hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

McMullen IPA

Tap to rate

Mahogany in colour, with roast, coffee and caramel on the nose, then chocolate, roasted coffee and orange zest in a rich, full-bodied, smooth and bittersweet pour; bitterness sits at 4 out of 5, sweetness at 3. First brewed in the 1840s, this East India Pale Ale is one of the few traditional examples left, built from roasted malts and whole-leaf hops and served as a 4.8% cask beer.

ABV
4.8%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
roastedcoffeechocolate
roasted
coffee
chocolate
caramel
orange
malty
Aroma
The nose opens with prominent roasted malt and coffee character, followed by caramel sweetness and a subtle cocoa undertone.
also:hoppy
not found:juicy,bready,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for McMullen IPA

◎ Appearance

Mahogany hue with good clarity and a dense, persistent head that leaves fine lacing down the glass. The beer presents as well-carbonated with a stable foam collar that clings to the sides throughout the pour.

mahogany, cleardense headfine lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with prominent roasted malt and coffee character, followed by caramel sweetness and a subtle cocoa undertone. Whole-leaf hops contribute gentle orange zest notes that complement the toasted grain foundation without dominating the bouquet.

roasted malt, coffeecaramel sweetnessorange zest

◐ Taste

The palate is full-bodied and smooth, leading with roasted grain and chocolate notes that transition to bittersweet coffee in the mid-palate. Bitterness sits at a moderate 4 out of 5, balanced by restrained caramel sweetness at 3 out of 5, creating a harmonious interplay between malt depth and hoppy character.

chocolate, roastedbittersweet balancefull-bodied

◑ Finish

The finish is dry and lingering, with roasted and coffee notes persisting alongside a gentle orange citrus echo. The bitterness fades gradually without harshness, leaving a clean, malty aftertaste.

dry, lingeringmalty aftertaste
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
85
Appearance
80
Finish
78
Serve at 8–11°C

Serve well-chilled. Session IPAs are at their best cold — the lower ABV means less warmth to balance the hops.

Tulip glass

The curved shape concentrates hop aromas and supports a thick head. Essential for aromatic ales and IPAs where the nose is half the experience.

Drink fresh. Session IPAs are brewed to be consumed young — the hops are at their best now.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with McMullen IPA

More from McMullen Brewery

McMullen AK
McMullen AK
Mild
3.7%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
McMullen Country Best Bitter
McMullen Country Best Bitter
Best Bitter
4.3%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
McMullen Hertford Castle
McMullen Hertford Castle
Strong Bitter
5%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
McMullen No.1 Pale Ale
McMullen No.1 Pale Ale
Pale Ale
3.8%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
McMullen Pale Ale
McMullen Pale Ale
Pale Ale
3.9%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
McMullen Stronghart
McMullen Stronghart
Strong Ale
7%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Rivertown Daze
Rivertown Daze
Hazy Pale Ale
4.5%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Rivertown Helles
Rivertown Helles
Helles Lager
4%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →

About IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a IPA?

IPAs are hop-forward ales with 5.5–7.5% ABV and IBU 40–70+. Bold hop aroma — citrus, tropical, resinous — with firm bitterness and a dry, clean finish.

Finding a similar IPA

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same roasted, coffee, full-bodied character as McMullen IPA will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →Explore all IPA beers in hopIQ →New to IPA? Read our guide →Browse United Kingdom beers →