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Monty Python's Holy Grail Ale

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Created with the Monty Python team to mark the comedy group's thirtieth anniversary, and given a new lease of life by the reunion and the Spamalot tour; it is famously billed as tempered over burning witches. It belongs to the brewery's bottled range. A light golden ale with a fresh, zesty taste and a long, crisp, bitter finish. Several hop varieties go into the brew, WGV among them, which gives the beer a light fruity nose.

ABV
4.7%
Bitterness
Lightly 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
citrusyfruityhoppy
citrusy
fruity
hoppy
clean
malty
Aroma
The nose presents a fresh, zesty character with pronounced fruity notes from the blend of hop varieties, particularly WGV, which contributes light stone fruit and citrus aromatics.
not found:juicy,caramel,sour,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Monty Python's Holy Grail Ale

◎ Appearance

A bright, pale golden hue characteristic of the style, displaying excellent clarity and a vibrant appearance. The head forms with good density and maintains a delicate white crown with fine, persistent lacing that clings to the glass as the beer is consumed. Carbonation is lively, evident in the steady stream of small bubbles rising through the body.

pale goldenbright claritypersistent lacinglively carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose presents a fresh, zesty character with pronounced fruity notes from the blend of hop varieties, particularly WGV, which contributes light stone fruit and citrus aromatics. Supporting this is a clean, delicate malt backbone that remains restrained, allowing the hop character to lead without overwhelming. The overall impression is one of brightness and cleanliness, with no heavy or grainy notes.

fruity hopsstone fruitfresh citrusclean malt

◐ Taste

The palate opens with a crisp, well-defined entry that immediately establishes the zesty character promised on the nose. The mid-palate remains light and refreshing, with subtle fruity hop flavours balancing a soft malt sweetness, maintaining good drinkability without heaviness. The finish transitions smoothly into a long, clean bitterness that builds gradually and lingers with a dry, refreshing quality.

crisp entrylight bodydry bitternessclean finish

◑ Finish

The finish is notably long and persistently bitter, delivering a satisfying dry aftertaste that invites another sip. The bitterness is composed and measured rather than aggressive, fading to leave a clean, refreshed palate.

long finishdry aftertastemeasured bitterness
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
77
Taste
79
Appearance
79
Finish
78
Serve at 7–10°C

Serve at 7–10°C. Light and refreshing — serve cold to keep the delicate hop and malt balance intact.

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 Monty Python's Holy Grail Ale

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About Golden Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Golden Ale?

Golden Ale is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Golden Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same bitter, crisp, citrusy character as Monty Python's Holy Grail Ale will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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