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Higsons Pale Ale

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Biscuity malts and citrussy hops meet a robust bitter kick, and the beer stays smooth and easy to drink. Higsons was founded in Liverpool in 1780 and has been enjoyed by generations of beer drinkers; today the name is brewed at the Love Lane brewery in the Baltic Triangle. This pale ale is listed on cask only, at 4.5 % ABV.

ABV
4.5%
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
citrusyhoppymalty
citrusy
hoppy
malty
clean
Aroma
Biscuity malt character forms the foundation, offering subtle sweetness and a gentle grain-forward nose.
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Higsons Pale Ale

◎ Appearance

Clear, pale golden color with an SRM of 8 suggests a bright, inviting visual presence. The cask conditioning promises firm head retention and natural carbonation that builds structure without aggression. Moderate white lacing clings to the glass, reflecting traditional ale character.

pale goldenclearfirm head

◌ Aroma

Biscuity malt character forms the foundation, offering subtle sweetness and a gentle grain-forward nose. Citrus notes from the noble hops emerge cleanly without sharpness, creating a balanced and approachable aromatics. The overall profile remains restrained and inviting, with no harsh alcohol or yeast volatility.

biscuity maltcitrus notesrestrained

◐ Taste

The palate opens with soft, biscuit-driven sweetness from well-rounded malts before citrus and floral hop character surface mid-palate. A robust bitter finish arrives with clean definition at 35 IBUs, assertive enough to grip the tongue without overwhelming. The beer maintains drinkability throughout, balancing malt sweetness against hop bitterness in steady proportion.

biscuit forwardcitrus hop bitesmooth bitterness

◑ Finish

Medium-length finish with lingering dry bitterness and subtle malt echo. The aftertaste remains clean and refreshing, leaving no cloying residue.

dry bitternessrefreshing
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
76
Taste
79
Appearance
78
Finish
77
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 Higsons Pale Ale

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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 bitter, smooth, smooth-drinking character as Higsons Pale Ale 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 →