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Rev James Pale

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A pale ale with fruity citrus flavours and a clean bitterness, finishing smooth. It is one of four ales, with Original, Gold and Rye, named after Reverend James Buckley, who took over the Llanelli Brewery in 1824 from his father-in-law. The line joined the Brains range in 1997. The strength is 4.2 % ABV.

ABV
4.2%
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
fruitycitrusyclean
fruity
citrusy
clean
hoppy
malty
Aroma
The nose opens with bright citrus notes—lemon zest and grapefruit—layered over a supporting bed of soft Malz character.
not found:juicy,caramel,sour,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Rev James Pale

◎ Appearance

Rev James Pale presents a luminous pale golden hue with excellent clarity and a fine, persistent white head that lays down delicate lacing as you drink. The carbonation is lively and well-integrated, creating a gentle cascade of bubbles that sustains the foam throughout.

pale goldenclearpersistent head

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with bright citrus notes—lemon zest and grapefruit—layered over a supporting bed of soft Malz character. Noble hops contribute an herbaceous, slightly floral undertone without aggressive intensity, creating an inviting and balanced aromatic profile.

citrus zestnoble hopssoft malt

◐ Taste

The palate begins clean and crisp, with a gentle fruity sweetness of orchard fruits and citrus that transitions smoothly into a moderate bitterness. The bitterness is well-structured and resolves with restraint, allowing the malt backbone to remain present rather than harsh or astringent.

fruity entrymoderate bitternessbalanced malt

◑ Finish

The finish is dry and refreshing, with lingering citrus notes fading into a soft herbal dryness. The aftertaste remains clean and inviting rather than lingering excessively.

dryrefreshing
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
77
Taste
79
Appearance
80
Finish
76
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 Rev James Pale

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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 fruity, citrusy, bitter character as Rev James Pale 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 →