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Higsons Brown Ale

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Malt and nutty flavours come first, followed by a slight clove note and a lightly bittered finish. The bitterness stays low and the colour dark. The hops are British, First Gold and Goldings. This northern-style brown ale carries the Higsons name, founded in Liverpool in 1780, and comes in the 500 ml bottle at 3.4 % ABV.

ABV
3.4%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
deep amber20
PaceSession
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
nuttymaltyclove
nutty
malty
clove
spicy
toasty
caramel
Aroma
Malt and hazelnut lead the nose, grounded in toasted grain character.
also:bready
not found:hoppy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Higsons Brown Ale

◎ Appearance

Deep chestnut brown with a warm, translucent quality when held to light. A modest tan head forms and recedes quickly, leaving fine lacing on the glass. The beer presents clear, still clarity with gentle carbonation befitting a traditional session ale.

deep chestnut browntranslucentmodest head

◌ Aroma

Malt and hazelnut lead the nose, grounded in toasted grain character. A delicate spice note emerges—clove-like and herbaceous—from the British hop bill. The overall impression is restrained and earthy, with no sharp alcohol volatility despite the modest ABV.

nutty, toasted maltclove spiceBritish herbal hops

◐ Taste

The palate opens with nut and Malz sweetness that establishes the beer's foundation without cloying. Mid-palate reveals gentle spice and a light herbal edge from First Gold and Goldings hops. The finish dries with measured bitterness that lingers briefly without dominating.

nutty and malty entrylight herbal bitternessdry finish

◑ Finish

A clean, measured aftertaste persists for several seconds, balancing residual sweetness against restrained hop bitterness. The low IBU profile ensures no harshness, leaving the palate ready for another sip.

clean, measuredbalanced sweetness
75
hopIQ score
Aroma
76
Taste
74
Appearance
75
Finish
74
Serve at 10–13°C

Serve at 10–13°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 Higsons Brown Ale

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About Brown Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Brown Ale?

Brown Ale 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 Brown Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same nutty, malty, clove character as Higsons Brown Ale will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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