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Kootenay True Ale

Labatt Brewing Company
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🌍 Canada · Amber Ale · One of 24 Amber Ales in hopIQ

An ale from the Columbia Brewery in Creston, in practice sitting somewhere between a cream ale and a golden ale. It is light gold and clear over a soft caramel malt base. The yeast throws an unusual ester note that the brewery itself describes as licorice-like, and the hops add a citrus-fruity edge with a resinous touch. The body is medium, the bitterness moderate, and a slight malt sweetness lingers in the finish.

Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
amber12
See all Amber Ale alternatives →
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
no reading yet
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
no reading yet
Sweetness
no reading yet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
no reading yet
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 Amber Ale.
Hop character
citrusy
resinous
hoppy
Malt character
caramel
malty
Fermentation & yeast
fruity
Distinctive notes
smooth drinking
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Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Kootenay True Ale

Appearance

Light gold and crystal clear, presenting a bright, inviting hue characteristic of the style. The head forms with modest density and settles to a thin collar with fair lacing retention. Carbonation appears moderate and well-integrated, supporting a clean visual presentation.

light goldcrystal clearmoderate carbonation

Aroma

The nose leads with a distinctive licorice-like ester note thrown by the yeast, setting this ale apart from typical examples of its category. Beneath lies a soft caramel-malt foundation with citrus-fruity top notes and a resinous hop character that adds complexity without dominance. The overall impression is balanced and approachable rather than assertive.

licorice estercaramel maltscitrus-resin hops

Taste

Entry is smooth and slightly sweet, with caramel malt presence immediately evident on the palate. Mid-palate develops a citrus-fruity character with resinous hop edges that provide structure and prevent cloying. Bitterness is moderate and well-tempered, sitting comfortably between the sweetness and hop character without overwhelming either.

caramel sweetnesscitrus fruitresinous hopsmoderate bitterness

Finish

The finish is clean and medium in length, with lingering malt sweetness that gradually fades. A subtle resinous dryness follows, leaving the palate refreshed without harshness.

malt sweetnessmedium lengthclean
76
hopIQ score
Aroma
78
Taste
76
Appearance
75
Finish
74
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Kootenay True Ale

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 Kootenay True Ale

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, citrusy, fruity character as Kootenay True Ale 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 Canada beers →

WHERE TO BUY

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