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Kirkstall Pale Ale

Kirkstall Brewery
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🌍 United Kingdom · American Pale Ale · One of 231 American Pale Ales in hopIQ

Kirkstall's approachable everyday pale — brewed beside the Leeds-Liverpool canal in the shadow of the ancient abbey. Citrusy and balanced. The session companion to Dissolution IPA.

ABV
4.3%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden5
See all American Pale 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

Balanced backbone, with every axis close to the middle.

Nothing dominates, and that is the craft — each element gets room to be tasted.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another American Pale Ale.
Hop character
citrusy
hoppy
Malt character
malty
Fermentation & yeast
clean
fruity
Compare with another beer →

FEATURED IN

Featured inThe Best British Pale Ales

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Kirkstall Pale Ale

Appearance

Pale golden hue with excellent clarity and a bright, clean presentation. The head forms quickly and disperses to a thin, persistent collar with good lacing retention on the glass. Carbonation is visible and well-integrated, lending a lively visual character.

pale goldenbrilliant clarityfine lacingwell-carbonated

Aroma

Citrus notes dominate the nose, presenting orange and grapefruit impressions with subtle herbaceous undertones from noble hops. A light, clean malt base provides supporting sweetness without overwhelming the composition. The overall profile is inviting and approachable, free from harsh phenolic or estery notes.

citrus zestorange, grapefruitherbaceousclean malt

Taste

Entry is crisp and refreshing, with citrus flavors immediately apparent on the palate. Mid-palate develops a balanced interplay between restrained malty sweetness and moderate hop bitterness, neither element dominating. The finish is dry with a lingering herbal and citrus character that maintains interest without astringency.

citrus forwardbalanced bitternessdry finishsmooth mouthfeel

Finish

Clean and moderately dry aftertaste with a gentle citrus and herbal fade. The bitterness recedes gracefully, leaving behind a crisp, refreshing impression suitable for extended consumption.

clean aftertastegentle fade
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
78
Taste
78
Appearance
80
Finish
76
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Kirkstall Pale Ale

Serve at 7–10°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 7–10°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 Kirkstall Pale Ale

About American Pale Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a American 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 American Pale Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same citrusy, clean, crisp character as Kirkstall Pale Ale will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other American Pale Ales in hopIQ

Explore all American Pale Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse United Kingdom beers →