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DBA

Firestone Walker Brewing Company
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🌍 United States · English Pale Ale · One of 12 English Pale Ales in hopIQ

DBA, short for Double Barrel Ale, was the brewery's first beer and pays tribute to English ales fermented in wooden casks: it is fermented in American oak barrels. The palate is built on malt rather than hops, with ribbons of caramel and English toffee over a biscuity base, framed by toasted oak, a light vanilla touch and a faint smokiness. Bitterness stays in the background, and the finish is smooth and dry.

ABV
5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter30 IBU
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
golden8
See all English Pale Ale alternatives →

AWARDS

Gold · 2018
World Beer Cup
Ordinary or Special Bitter
Bronze · 2024
European Beer Star
English-Style Bitters
Gold · 2025
European Beer Star
English-Style Bitter
Silver · 2025
Great American Beer Festival
Silver · 2025
Brussels Beer Challenge
★Gold — World Beer Cup (Ordinary or Special Bitter)
★Bronze — European Beer Star (English-Style Bitters)
★Gold — European Beer Star (English-Style Bitter)
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Medium body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Moderate bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Crisp mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

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.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another English Pale Ale.
Malt character
malty
caramel
toasty
Distinctive notes
oak
vanilla
smoky
Hop character
hoppy

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for DBA

◎ Appearance

DBA presents a clear, golden-amber body with excellent clarity and a modest, persistent head that leaves fine lacing as it recedes. The color reflects the moderate caramel malt base and light oak influence. Carbonation is gentle and well-integrated, suggesting a refined effervescence.

golden-amber, clearfine lacinggentle carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with warm caramel and English toffee notes, underpinned by a toasted malt character that carries hints of vanilla and light oak. Subtle smokiness emerges in the background, while noble hops remain understated, allowing the malt-forward profile to dominate. The overall impression is balanced and inviting rather than assertive.

caramel, toffeetoasted maltvanilla oaksubtle smoke

◐ Taste

The palate unfolds with a biscuity malt foundation that transitions through ribbons of caramel sweetness before introducing toasted oak and faint vanilla nuances. Bitterness remains restrained throughout, providing frame without dominance, while a light smokiness adds textural complexity. The structure is clean and well-defined, with malt clearly steering the composition.

biscuit maltcaramel sweetnessrestrained bitternesstoasted oak

◑ Finish

The finish is smooth and decidedly dry, with the bitterness lingering gently and the oak-vanilla notes fading gracefully. A mineral, malt-driven aftertaste rounds out the experience without harshness.

smooth, drymalt-driven aftertaste
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
77
Taste
80
Appearance
76
Finish
77
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of DBA

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 DBA

About English Pale Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a English 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 English Pale Ale

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

Other English Pale Ales in hopIQ

Compare with another beer →Explore all English Pale Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse United States beers →