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Manchester Pale Ale

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A golden pale ale introduced in 2013 as the brewery's answer to hop-forward American pale ales, with a British accent. Brewed entirely from British malt with Liberty and Mount Hood hops. Floral, malty and citrus aromas lead into bright citrus and soft fruit over a gentle malt base, topped by the tight, creamy head typical of Manchester beer. Cask is the reference strength; the bottled version is brewed a little stronger at 4.1%.

ABV
3.7%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop 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
citrusyfloralmalty
citrusy
floral
malty
fruity
hoppy
clean
Aroma
The nose opens with fresh citrus—lemon zest and grapefruit rind—layered over soft floral notes that suggest a restrained, elegant hop character typical of British Edelhopfen.
not found:juicy,caramel,sour,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Manchester Pale Ale

◎ Appearance

Golden hue with bright, limpid clarity and a tight, creamy head that builds immediately and persists across the glass. Fine carbonation supports the dense foam collar with excellent retention and even lacing. The color sits in the pale-to-medium range, reflecting the modest crystal content and British malts at its foundation.

golden, brighttight creamy headfine carbonationexcellent lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with fresh citrus—lemon zest and grapefruit rind—layered over soft floral notes that suggest a restrained, elegant hop character typical of British Edelhopfen. Beneath runs a clean, bread-like Malz base with hints of orchard fruit; no sulfur or rough fermentation character intrudes. The overall impression is one of balance, with neither hops nor malt dominating the olfactory space.

citrus zestfloral, understatedclean maltorchard fruit

◐ Taste

Entry is crisp and refreshing, with bright citrus flavors taking the lead over a soft, supporting malt sweetness that never turns cloying. The mid-palate reveals gentle stone fruit and a mild herbaceous undertone, while moderate bitterness (35 IBU) arrives as a clean, measured finish that does not dominate. The creamy texture adds body and roundness despite the modest alcohol weight.

citrus-forwardsoft malt basemild bitternesscreamy mouthfeel

◑ Finish

The aftertaste persists as dry citrus and a whisper of herbal spice, fading cleanly without astringency or lingering harshness. Refreshingly quenching, it invites another sip rather than dominating the palate.

dry citrusclean, quickquenching
76
hopIQ score
Aroma
78
Taste
75
Appearance
80
Finish
72
Serve at 7–10°C

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

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.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Manchester Pale Ale

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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 citrusy, floral, malty character as Manchester Pale Ale will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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