hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

A Christmas Pale

Tap to rate

A Christmas Pale is Anspach & Hobday's festive hoppy pale ale, a Christmas seasonal that first appeared in 2023. It is delicately spiced with orange zest, ginger and juniper and hopped generously with Columbus, Bullion and Bramling Cross. The result is bright and fruity, with the spice kept subtle and a refreshing, bitter finish. It is brewed at 4.5 %.

ABV
4.5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
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
hoppyfruityspicy
hoppy
fruity
spicy
orange
herbal
clean
Aroma
The nose leads with citrus and stone fruit character from the Columbus, Bullion and Bramling Cross hops, complemented by a gentle spice layer of orange zest, ginger and juniper that remains restrained and integrated.
also:citrusy,malty
not found:juicy,caramel,sour,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for A Christmas Pale

◎ Appearance

A Christmas Pale presents a pale golden hue with excellent clarity and fine carbonation visible as a steady stream of bubbles. The head forms dense and ivory-white, with good retention and Schaumhaftung that clings to the glass walls through the drink.

pale goldenbright claritypersistent head

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with citrus and stone fruit character from the Columbus, Bullion and Bramling Cross hops, complemented by a gentle spice layer of orange zest, ginger and juniper that remains restrained and integrated. Beneath the aromatic hops lies a soft, clean malt base that supports without dominating.

citrus, stone fruitsubtle spiceEdelhopfen-forward

◐ Taste

The palate opens with bright, fruity hop character balanced by a refined bitterness that builds through the mid-palate without aggression. The ginger and orange spice emerges subtly rather than assertively, while the malt provides a lean, crisp foundation that keeps the beer refreshing despite its festive adjuncts.

fruity, hoppyrefined bitternessspice accent

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and drying, with the bitterness lingering pleasantly and the spice notes fading to a faint warmth. The aftertaste remains refreshing throughout, inviting another sip without heaviness.

dry, refreshinglingering bitterness
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
79
Taste
78
Appearance
77
Finish
77
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.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with A Christmas Pale

More from Anspach & Hobday

Ansbacher Festbier
Ansbacher Lager
Ansbacher Lager
Helles Lager
5% · 18 IBU
Find matches →
Anspach & Hobday Golden Bitter
Anspach & Hobday IPA
Anspach & Hobday IPA
West Coast IPA
6% · 60 IBU
Find matches →
Anspach & Hobday Ordinary Bitter
Anspach & Hobday Pale Ale
Anspach & Hobday Porter
Anspach & Hobday Rauchbier

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 hoppy, fruity, refreshing character as A Christmas Pale 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 →