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Cairngorm IPA

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Cairngorm IPA brings pine, tropical fruit and citrus aromas from New World hops over subtle malt undertones to a mouth-watering finish, a golden pale ale at 5.0% ABV. The brewery deliberately holds the hopping back. The keg version won Gold in the Keg Pale Ale class of the SIBA awards for Scotland in 2025 and Silver in 2026.

ABV
5%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
PaceA Few

AWARDS

Gold · 2025
SIBA Indie Beer Awards (regional, Scotland)
Keg Pale Ale (4.5% – 5.5%)
Silver · 2026
SIBA Indie Beer Awards (regional, Scotland)
Keg Pale Ale (4.5% – 5.5%)
★Gold — SIBA Indie Beer Awards (regional, Scotland) (Keg Pale Ale (4.5% – 5.5%))
★Silver — SIBA Indie Beer Awards (regional, Scotland) (Keg Pale Ale (4.5% – 5.5%))
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
tropicalpineycitrusy
tropical
piney
citrusy
hoppy
malty
clean
Aroma
The nose opens with vibrant New World hop character: tropical stone fruits and citrus zest dominate, backed by resinous pine notes that give the beer complexity.
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Cairngorm IPA

◎ Appearance

A bright golden pale ale with excellent clarity and a fine, persistent white head that clings to the glass with consistent lacing. The carbonation is lively and well-integrated, creating a visually appetizing presentation that suggests a well-balanced brew.

bright goldenclear and cleanpersistent head

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with vibrant New World hop character: tropical stone fruits and citrus zest dominate, backed by resinous pine notes that give the beer complexity. Subtle malt undertones provide a soft, grainy foundation without overwhelming the aromatic profile.

tropical and citruspine resindelicate malt base

◐ Taste

Entry is crisp and refreshing with a bright citrus attack from the hops. The mid-palate balances tropical fruit and piney spice against clean malt sweetness, while moderate bitterness builds gently and lingers without harshness. The restrained hopping philosophy allows both hop character and malt to speak clearly.

citrus-forwardbalanced bitternesscrisp and clean

◑ Finish

The finish is dry and mouth-watering, with lingering citrus and pine notes that fade gradually to a clean, slightly bitter aftertaste. The moderate alcohol content ensures a light, refreshing conclusion.

dry and cleanlingering citrus-pine
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
83
Appearance
85
Finish
78
Serve at 8–11°C

Serve well-chilled. Session IPAs are at their best cold — the lower ABV means less warmth to balance the hops.

Tulip glass

The curved shape concentrates hop aromas and supports a thick head. Essential for aromatic ales and IPAs where the nose is half the experience.

Drink fresh. Session IPAs are brewed to be consumed young — the hops are at their best now.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Cairngorm IPA

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About IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a IPA?

IPAs are hop-forward ales with 5.5–7.5% ABV and IBU 40–70+. Bold hop aroma — citrus, tropical, resinous — with firm bitterness and a dry, clean finish.

Finding a similar IPA

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same tropical, piney, citrusy character as Cairngorm IPA will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →Explore all IPA beers in hopIQ →New to IPA? Read our guide →Browse United Kingdom beers →