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Venom and Virtue

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Venom and Virtue is a nettle ale at 4.2 %: a light, crisp traditional pale ale infused with nettles. The brewery brought the idea back after a decade as a limited seasonal brew. Pale straw in colour, it has a fresh, zesty aroma and a light, grassy palate. The nettles add a tingling herbal kick, and the finish is zesty and clean.

ABV
4.2%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
PaceSession
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
herbalgrassycitrusy
herbal
grassy
citrusy
clean
hoppy
malty
Aroma
The nose opens with fresh, zesty citrus and green herbal notes from the pale malt foundation.
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Venom and Virtue

◎ Appearance

Pale straw in colour with excellent clarity and a bright, inviting appearance. A fine white head forms readily and disperses with good lacing retention, leaving delicate trails down the glass. Carbonation is lively and well-integrated, creating a visibly effervescent pour.

pale strawbright, clearcrisp carbonationgood head lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with fresh, zesty citrus and green herbal notes from the pale malt foundation. Nettles contribute a distinctive grassy, peppery character that adds complexity and natural garden-like freshness. Subtle floral and herbal undertones round out the aromatic profile, with restrained noble hop character providing gentle spice.

fresh citrusgrassy nettlesherbal, pepperygarden-fresh

◐ Taste

Entry is light and crisp with clean pale malt sweetness providing a soft foundation. The mid-palate develops the nettle character prominently—a tingling herbal bite that enlivens without overwhelming, accompanied by light grassy notes. Bitterness is measured at 35 IBU, offering balance without harshness, while the ale finishes with a dry, refreshing quality.

light, cleanherbal bitetingling sensationbalanced bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is zesty and clean with a dry aftertaste that invites another sip. The nettle's herbal character lingers briefly before fading, leaving the palate refreshed and palatable.

zesty, dryherbal faderefreshing
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
79
Taste
78
Appearance
80
Finish
76
Serve at 7–10°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 Venom and Virtue

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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 crisp, herbal, grassy character as Venom and Virtue will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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