hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Carlton Dry 3.5%

Australia·Mid-Strength Lager
Tap to rate

Carlton Dry 3.5% is the mid-strength member of the range, launched in March 2024 in cans, with bottles following later that year. According to the brewer it shows a slightly fruity character, soft bitterness and a light palate, and stays easy-drinking with the dry finish the brand is known for. It is promoted with 40% fewer carbohydrates than the group's classic mid-strength lager and under 100 calories per serve, and the trade press reported it as Australia's best-selling new beer of its launch year.

ABV
3.5%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
SRM
pale gold4
PaceSession
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
fruityclean
fruity
clean
Aroma
The nose is clean and understated, dominated by soft grain and cracker notes that emerge from the extended fermentation.
not found:hoppy,caramel,sour,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Carlton Dry 3.5%

◎ Appearance

Pale straw in colour, presenting a bright and transparent clarity. The head forms lightly and settles quickly, with minimal lacing retention on the glass. Carbonation is evident but restrained, appropriate for the mid-strength format.

pale strawbrilliant claritylight carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose is clean and understated, dominated by soft grain and cracker notes that emerge from the extended fermentation. A subtle herbal character appears on closer inspection, with no sharp or aggressive hop aromatics. The overall impression is one of restraint and simplicity.

soft grainherbal notescracker-like

◐ Taste

Entry is crisp and dry, with light grain character and a thin malt line forming the structural backbone. The palate progresses cleanly without sweetness, maintaining the dryness established by the long fermentation. Bitterness registers at twelve IBU as herbal rather than sharp, finishing with a quick and clean exit.

dry grainherbal bitternesscrisp finish

◑ Finish

The finish is dry and brief, offering no lingering sweetness or residual malt. The herbal bitterness fades quickly, leaving only a clean and refreshing aftertaste.

dryquick finish
74
hopIQ score
Aroma
72
Taste
75
Appearance
76
Finish
74
+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Carlton Dry 3.5%

Serve at 4–7°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 4–7°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Stein
Recommended for this style

The sturdy German stein maintains temperature and keeps carbonation intact. Built for long, convivial drinking.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Carlton Dry 3.5%

About Mid-Strength Lager

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Mid-Strength Lager?

Mid-Strength Lager is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Mid-Strength Lager

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same dry, smooth-drinking, light character as Carlton Dry 3.5% will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Mid-Strength Lagers in hopIQ

Compare with another beer →