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Cloudwater Pale Ale

Cloudwater Brew Co
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🌍 United Kingdom · American Pale Ale · One of 231 American Pale Ales in hopIQ

Cloudwater's approachable everyday pale — soft, citrusy, and refreshing. The session companion to the DIPAs. Cloudwater's seasonal approach means this evolves constantly but maintains its clean, balanced character.

ABV
4.2%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
pale gold4
See all American Pale Ale alternatives →
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
hopIQ take

Even from Body through Texture, the taste structure is evenly distributed.

Harmony over emphasis — the beer is built for each note to sit at the same volume.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another American Pale Ale.
Hop character
citrusy
hoppy
orange
Malt character
malty
Fermentation & yeast
clean
fruity
Compare with another beer →

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Cloudwater Pale Ale

Appearance

A pale golden hue with excellent clarity and lively carbonation. The head forms quickly and clings to the glass with fine, persistent lacing. The beer presents a bright, inviting appearance that signals its approachable nature.

pale goldencrystal cleartight carbonationpersistent lacing

Aroma

The nose leads with bright citrus—predominantly orange zest—backed by clean noble hop character. Subtle malt underpinning provides a soft, grainy foundation without any harsh or oxidative notes. The aromatic profile remains restrained and balanced, characteristic of a well-crafted session ale.

orange zestnoble hopsclean grainrefreshing

Taste

Entry is crisp and light, with immediate citrus flavors that echo the aroma. The mid-palate remains clean and balanced, with moderate hop bitterness that integrates seamlessly rather than asserting dominance. Light malt sweetness provides structure without heaviness, allowing the refreshing character to dominate throughout.

citrus-forwardmoderate bitternesslight maltcrisp palate

Finish

The finish is dry and clean, with lingering citrus notes fading into a soft hoppy aftertaste. No harsh bitterness or residual sweetness; the beer returns to neutral with graceful efficiency.

drycitrus fadeclean aftertaste
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
78
Appearance
82
Finish
75
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Cloudwater Pale Ale

Serve at 7–10°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 7–10°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

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

Food Pairing

What to eat with Cloudwater Pale Ale

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 refreshing, citrusy, clean character as Cloudwater Pale Ale will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other American Pale Ales in hopIQ

Explore all American Pale Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse United Kingdom beers →