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Albion Ale

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A 4.0% bitter derived from Sussex Best and bottled for Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club. Harvey's first made it in 2011, when the club opened its new stadium. A blend of four local aroma hop varieties gives a delicate bitterness and a distinctly hoppy finish, balanced by the residual sweetness of the malt sugars.

ABV
4%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Herbal, floral bitterness
SRM
amber12
PaceSession
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
hoppymaltyfloral
hoppy
malty
floral
caramel
Aroma
The nose opens with a delicate blend of four local aroma hop varieties, imparting subtle herbal and floral notes without aggression.
not found:juicy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Albion Ale

◎ Appearance

A clear, amber-tinted pour with a rich copper hue characteristic of the style. The head forms generously and maintains good retention, leaving a fine lacing of foam that clings to the glass. Carbonation is present and visible, contributing to the beer's liveliness.

copper-ambergood head retentionclear

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with a delicate blend of four local aroma hop varieties, imparting subtle herbal and floral notes without aggression. Beneath the hops sits a soft, biscuity malt base that grounds the bouquet. There is no yeast-driven funkiness; the aroma remains clean and approachable, inviting further exploration.

herbal hopsbiscuity maltdelicatefloral

◐ Taste

Entry is smooth and balanced, with the malt's residual sweetness forming the foundation of the palate. Mid-palate develops a gentle, lingering bitterness from the hop blend, which avoids harshness despite the 28 IBUs. The interplay between malt sweetness and hoppy spice is the hallmark of this bitter, with neither element overpowering the other.

malt-forwardbalanced bitternesshop spice

◑ Finish

The finish is distinctly hoppy, with the aroma hops reasserting themselves as the malt sweetness recedes. Bitterness lingers pleasantly on the palate without becoming dry or astringent, making for a satisfying close.

hoppy aftertastemedium length
76
hopIQ score
Aroma
75
Taste
77
Appearance
76
Finish
75
Serve at 8–11°C

Serve at 8–11°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass

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

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Albion Ale

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About Ordinary Bitter

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Ordinary Bitter?

Ordinary Bitter is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Ordinary Bitter

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same hoppy, bitter, sweet character as Albion Ale will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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