overmaltyfruitybitterrefreshingbready

Structure: very close

Compared to Special Aleorangecitrusysmoothdark fruitspicy

Structure: Same structure — body, sweetness, bitterness and texture all land on the same spot.

Structure: very close

View beer Alternatives to Bishops Farewell

Blossom

Charnwood Brewery

United Kingdom · Golden Ale · 4.1%

ALTERNATIVE

70%

FLAVOUR MATCH

A touch more a notch softer, no bitterness — spiciness and peach notes as with Special Ale.

What carries overmaltypeachfruityhoppyspicy

Structure: a notch softer

Compared to Special Alecleanlightbitterdark fruit

Structure: Same structure — body, sweetness, bitterness and texture all land on the same spot.

Structure: a notch softer

View beer Alternatives to Blossom

Siren

Cliff Quay Brewery

United Kingdom · Golden Ale · 4%

WORTH A TRY

68%

FLAVOUR MATCH

Keeps spiciness and bitterness like Special Ale, adds citrus notes, a notch softer, drops bread notes.

What carries overmaltyfruitybitterspicyhoppy

Structure: a notch softer

Compared to Special Alecitrusysmoothcleandark fruitbready

Structure: Same structure — body, sweetness, bitterness and texture all land on the same spot.

Structure: a notch softer

View beer Alternatives to Siren

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Man O' Hoy

Orkney Brewery

United Kingdom · Golden Ale · 4.2%

68%

MATCH

Shares bitterness and dark fruit notes with Special Ale; adds tropical notes, but drops spiciness.

Structure: very close

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The Premium Malt's Kaoru Ale

Suntory

Japan · Golden Ale · 6%

67%

MATCH

Alongside Special Ale on peach notes and hop character: adds sweetness, a notch stronger, drops bitterness.

Structure: a notch stronger

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Sendero Sur

Cerveza Patagonia

Argentina · Golden Ale · 4.3%

66%

MATCH

As with Special Ale, same bitterness and bread notes; adds tartness, no spiciness.

Structure: very close

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Kiss

Harvey's Brewery

United Kingdom · Golden Ale · 4.8%

66%

MATCH

Same bitterness and spiciness as Special Ale, adds sweetness, but without the fruit notes.

Structure: very close

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Higsons Golden Ale

Higsons

United Kingdom · Golden Ale · 4%

65%

MATCH

Mirrors Special Ale's spiciness and bread notes — plus citrus notes, a notch softer, minus fruit notes.

Structure: a notch softer

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Charlie Brewn

Charnwood Brewery

United Kingdom · Brown Ale · 5.2%

64%

MATCH

Fuller — same dark fruit notes and richness as Special Ale, adds earthy notes, fuller-bodied, but without the bitterness.

Structure: a touch fuller, softer

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Genesee 12 Horse Ale

Genesee Brewing Company

United States · Golden Ale · 5.1%

64%

MATCH

Same bread notes and hop character as Special Ale, adds sweetness, but without the bitterness.

Structure: very close

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