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Lunar Moonshine

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Moonshine's citrus gets a lift: extra citrus, stone fruit and tropical notes from new Australian Luna hops, joined by the original Willamette, Citra and Centennial and a delicate bitterness. 4.5 % ABV, brewed for the brewery's 30th anniversary as a special version of the beer that has run since 1996, shining as brightly as it did then.

ABV
4.5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter35 IBU
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
PaceSession
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
citrusytropicalhoppy
citrusy
tropical
hoppy
peach
clean
malty
Aroma
The nose leads with pronounced citrus notes—bright lemon and grapefruit peel—lifted by the aromatic Australian Luna hops into tropical stone fruit territory.
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Lunar Moonshine

◎ Appearance

Lunar Moonshine presents a pale golden hue with excellent clarity and a bright, inviting appearance befitting its anniversary milestone. The head forms densely and maintains fine Schaumkleiden along the glass walls, while the carbonation rises in steady streams, creating an animated visual presence.

pale goldenbright claritypersistent headlively carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with pronounced citrus notes—bright lemon and grapefruit peel—lifted by the aromatic Australian Luna hops into tropical stone fruit territory. Supporting layers of peach and apricot emerge behind the hop character, with a subtle herbaceous backbone from Willamette, Citra, and Centennial that grounds the composition without overwhelming the fresh fruit impression.

citrus-forwardtropical stone fruitfloral and herbaceousclean hop character

◐ Taste

Entry is crisp and refreshing, with citrus bite leading into a balanced mid-palate where stone fruit sweetness and gentle tropical notes develop. The 35 IBU bitterness arrives as a delicate counterpoint rather than a forceful assertion, allowing the Malz foundation to express a subtle sweetness that frames rather than competes with the hop profile.

citrus bitestone fruit sweetnessgentle bitternessbalanced, approachable

◑ Finish

The finish is crisp and relatively dry, with citrus and herbal notes lingering gently on the palate. A clean, refreshing aftertaste leaves no harsh edges, inviting another sip.

dry finishcitrus persistenceclean aftertaste
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
82
Taste
78
Appearance
78
Finish
74
Serve at 7–10°C

Cold enough to sharpen the hop aroma without numbing the palate. Around 7–9°C keeps the citrus and pine vivid without losing bitterness definition.

Pint glass

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

Drink fresh — hop aroma fades fast. Best within 3 months of canning or bottling.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Lunar Moonshine

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About Pale Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Pale Ale?

India Pale Ales are hop-forward ales with ABV typically 5.5–7.5% and IBU 40–70+. Bold citrus, pine or tropical aromas alongside firm bitterness and a clean dry finish.

Finding a similar Pale Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same citrusy, tropical, hoppy character as Lunar Moonshine will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →Explore all Pale Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse United Kingdom beers →