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Woodsetton Pale Ale

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A pale ale in the older English manner, recreated from brewing notes of the 1910s and 1920s that the family found in its archive – the oldest Holden's recipe known. Pale and crystal malts give biscuit and caramel on the nose, followed by a burst of Fuggles and Goldings hops and a lingering, fresh, dry finish. Drinkers describe it as hoppy, dry and distinctly bitter. The colour is a deep gold. The brewery lists it as its seasonal for the first months of the year.

ABV
4.5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Malt-forward 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
hoppynoble hopcaramel
hoppy
noble hop
caramel
bready
clean
malty
Aroma
The nose opens with pronounced biscuit and caramel notes from the pale and crystal malts, inviting and warm.
not found:juicy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Woodsetton Pale Ale

◎ Appearance

Deep gold in color, clear and bright with excellent clarity. The head is white and persistent, building a fine lace against the glass as you drink. Carbonation is moderate and well-integrated, supporting a steady stream of small bubbles.

deep goldbright claritypersistent head lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with pronounced biscuit and caramel notes from the pale and crystal malts, inviting and warm. Fuggles and Goldings hops provide a classic herbal and slightly floral character, with hints of dried fruit and gentle earthiness. The overall impression is fresh and lifted, with no oxidation or harsh edges.

biscuit, caramel maltherbal Fuggles and Goldingsdried fruit, earthy

◐ Taste

Entry is clean and malty, with those biscuit characters translating well to the palate. Mid-palate brings a burst of hop bitterness that is assertive but balanced, with the herbal and slightly peppery edge of the noble hops. The finish is distinctly dry and bitter, lingering pleasantly without cloying sweetness.

malty biscuit entryassertive hop bitternessdry, herbal finish

◑ Finish

Long and dry, with noble hop bitterness persisting into the aftertaste. A faint mineral edge supports the clean, refreshing character, leaving the palate ready for another sip.

lingering bitternessdry, refreshing
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
82
Appearance
85
Finish
80
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 Woodsetton Pale Ale

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Holden's Old Ale

About English Pale Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a English 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 English Pale Ale

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

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