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Lock Steady

Hook Norton Brewery
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🌍 United Kingdom · Pale Ale · One of 97 Pale Ales in hopIQ

Lock Steady sits at the lighter end of the pale ale spectrum, built for easy drinking without giving up character. The pale malt base delivers a clean, zesty foundation that stays refreshing from the first pour through to the finish. At 2.5 percent it works as an accessible way into hoppy ales, its brightness never tiring the palate. The zest cuts through without aggression, leaving a beer for afternoons when a full-strength one would be too much. Silver at the International Beer Challenge 2025.

ABV
2.5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
See all Pale Ale alternatives →

AWARDS

Silver Medal · 2025
International Beer Challenge Taste Awards
Silver Medal — International Beer Challenge Taste Awards
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 Pale Ale.
Hop character
citrusy
hoppy
Malt character
malty
Fermentation & yeast
clean
Distinctive notes
smooth drinking
Compare with another beer →

FEATURED IN

Featured inThe Best British Pale AlesFeatured inThe Best British Beers

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Lock Steady

Appearance

Lock Steady presents a bright golden hue with excellent clarity and a fine, persistent white head. The carbonation is lively and well-integrated, creating steady streams of small bubbles that maintain good head retention and lacing throughout the glass.

bright goldenclearfine white headlively carbonation

Aroma

The nose opens with clean pale malt character, offering subtle biscuit and grain notes. Edible hops contribute gentle citrus and herbal nuances without overwhelming; the overall aromatic profile remains restrained and inviting, with no harsh or coarse edges.

pale maltsubtle citrusherbal hopclean, grain-forward

Taste

The palate entry is crisp and zesty, with a clean malt base that never feels thin or underdeveloped. Mid-palate brings a moderate hoppy bite with citrus character, balanced by soft malt sweetness. The bitterness arrives gently, contributing structure without aggression, and fades smoothly into the finish.

crisp entrymalt backbonemoderate bitternesssmooth drinking

Finish

The finish is short to medium length, refreshing and dry. A light citrus and hop residue lingers briefly without fatigue, leaving the palate clean and ready for another sip.

dryrefreshinglight citrus fade
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
76
Taste
78
Appearance
82
Finish
75
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Lock Steady

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

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
Recommended for this style

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.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Lock Steady

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 refreshing, light, smooth-drinking character as Lock Steady will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Pale Ales in hopIQ

Explore all Pale Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse United Kingdom beers →

WHERE TO BUY

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