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Chain Reaction

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"A chain reaction of ingredients brings this pale ale brewed with an English base malt and two big American hops giving orange and citrus flavours — a chain makers' session dream." Named after cycling's chain mechanism. Fixed Wheel's most popular everyday pale ale.

ABV
4.5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
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
hoppycitrusymalty
hoppy
citrusy
malty
orange
clean
fruity
Aroma
The nose leads with pronounced American hop character, delivering distinct orange and citrus notes that dominate the sensory profile.
also:bready
not found:juicy,caramel,sour,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Chain Reaction

◎ Appearance

Chain Reaction presents a pale golden hue with excellent clarity and bright translucence. The head forms with moderate density and exhibits fine, persistent lacing that clings to the glass. Carbonation is lively, producing a steady stream of fine bubbles that sustain the foam structure throughout drinking.

pale goldenclear and brightfine lacingwell-carbonated

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with pronounced American hop character, delivering distinct orange and citrus notes that dominate the sensory profile. Beneath the hop-forward aromatics, subtle English malz undertones provide a clean, biscuity backdrop without overwhelming the composition. The overall impression is crisp and inviting, with no harsh or vegetal hop character.

orange zestcitrus-forwardclean malt baseAmerican hops

◐ Taste

The palate opens with a clean, hoppy character that emphasizes citrus and orange flavors in the mid-section. A light, crisp malt sweetness provides structure and balance without heaviness, while moderate bitterness (38 IBU) arrives steadily but remains restrained. The finish is dry and refreshing, with lingering hop bitterness that fades gradually rather than assertively.

citrus bitedry finishmoderate bitternesslight and crisp

◑ Finish

The aftertaste is clean and moderately long, allowing citrus and hop notes to linger briefly before fading. The beer's low alcohol content and crisp carbonation ensure a refreshing exit without any warming or cloying sensation.

clean aftertasterefreshing fade
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
82
Taste
77
Appearance
80
Finish
75
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.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Chain Reaction

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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, crisp character as Chain Reaction 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 Kingdom beers →