hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Cardinal Pale Ale

Tap to rate

The beer that started it all for Nebraska Brewing, and still its best-selling flagship. A golden, crystal-clear American pale ale heavily dry-hopped with Cascade for big orange-citrus and floral aromatics over a caramel malt backbone. Named National Grand Champion Pale Ale at the 2014 U.S. Beer Tasting Championship.

ABV
6.0%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
What makes this beer itself
MaltHop
hoppycitrusyfloral
hoppy
citrusy
floral
caramel
malty
orange
Aroma
The nose is dominated by citrus and floral Cascade hop character, with pronounced orange zest and herbal florality.
also:clean,fruity
not found:juicy,roasted,sour,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Cardinal Pale Ale

◎ Appearance

A bright golden hue with excellent clarity and transparency. The head forms quickly and clings to the glass with fine, persistent lacing. Carbonation is moderate and well-integrated, creating a lively yet composed presentation.

bright goldencrystal clearstable headfine lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose is dominated by citrus and floral Cascade hop character, with pronounced orange zest and herbal florality. A supporting malt foundation of caramel and light sweetness emerges beneath the hop intensity, without competing. Clean and inviting, with no off-notes.

orange citrusCascade floralscaramel sweetnessclean, inviting

◐ Taste

The palate opens with balanced malt sweetness and hop bitterness in equal measure. Mid-palate reveals layered orange and floral notes from the dry-hopping, supported by a gentle caramel malt body. Bitterness builds steadily toward the finish, remaining composed and not harsh.

balanced malt-hopdry-hopped citrusmoderate bitternessclean palate

◑ Finish

The finish is crisp and refreshing, with lingering citrus and a subtle herbal dryness. The aftertaste remains clean, fading gracefully without astringency.

crisp, drycitrus lingeringrefreshing fade
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
82
Appearance
85
Finish
78
Serve at 7–10°C

Serve at 7–10°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.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with Cardinal Pale Ale

More from Nebraska Brewing Company

IPA
IPA
American IPA
7.0%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →
Mélange à Trois
Mélange à Trois
Belgian Strong Ale
11.3%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →

About American Pale Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a American Pale Ale?

Pale Ales balance malt sweetness with moderate hop character at 4.5–6% ABV and IBU 20–40. Approachable with floral, citrus or earthy notes over a biscuit malt base.

Finding a similar American Pale Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same hoppy, citrusy, floral character as Cardinal Pale Ale will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →Explore all American Pale Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse United States beers →