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Sunburst

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The first beer in the Holden's Craft line, launched in 2024 and described by the brewery as its American pale ale. It pours as pale as straw, with a medium body and a soft, juicy mouthfeel. Citrus leads the aroma, followed by delicate tropical fruit, a biscuity malt base and a hint of sweetness, before a light, smooth bitterness closes the beer. Drinkers mention fruity hops and orange peel. It was developed over several test brews by the youngest generation of the family and is hopped with American varieties.

ABV
4.5%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter20 IBU
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden7
PaceSession
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
citrusyjuicyfruity
citrusy
juicy
fruity
tropical
orange
hoppy
Aroma
The nose opens with bright citrus notes, immediately followed by delicate tropical fruit character that adds depth without overwhelming.
also:malty
not found:piney,caramel,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Sunburst

◎ Appearance

Sunburst presents a pale straw hue, clear and bright under light. The head is modest but stable, laying down a delicate ring of lacing as the beer is consumed. Carbonation is moderate and well-integrated, giving the beer a lively but not aggressive presence in the glass.

pale strawclearstable headmoderate carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with bright citrus notes, immediately followed by delicate tropical fruit character that adds depth without overwhelming. A soft, biscuity Malz base provides grounding, with a whisper of sweetness underneath. The American hop varieties shine clearly without harsh herbaceousness.

citrus forwardtropical fruitbiscuit maltsoft sweetness

◐ Taste

Entry is smooth and approachable, with the juicy mouthfeel evident from the first sip. Mid-palate balances orange peel and subtle fruity character against a lightly biscuity foundation, maintaining the soft sweetness glimpsed in the aroma. A clean, gentle bitterness arrives in the finish, providing structure without harshness.

juicy mouthfeelorange peellight bitternessbalanced

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and lingering, with the bitter notes gradually fading into a subtle fruity and malty echo. The overall impression remains refreshing and approachable rather than assertive.

cleanfruity aftertaste
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
78
Appearance
76
Finish
75
Serve at 7–10°C

Serve at 7–10°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 Sunburst

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About American Pale Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a American Pale Ale?

Pale Ales balance malt sweetness with moderate hop character at 4.5–6% ABV and IBU 20–40. Approachable with floral, citrus or earthy notes over a biscuit malt base.

Finding a similar American Pale Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same citrusy, juicy, fruity character as Sunburst will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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