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X Marks the Spot

Holgate Brewhouse
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🌍 Australia · Extra Pale Ale · One of 13 Extra Pale Ales in hopIQ

An extra pale ale hopped with a blend of American and Australian varieties, added at cooler whirlpool temperatures to hold on to the more delicate aromatics. Juicy pineapple leads, with bright citrus behind it and a faint hoppy spice at the edge. The malt base stays clean and the body light, while the bitterness is firmer than the aroma suggests, and the finish is crisp and dry. Released in limited runs rather than year-round.

ABV
5.5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
See all Extra Pale Ale alternatives →
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
hopIQ take

Even from Body through Texture, the taste structure is evenly distributed.

Harmony over emphasis — the beer is built for each note to sit at the same volume.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Extra Pale Ale.
Hop character
juicy
citrusy
tropical
hoppy
spicy hop
Fermentation & yeast
clean
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Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for X Marks the Spot

Appearance

Pale golden hue with excellent clarity and a fine, persistent white head that leaves delicate lacing on the glass. The beer presents a bright, luminous appearance typical of the extra pale ale style, with visible carbonation that contributes to its visual liveliness.

pale goldenclearfine headbright

Aroma

The nose opens with pronounced juicy pineapple and tropical fruit character, layered beneath bright citrus notes that dance across the palate. A whirlpool hopping technique preserves the delicate aromatic expression of the American and Australian hop blend, with only a faint hoppy spice emerging at the edge of the bouquet.

juicy pineapplebright citrustropical fruitfloral hop

Taste

The palate enters with clean malt backbone and light body that allows the hop character to express itself fully. Mid-palate reveals the promised juiciness and citrus complexity, while bitterness builds more assertively than the aroma suggests—a firm, resinous bite that provides structure without overwhelming the delicate fruit notes. The finish emerges dry and crisp, with lingering hoppy spice.

juicycrisp bitternessclean maltdry finish

Finish

A short to medium finish that remains crisp and dry, with the bitterness fading to reveal a clean, refreshing aftertaste. The hoppy spice lingers briefly before yielding to a pleasant dryness that invites another sip.

crispdryrefreshing
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
82
Taste
78
Appearance
80
Finish
74
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of X Marks the Spot

Serve at 7–10°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 7–10°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

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

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with X Marks the Spot

About Extra Pale Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Extra 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 Extra Pale Ale

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

Other Extra Pale Ales in hopIQ

Explore all Extra Pale Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse Australia beers →

WHERE TO BUY

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