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Freshwater Pale Ale

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The beer Akasha launched with in April 2015 and still the best known of the range. Cascade is the only hop named, and it shows: floral and fruity notes with the grapefruit edge that variety is known for. A slightly sweet malt backbone sits underneath and keeps the beer from drying out entirely. The bitterness is low by this brewery's standards, which is what makes it easy to drink.

ABV
5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden7
PaceA Few

AWARDS

#35 · 2025
GABS Hottest 100
★#35 — GABS Hottest 100
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
fruityfloralcitrusy
fruity
floral
citrusy
malty
clean
hoppy
Aroma
The nose is dominated by the characteristic floral and fruity qualities of Cascade hops, with a distinctive grapefruit edge that sits at the forefront.
not found:juicy,caramel,sour,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Freshwater Pale Ale

◎ Appearance

A bright golden hue with excellent clarity and fine carbonation evident throughout the glass. The head forms a dense, cream-colored foam that maintains good adhesion to the glass, creating distinct lacing on the walls as the beer is consumed.

bright goldcleardense headgood lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose is dominated by the characteristic floral and fruity qualities of Cascade hops, with a distinctive grapefruit edge that sits at the forefront. Beneath the hop profile lies a clean, slightly sweet malt foundation that provides gentle supporting notes without interfering with the hop aromatics.

Cascade floralgrapefruit zestcitrus-forwardsubtle sweet malt

◐ Taste

The palate opens with fruity and citrus notes that lead the flavor profile, supported by a gently sweet malt backbone that prevents any harsh drying. The bitterness is restrained—notably moderate for an American Pale Ale—allowing the delicate interplay between hop character and malt sweetness to remain balanced and approachable throughout.

fruitycitrussoft bitternessmalt sweetness

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and refreshing, with the bitterness fading gracefully while leaving behind gentle fruit and floral echoes. The aftertaste remains smooth and drinkable, inviting another sip without lingering harshness.

clean finishsmoothrefreshing
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
82
Taste
78
Appearance
80
Finish
75
Serve at 7–10°C

Serve at 7–10°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 Freshwater Pale Ale

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About American Pale Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a American Pale Ale?

Pale Ales balance malt sweetness with moderate hop character at 4.5–6% ABV and IBU 20–40. Approachable with floral, citrus or earthy notes over a biscuit malt base.

Finding a similar American Pale Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same fruity, floral, citrusy character as Freshwater Pale Ale will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →Explore all American Pale Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse Australia beers →