hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Sober Brummie Pale Ale

Tap to rate

Sober Brummie Pale Ale opened the brewery's low-alcohol line at the end of 2020. The 0.5% beer is brewed with British pale floor malt, which keeps the body light, and hopped three times for a zingy, fresh citrus character. It is sold mainly in cans and occasionally poured on keg. As Sober Brummie it won gold in the no- and low-alcohol class at the regional SIBA awards for the Midlands in 2021. Editions with passion fruit, lime and blackcurrant are based on it.

ABV
0.5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
PaceSession

AWARDS

Gold · 2021
SIBA Indie Beer Awards (regional, Midlands)
No/Low Alcohol Beer
★Gold — SIBA Indie Beer Awards (regional, Midlands) (No/Low Alcohol Beer)
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
citrusyfruityhoppy
citrusy
fruity
hoppy
clean
Aroma
The nose leads with fresh citrus notes—lemon zest and grapefruit—driven by judicious triple-hopping with noble varieties.
not found:juicy,caramel,sour,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Sober Brummie Pale Ale

◎ Appearance

Pale golden hue with bright clarity and a fine, persistent white head that clings to the glass. The carbonation is lively and well-integrated, creating a gentle foam collar that gradually recedes. The beer presents a clean, inviting visual profile typical of well-crafted pale ales.

pale goldenbright claritypersistent headcrisp carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with fresh citrus notes—lemon zest and grapefruit—driven by judicious triple-hopping with noble varieties. Beneath the hop character sits a gentle malt base from British pale floor malt, contributing a soft grain sweetness without heaviness. The overall impression is clean and refreshing, with no solvent or yeast-derived off-notes.

citrus zestnoble hop characterlight grain sweetnesscrisp, fresh

◐ Taste

Entry is light-bodied and dry, allowing the hop bitterness to register clearly at 40 IBU without dominating the palate. Citrus and floral notes develop through the mid-palate, balanced by restrained malt sweetness that keeps the beer approachable. The finish is clean and dry, with lingering hop bitterness and a subtle herbal quality.

citrus, floral hopslight bodydry palatebalanced bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is brief to medium in length, fading to a dry, slightly peppery aftertaste. No residual sweetness or heaviness lingers, making this beer highly drinkable and refreshing.

drybrief finishherbal aftertaste
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
79
Taste
77
Appearance
78
Finish
76
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.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with Sober Brummie Pale Ale

More from Birmingham Brewing Company

Bitter Brummie
Bitter Brummie
Ordinary Bitter
4.1% · 28 IBU
Find matches →
Blonde Brummie
Blonde Brummie
Blonde Ale
4.4% · 15 IBU
Find matches →
Fruity Brummie
Fruity Brummie
Pale Ale
4.1% · 35 IBU
Find matches →
Gold Brummie
Hazy Brummie
Hazy Brummie
Hazy Pale Ale
4.5% · 40 IBU
Find matches →
Kiwi Brummie
Kiwi Brummie
Pale Ale
4.8% · 35 IBU
Find matches →
Merry Brummie
Merry Brummie
Spiced Beer
4.7% · 28 IBU
Find matches →
Mild Brummie
Mild Brummie
Dark Mild
3.4% · 24 IBU
Find matches →

About Alcohol-Free Pale Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Alcohol-Free 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 Alcohol-Free Pale Ale

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

Compare with another beer →