hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Three Swords

Tap to rate

Extra pale ale at 4.5% whose name comes from the coat of arms used by the Cistercian monks of Kirkstall Abbey. Three American hop varieties, Centennial, Cascade and Chinook, go in generously and give the beer its fruity character. One of the brewery's founding beers, already recorded in 2011, and today poured on cask and sold in bottles and cans.

ABV
4.5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Resinous 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
fruityhoppycitrusy
fruity
hoppy
citrusy
piney
Aroma
The nose is dominated by the three American hop varieties, with pronounced citrus and stone fruit notes—characteristic of Centennial and Cascade—layered beneath a subtle herbal earthiness from Chinook.
not found:juicy,caramel,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Three Swords

◎ Appearance

Three Swords presents a pale golden hue with excellent clarity and a bright, white head that clings persistently to the glass wall. The carbonation is lively and well-integrated, creating fine bubbles that sustain the foam structure throughout the tasting.

pale goldenbrilliant claritypersistent foam

◌ Aroma

The nose is dominated by the three American hop varieties, with pronounced citrus and stone fruit notes—characteristic of Centennial and Cascade—layered beneath a subtle herbal earthiness from Chinook. The Malz provides a clean, biscuity undertone that balances without overwhelming the aromatic profile.

citrus, stone fruitherbal, earthybiscuity malt base

◐ Taste

The palate opens with a crisp, dry entry where the fruity hop character takes the lead, delivering grapefruit and peach notes across the mid-palate. The 30 IBU bitterness is moderate and well-structured, finishing clean without harshness; the modest 4.5% ABV keeps the beer refreshing and sessionable.

grapefruit, peachmoderate bitternesscrisp, dry palate

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and moderately dry, with the hop bitterness gradually receding to leave a subtle citrus and herbal impression. The aftertaste remains brief and refreshing, inviting another sip.

clean, drycitrus linger
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
78
Appearance
82
Finish
75
Serve at 7–10°C

Serve at 7–10°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.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with Three Swords

More from Kirkstall Brewery

Altstadt
Altstadt
Altbier
5% · 32 IBU
Find matches →
Black Band
Black Band
Porter
5.5% · 33 IBU
Find matches →
Chocolate Orange Imperial Stout
Citrus Thief
Citrus Thief
Fruited Sour
4% · 10 IBU
Find matches →
Dissolution
Flamango
Flamango
Hazy Pale Ale
3.4% · 40 IBU
Find matches →
Judicious
Judicious
Hazy Pale Ale
4.8% · 40 IBU
Find matches →
Kirkstall Bitter
Kirkstall Bitter
Ordinary Bitter
3.8% · 28 IBU
Find matches →

About Extra Pale Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Extra Pale Ale?

Pale Ales balance malt sweetness with moderate hop character at 4.5–6% ABV and IBU 20–40. Approachable with floral, citrus or earthy notes over a biscuit malt base.

Finding a similar Extra Pale Ale

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

Compare with another beer →Explore all Extra Pale Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse United Kingdom beers →