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Joseph Holt Mild

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Rich and roasted, with caramel and slight coffee notes, a good amount of bitterness and a drop of sweetness, all in a silky, creamy dark body. Black and crystal malts and English cone hops build it at a low 3.2% ABV. Mild is one of the beers Joseph Holt first made in 1849, and it took bronze at the 2026 International Brewing Awards.

ABV
3.2%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter32 IBU
Roasted bitterness
SRM
deep amber20
PaceSession

AWARDS

Bronze · 2026
International Brewing Awards
Cask Conditioned Beer – Class 1 (abv range 2.9%-3.8% )
★Bronze — International Brewing Awards (Cask Conditioned Beer – Class 1 (abv range 2.9%-3.8% ))
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
roastedcaramelcoffee
roasted
caramel
coffee
malty
clean
Aroma
The nose leads with roasted grain and subtle coffee undertones, anchored by dark crystal malt sweetness.
not found:hoppy,bready,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Joseph Holt Mild

◎ Appearance

Deep mahogany-brown to near-black in the glass, with excellent clarity despite the dark malt bill. A dense, tan head forms readily and clings persistently to the sides—characteristic Schaumkleiden throughout the drink. Moderate carbonation presents as a fine, sustained bead.

deep mahogany-brownexcellent head retentionfine carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with roasted grain and subtle coffee undertones, anchored by dark crystal malt sweetness. English noble hops add a measured herbal restraint rather than floral assertion. A soft, clean malt backbone dominates without harsh burnt edges—inviting rather than aggressive.

roasted graincoffee notesnoble hops

◐ Taste

Entry is full and creamy, with pronounced roasted malt and caramel complexity that unfolds across the palate. Bitterness is well-integrated at 32 IBU, arriving mid-sip and persisting without dominance. A touch of residual sweetness—from both malt and restrained fermentation—balances the darker, drier notes beautifully.

caramel richnessintegrated bitternesscreamy mouthfeel

◑ Finish

The aftertaste lingers gently, with coffee and roast asserting themselves after the initial sweetness recedes. Clean and warm, neither cloying nor harsh—a sessionable farewell suited to the beer's modest strength.

roasted fadeoutwarm, clean finish
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
85
Appearance
85
Finish
78
Serve at 10–13°C

Serve at 10–13°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 Joseph Holt Mild

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About Dark Mild

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Dark Mild?

Dark Mild 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 Dark Mild

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same roasted, creamy, caramel character as Joseph Holt Mild will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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