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Boddingtons Pub Ale

Boddingtons
United Kingdom·Pale Ale
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Boddingtons Pub Ale is a malty pale ale with a slightly sweet taste, topped by the dense, creamy head the brand is known for. That head comes from the widget can: a nitrogen-filled ball inside the can keeps it stable. Boddingtons began in 1778 as the Strangeways Brewery in Manchester and introduced the widget can in 1992, one of the first beers to do so. This version has 4.6 % ABV.

ABV
4.6%
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
maltycleanhoppy
malty
clean
hoppy
citrusy
Aroma
The nose presents gentle malty sweetness with subtle caramel undertones, complemented by a light herbal and citrus hop character.
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Boddingtons Pub Ale

◎ Appearance

Pale golden hue with bright clarity and excellent transparency. The hallmark dense, creamy head forms immediately and persists throughout the glass, clinging to the walls in fine lacing. Fine carbonation is evident in steady bubbles rising through the liquid.

pale goldendense cream headexcellent retentionbright clarity

◌ Aroma

The nose presents gentle malty sweetness with subtle caramel undertones, complemented by a light herbal and citrus hop character. There is a soft, clean grain quality without aggressive or harsh notes. The overall aromatic profile remains restrained and inviting rather than forceful.

soft malt sweetnesslight herbal hopsclean grainsubtle citrus

◐ Taste

Creamy mouthfeel dominates the palate, supported by malty sweetness that sits at the center of the flavor profile. Moderate bitterness from noble hops provides balance without dominating. The finish is clean and dry, with a pleasant crispness that offsets the residual sweetness.

creamy bodymalty centermoderate bitternessclean finish

◑ Finish

Short to medium finish with the sweetness gradually fading into a dry, slightly hoppy aftertaste. Refreshing and uncluttered, leaving the palate ready for the next sip.

short-mediumdry aftertasterefreshing
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
76
Taste
78
Appearance
85
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 Boddingtons Pub Ale

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 creamy, malty, smooth character as Boddingtons Pub Ale 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 →