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Black Sheep Smooth

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A session amber ale launched in pubs in August 2024 and sold through a single wholesaler. Rich amber in hue, with soft bitterness and a silky, creamy texture: easy-drinking malty sweetness is set against subtle peppery hop notes, and the finish is clean. Brewed with water from the Yorkshire Dales. At 3.4 % it sits at the light end of the brewery's range; a draught beer for pubs.

ABV
3.4%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
SRM
amber12
PaceSession
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
maltycleanspicy hop
malty
clean
spicy hop
hoppy
caramel
Aroma
The nose leads with soft, grainy malt notes—toasted bread and light caramel—accented by subtle peppery hop character that does not dominate.
not found:juicy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Black Sheep Smooth

◎ Appearance

Rich amber hue with excellent clarity and a stable, creamy head that clings to the glass. The carbonation is gentle and persistent, reflecting the beer's restrained character. Light catches the liquid with warm, honey-toned translucence.

rich amberclearcreamy headgentle carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with soft, grainy malt notes—toasted bread and light caramel—accented by subtle peppery hop character that does not dominate. There is a refined earthiness beneath, with no harsh alcohol presence despite the hop bitterness integrated into the profile. The overall impression is restrained and approachable.

toasted grainlight caramelpeppery hopsearthy

◐ Taste

The palate opens with smooth, malty sweetness that defines the entry without becoming cloying. Mid-palate reveals a silky, creamy texture that carries the malt forward, while a measured peppery bitterness from noble hops provides balance and prevents flatness. The interplay between soft malt and restrained hop bite creates an easy-drinking character suited to session format.

malty sweetnesssilky mouthfeelbalanced bitternessclean palate

◑ Finish

The finish is crisp and clean, with the peppery hop notes receding briskly to leave behind a pleasant, dry aftertaste. The malt fades without lingering harshness, allowing for seamless progression to the next sip.

cleandry finishpeppery decay
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
75
Taste
80
Appearance
82
Finish
76
Serve at 8–11°C

Serve at 8–11°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 Black Sheep Smooth

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About Amber Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Amber Ale?

Amber Ales have 4.5–6.2% ABV and IBU 25–40. Caramel malt sweetness balanced by moderate hop bitterness, a reddish-amber colour and smooth finish.

Finding a similar Amber Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same creamy, smooth, light character as Black Sheep Smooth will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →Explore all Amber Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse United Kingdom beers →