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Duckpin

Union Craft Brewing
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🌍 United States · American Pale Ale · One of 212 American Pale Ales in hopIQ

Named for Baltimore's own low-key bowling variant, Duckpin is Union's flagship pale ale — light golden and refreshing with a clean malt body, gentle Cascade and Centennial citrus and pine, and a crisp, dry finish. Easy-drinking, characterful, and completely Baltimore.

ABV
4.5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Resinous 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

Each axis lands close to the centre in a considered, even reading.

A profile in balance where the form comes from all sides, every layer speaks in turn.

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
piney
floral
Malt character
malty
Fermentation & yeast
clean
Distinctive notes
smooth drinking
Compare with another beer →

FEATURED IN

Featured inThe Best American Pale Ales

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 crisp, light, clean character as Duckpin will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other American Pale Ales in hopIQ

Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Duckpin

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.

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Duckpin

Appearance

Duckpin presents a pale golden hue with excellent clarity and bright luminosity. The head forms quickly and holds with fine, persistent lacing that clings to the glass wall. Carbonation is crisp and visible, creating a lively visual presence.

pale goldenclear and brightfine lacingwell-carbonated

Aroma

The nose leads with Cascade and Centennial hops, displaying herbaceous pine and citrus zest—grapefruit pith and lemon notes—without aggression. A clean malt foundation emerges underneath, offering subtle grain sweetness. Light floral undertones round out the profile.

Cascade and Centennialcitrus zestherbal pineclean grain

Taste

Entry is light and crisp, with a clean malt body that avoids heaviness. The mid-palate balances gentle citrus and pine notes with soft grain character, building into moderate bitterness that remains integrated rather than dominant. The finish dries cleanly without astringency.

light malt bodybalanced hop bitternesscitrus and pinedry finish

Finish

The aftertaste is crisp and brief, leaving behind dry, herbaceous hop character and faint citrus. No lingering sweetness or harshness—just clean, refreshing closure.

crisp and drybrief aftertaste
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
78
Taste
78
Appearance
82
Finish
75
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Food Pairing

What to eat with Duckpin

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

WHERE TO BUY

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