hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

1939

Big Grove Brewery
Tap to rate
🌍 United States · American Amber Ale · One of 56 American Amber Ales in hopIQ

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
See all American Amber Ale alternatives →
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
hopIQ take

Even from Body through Texture, the taste structure is evenly distributed.

Harmony over emphasis — the beer is built for each note to sit at the same volume.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another American Amber Ale.
Hop character
floral
hoppy
Malt character
caramel
malty
bready
toasty
nutty
honey
Fermentation & yeast
clean
Compare with another beer →

FEATURED IN

Featured inThe Best American Amber Ales

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
+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of 1939

Serve at 8–11°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

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

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

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

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with 1939

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.

Other American Amber Ales in hopIQ

Explore all American Amber Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse United States beers →

WHERE TO BUY

Not sure where to find 1939? Search on:

RateBeer →Untappd →