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Dark Velvet Mild

Spitting Feathers Brewery
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🌍 United Kingdom · Dark Mild · One of 5 Dark Milds in hopIQ

"Malts take centre stage with a mix of crystal and chocolate with a dash of roasted barley to produce nutty aromas complemented by the addition of Goldings hops. Resting toward the higher volume for its variety, Dark Velvet Mild remains sessionable whilst finding the sweet spot for flavour and body." Gluten-free, vegan. A rare and celebrated dark mild.

ABV
3.6%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Roasted bitterness
SRM
dark30
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 Dark Mild.
Hop character
floral
Malt character
malty
nutty
chocolate
roasted
caramel
Distinctive notes
smooth drinking
dark fruit
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Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Dark Velvet Mild

Appearance

Deep brown to nearly black in colour, displaying the characteristic opacity of a dark mild. The head is compact and modest, with a fine texture that clings gently to the glass in fine lacework. The low carbonation is evident in the gentle rise of bubbles, contributing to the relaxed, approachable character.

deep browncompact headfine lacinglow carbonation

Aroma

The nose leads with warm nutty notes drawn from a blend of crystal and chocolate malts, underpinned by gentle roasted barley undertones. Goldings hops contribute restrained floral and herbal whispers, while subtle caramel sweetness rounds out the profile without dominance. The overall impression is one of soft, inviting complexity.

nuttyroasted grainsubtle caramelfloral hops

Taste

Entry is soft and malt-driven, with layers of chocolate and nuttiness establishing themselves cleanly on the palate. Mid-palate reveals a pleasant sweetness balanced by gentle roasted notes and low but persistent bitterness from the Goldings. The body is full enough to carry flavour without heaviness, remaining supremely drinkable throughout.

chocolate, nuttybalanced sweetnesslow bitternesssmooth palate

Finish

The finish is dry and lingering, with roasted and nutty notes persisting gently. Despite the low alcohol and mild bitterness profile, there is satisfying depth and a clean decay.

dry finishnutty aftertaste
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
84
Appearance
78
Finish
80
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Dark Velvet Mild

Serve at 10–13°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 10–13°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 Dark Velvet Mild

About Dark Mild

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Dark Mild?

Dark Mild 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 Dark Mild

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same nutty, malty, sweet character as Dark Velvet Mild will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Dark Milds in hopIQ