hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Great Leap Pale Ale #6

Great Leap Brewing
Tap to rate
🌍 China · American Pale Ale · One of 231 American Pale Ales in hopIQ

Great Leap's core American Pale Ale — the beer that built their reputation before Honey Ma stole the show. Citrus and floral American hops over a solid malt base with a satisfying bitter finish. #6 is Great Leap's workhorse: the reliable, well-made Pale Ale that introduced Beijing's expat community to craft beer in those early hutong years.

ABV
5.8%
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

Balanced backbone, with every axis close to the middle.

Nothing dominates, and that is the craft — each element gets room to be tasted.

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
floral
Malt character
malty
Fermentation & yeast
clean
Compare with another beer →

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Great Leap Pale Ale #6

Appearance

Pale golden in color with excellent clarity and a fine, persistent white head that builds and clings to the glass with each sip. Carbonation is lively and visible, creating a bright, inviting visual presence that speaks to careful conditioning and freshness.

pale goldenbright claritypersistent headwell-carbonated

Aroma

The nose leads with vibrant American hop character—crisp citrus notes of grapefruit and lemon zest combine with delicate floral undertones. Behind the hops sits a clean, supportive malt base that doesn't intrude, allowing the Edelhopfen to hold the foreground.

citrus zestfloral hopscleanapproachable

Taste

Entry is bright and direct, with citrus and floral hop flavors establishing themselves immediately on the palate. The mid-palate shows balanced malt sweetness—neither cloying nor thin—before a measured bitterness builds through the middle and into the finish, resolving clean and dry.

citrus-forwardbalanced bitternessmalt foundationdry finish

Finish

The finish is crisp and moderately dry, with lingering hop bitterness that fades cleanly without harsh edges. Aftertaste leans toward citrus and a gentle herbal dryness, inviting another sip.

drylingering bitternessrefreshing
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
78
Appearance
80
Finish
75
+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Great Leap Pale Ale #6

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 Great Leap Pale Ale #6

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 hoppy, citrusy, floral character as Great Leap Pale Ale #6 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 China beers →