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1939

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Named for the University of Iowa's 1939 Ironmen football team — a copper-hued, malt-forward amber ale meant as a fall warm-up that stuck around. Toasted caramel-and-biscuit malt, a soft nutty note from crystal grains, a light hop finish. The kind of amber lager that outlives the season it was designed for.

ABV
5.6%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
amber14
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
caramelmaltytoasty
caramel
malty
toasty
bready
clean
nutty
Aroma
The nose opens with toasted caramel and biscuit malt, layered with a soft nuttiness from the crystal grains.
also:honey,floral,hoppy
not found:juicy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for 1939

◎ Appearance

A clear copper hue with warm amber undertones, reminiscent of autumn sunlight. The head forms with moderate density and holds with steady persistence, leaving fine lacing down the glass. Carbonation appears gentle and well-integrated, befitting the ale's approachable character.

copperclearfine lacingmoderate head

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with toasted caramel and biscuit malt, layered with a soft nuttiness from the crystal grains. Light floral and honey notes emerge beneath, while a restrained herbal hop character adds balance without dominance. The overall impression is warm and inviting, more grain-forward than aromatic-hop driven.

toasted caramelbiscuit maltsoft nuttinessfloral honey

◐ Taste

The palate enters with smooth, malty sweetness accented by toasted bread tones and caramel depth. Mid-palate reveals the crystal grain's honeyed character alongside a clean, subtle nuttiness. The hop bitterness arrives late and softly—enough to frame the malt without asserting dominance, finishing with a balanced, dry quality.

malty sweetnesscaramel depthclean finishsoft bitterness

◑ Finish

The aftertaste is dry and lingering, with caramel notes fading gradually into a light, pleasant biscuit character. A mild mineral dryness closes the experience without harshness.

drylingering caramel
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
76
Taste
79
Appearance
78
Finish
77
Serve at 8–11°C

Serve at 8–11°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with 1939

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About American Amber Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a American Amber Ale?

Amber Ales have 4.5–6.2% ABV and IBU 25–40. Caramel malt sweetness balanced by moderate hop bitterness, a reddish-amber colour and smooth finish.

Finding a similar American Amber Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same caramel, malty, toasty character as 1939 will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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