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Gaffel SonnenHopfen

Privatbrauerei Gaffel
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🌍 Germany · Pale Ale · One of 191 Pale Ales in hopIQ

Gaffel SonnenHopfen is the brewery's Cologne Pale Ale: top-fermented, unfiltered and naturally hazy, hopped exclusively with Citra from the Yakima Valley, always from a single harvest year to keep the character steady. At 4.9 percent and just 10 IBU the bitterness stays in the background. The hop brings lime, grapefruit and ripe lemon with tropical fruit and melon, plus floral, grassy and herbal notes, while soft malt and a spicy yeast note carry the light, fresh body into a dry finish.

ABV
4.9%
Bitterness
Mild10 IBU
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
See all Pale Ale alternatives →

AWARDS

Gold
DLG-Prämierung
★Gold — DLG-Prämierung
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Medium body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Off-dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Soft bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Crisp mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

A gentle-edged beer where the base malt sets the tone — approachable through and through.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Pale Ale.
Hop character
citrusy
tropical
floral
grassy
herbal
hoppy
Distinctive notes
hazy
spicy

FEATURED IN

Featured inThe Best German Pale Ales→

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Gaffel SonnenHopfen

◎ Appearance

SonnenHopfen presents a hazy golden body with a finely woven, persistent white head that clings to the glass with excellent lacing. The natural cloudiness from the unfiltered, top-fermented character is integral to its identity. Fine carbonation rises steadily, creating a lively yet composed visual presence.

golden, naturally hazybright white headfine carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose is dominated by bright Citra hop character: lime zest and grapefruit pith mingle with ripe lemon and stone fruit, complemented by melon and subtle tropical notes. A soft, grainy malt foundation provides gentle support, while the top-fermentation introduces delicate spice and herbal grassiness. The overall impression is fresh, citrus-forward, and inviting.

citrus zest, lime, grapefruittropical fruit, melonherbal, grassy spice

◐ Taste

The palate opens with crisp citrus and tropical fruit from the Citra hops, evolving into layered lemon, grapefruit, and floral notes. Soft malt sweetness provides a light, delicate foundation without heaviness, while spicy yeast notes add complexity. Bitterness remains restrained at just 10 IBU, allowing hop character to shine without astringency; the finish trends toward clean and dry.

citrus, tropical fruitlight body, dryfloral, herbal finish

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and refreshing, with lingering citrus notes fading gracefully into a dry, slightly herbal aftertaste. No cloying sweetness or harsh bitterness remains—only a light, pleasant dryness that invites the next sip.

dry, crispcitrus fade
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
83
Appearance
81
Finish
80
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Gaffel SonnenHopfen

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

Cold enough to sharpen the hop aroma without numbing the palate. Around 7–9°C keeps the citrus and pine vivid without losing bitterness definition.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

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

Drink fresh — hop aroma fades fast. Best within 3 months of canning or bottling.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Gaffel SonnenHopfen

About Pale Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Pale Ale?

India Pale Ales are hop-forward ales with ABV typically 5.5–7.5% and IBU 40–70+. Bold citrus, pine or tropical aromas alongside firm bitterness and a clean dry finish.

Finding a similar Pale Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same citrusy, tropical, hazy character as Gaffel SonnenHopfen will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Pale Ales in hopIQ

Compare with another beer →Explore all Pale Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse Germany beers →