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Grunion Pale Ale

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Born in a backyard, not on a beach: this pale ale grew out of an employee-only homebrew contest and is named after a tiny local fish known for late-night frolics on shore. Summer melon, herbal flavor, tropical fruit, citrus, earth and pine ride on soft caramel malt sweetness. 5.5%, limited, draft only; U.S. Open bronze in 2017.

ABV
5.5%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter50 IBU
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
PaceA Few

AWARDS

Bronze · 2017
U.S. Open Beer Championship
American Pale Ale
★Bronze — U.S. Open Beer Championship (American Pale Ale)
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
tropicalcaramelherbal
tropical
caramel
herbal
piney
citrusy
malty
Aroma
The nose leads with bright tropical fruit and melon notes, supported by a gentle herbaceous layer and subtle pine undertones.
also:earthy,fruity,hoppy
not found:juicy,roasted,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Grunion Pale Ale

◎ Appearance

Medium amber with a warm golden hue, characteristic of the 8 SRM specification. The beer presents good clarity with a fine, persistent white head that leaves distinct lacing on the glass as it recedes. Carbonation is moderate and steady, supporting a clean visual presentation.

golden amberclearpersistent head lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with bright tropical fruit and melon notes, supported by a gentle herbaceous layer and subtle pine undertones. Soft caramel malt provides a warm foundation without dominance, while citrus—likely from noble hops—adds complexity and freshness to the overall aromatic profile.

tropical fruitherbal pinecaramel maltcitrus forward

◐ Taste

Entry is clean and balanced, with tropical melon and citrus flavors immediately apparent on the palate. The mid-palate develops earthy and piney hop character over a soft caramel malt sweetness, creating a layered drinking experience. Moderate bitterness at 50 IBU provides structure without aggression, finishing with herb and pine notes.

balanced hops and maltsoft caramelearthy, piney finish

◑ Finish

The finish is dry and moderately long, with lingering herbal and citrus notes that fade gradually. A light earthiness persists in the aftertaste, leaving the palate refreshed and inviting another sip.

dry finishherbal aftertaste
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
78
Appearance
76
Finish
75
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 Grunion Pale Ale

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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 tropical, caramel, herbal character as Grunion Pale Ale will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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