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Nine Tales

James Squire
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🌍 Australia · Amber Ale · One of 28 Amber Ales in hopIQ

Copper-red and malt-driven, built on pale and crystal malts that bring toffee and caramel sweetness with a nutty, bready close. Super Pride and Willamette set a citrus and lightly herbal counterpoint against that sweetness, and the bitterness lands mid-range at 20 IBU. Fuller in body than the strength suggests, with a soft, rounded feel through the middle. In the range longer than any current beer, sold for years simply as James Squire Amber Ale.

ABV
5%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter20 IBU
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
amber12
See all Amber 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

Each axis lands close to the centre in a considered, even reading.

A profile in balance where the form comes from all sides, every layer speaks in turn.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Amber Ale.
Hop character
citrusy
herbal
hoppy
Malt character
caramel
malty
nutty
bready
Compare with another beer →

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Nine Tales

Appearance

Nine Tales presents a copper-red hue with good clarity and a well-formed head that clings persistently to the glass. The carbonation is moderate and even, creating a gentle sparkle that supports the beer's rounded character. The color deepens slightly toward amber at the edges, reflecting the crystal malts at its core.

copper-redclearpersistent headmoderate carbonation

Aroma

The nose opens with pronounced caramel and toffee notes from the pale and crystal malts, followed by a subtle nuttiness and light bready undertones. Super Pride and Willamette hops introduce citrus brightness and a faint herbal earthiness that prevents the malt sweetness from becoming cloying. The overall impression is balanced and approachable, with no sharp edges.

carameltoffeecitrusherbal whisper

Taste

The palate enters with soft malt sweetness—caramel and toffee dominate the entry and mid-palate, supported by a bready, nutty character that adds complexity. The 20 IBU bitterness arrives gently in the middle, never aggressive, while citrus notes from the hops provide a pleasant counterpoint. The body is notably full and rounded for its 5% strength, with a smooth texture throughout.

malt-forwardsweet caramelnuttysoft bitterness

Finish

The finish extends with pleasant length, carrying caramel sweetness and a light herbal note into the aftertaste. A dry, subtle bitterness emerges on the back of the palate, grounding the overall sweetness without dominance.

medium lengthdry finishbalanced aftertaste
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
80
Appearance
82
Finish
75
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Nine Tales

Serve at 8–11°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 8–11°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 Nine Tales

About Amber Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Amber Ale?

Amber Ales have 4.5–6.2% ABV and IBU 25–40. Caramel malt sweetness balanced by moderate hop bitterness, a reddish-amber colour and smooth finish.

Finding a similar Amber Ale

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

Other Amber Ales in hopIQ

Explore all Amber Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse Australia beers →