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Orin

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Dark fruit, toffee, oak and brandy warmth come together in this 13.2% ale aged in bourbon and brandy barrels, with apple cola and brown sugar alongside. Orin reappears each autumn, a singular barrel-aged stalwart that Half Acre, a Chicago brewery founded in 2007, keeps steady in form year after year.

ABV
13.2%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
pale gold4
PaceSipper
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
oakdark fruitcaramel
oak
dark fruit
caramel
fruity
clean
malty
Aroma
The nose leads with oak-forward aromatics from extended barrel contact, followed by dark stone fruit and subtle leather notes.
not found:hoppy,roasted,sour,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Orin

◎ Appearance

Orin presents a pale golden hue with exceptional clarity, characteristic of its modest 4 SRM rating. The head forms modestly and dissipates with moderate persistence, leaving delicate lacing that clings to the glass. The body shows light carbonation appropriate to its barrel-aged character.

pale goldenclearmoderate head retention

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with oak-forward aromatics from extended barrel contact, followed by dark stone fruit and subtle leather notes. Beneath lies a warming brandy and bourbon alcohol presence, complemented by hints of toffee and brown sugar that suggest a complex malt bill. The overall bouquet is measured and sophisticated, without aggressive heat.

oak-forwarddark fruitbourbon warmthtoffee sweetness

◐ Taste

Entry reveals immediate toffee and caramel richness, building toward pronounced dark fruit character across the mid-palate. The oak integration is seamless, supported by the 13.2% ABV which manifests as smooth brandy warmth rather than sharp alcohol. Low IBU (22) allows the sweet, malty foundation to dominate, while brown sugar and apple cola notes provide subtle complexity without harshness.

caramel-richoak-integratedboozy warmthlow bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish extends gracefully, with lingering toffee and dark fruit notes fading slowly into warming alcohol. A clean, slightly drying character emerges as the palate clears, leaving behind sweet malt memory without cloying residue.

warm fadelong finish
86
hopIQ score
Aroma
87
Taste
88
Appearance
82
Finish
85
Serve at 4–7°C

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

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.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Orin

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About Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a 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 Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same oak, dark fruit, boozy character as Orin will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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