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Blaven

Isle of Skye Brewing Company
United Kingdom·Golden Ale
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Fruity and caramel-like in the aroma, then strong, fruity and full-bodied in the mouth, creamy and smooth, with a rich malty character and a well-balanced hop aroma. In 1996 it started out as a winter-only brew, but it proved so popular that it now runs all year. It is the strongest of the regular ales: 4.7% in the bottle, 5% on tap. Named after Bla Bheinn, the mountain near the brewery.

ABV
4.7%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter30 IBU
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
fruitymaltycaramel
fruity
malty
caramel
hoppy
clean
Aroma
The nose opens with inviting fruity and caramel notes that interplay in equal measure.
not found:juicy,roasted,sour,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Blaven

◎ Appearance

Blaven presents a bright golden hue with excellent clarity and a fine, persistent head that leaves distinct lacing on the glass. The carbonation is moderate and well-integrated, creating a lively visual presentation without excessive fizz. The color sits at the lighter end of the golden spectrum, characteristic of the style.

bright goldenclearpersistent head lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with inviting fruity and caramel notes that interplay in equal measure. Stone fruit and subtle orchard fruit aromas blend with toasted and candy-like malt sweetness, creating a rounded, approachable bouquet. Noble hop character sits in the background, contributing herbal and floral undertones without dominating.

stone fruit and orchard notescaramel sweetnessherbal hops

◐ Taste

Entry is smooth and creamy, with full body that fills the palate immediately. Malty sweetness and fruity esters form the core of the flavor, balanced by a measured hop bitterness that prevents cloying. Mid-palate shows a rich, malt-forward character with caramel undertones, while the finish remains clean and well-defined.

full-bodied, creamyfruity and maltybalanced bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is medium in length, fading smoothly without harsh astringency. A gentle fruity and malty resonance lingers pleasantly on the palate.

medium finishclean fade
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
83
Taste
84
Appearance
80
Finish
78
Serve at 7–10°C

Serve at 7–10°C. Light and refreshing — serve cold to keep the delicate hop and malt balance intact.

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 Blaven

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About Golden Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Golden Ale?

Golden Ale is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Golden Ale

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

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