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McMullen No.1 Pale Ale

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Toasted and malty, with a roasted edge on the nose and a light bitter aftertaste: a rich brown cask Pale Ale at 3.8%, bitterness and sweetness both at 2.5 out of 5. Its origins go back nearly two centuries, and as Farmers' Ale it was the mainstay of hot harvests across the county. It stays balanced towards the malt of the fields it was drunk in and is built to sit light on the palate, the head and the wallet.

ABV
3.8%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Roasted 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
toastymaltyroasted
toasty
malty
roasted
clean
hoppy
Aroma
The nose leads with toasted grain and a subtle roasted edge, evoking the malt-driven character of a traditional farmhouse ale.
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for McMullen No.1 Pale Ale

◎ Appearance

A rich brown ale with excellent clarity and a warm amber glow at the edges. The head forms with generous volume and clings to the glass with persistent lacing, building character with each sip. Carbonation is moderate and well-integrated, lending a soft visual presence rather than aggressive effervescence.

rich brownclearpersistent head lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with toasted grain and a subtle roasted edge, evoking the malt-driven character of a traditional farmhouse ale. Beneath lies a clean, earthy backbone with restrained noble hop notes that support rather than dominate. There is no sharp alcohol presence; instead, the aromatic profile remains grounded and inviting.

toasted grainroasted edgeearthy backbonenoble hops

◐ Taste

The palate opens with soft, biscuity malt sweetness before a gentle bitterness emerges at the mid-palate, holding at a measured 35 IBU. The beer balances richness and drinkability effortlessly—neither overly sweet nor aggressively hoppy. A clean finish follows, with the roasted undertone adding depth without harsh tannin or burn.

biscuity maltrestrained bitternessbalancedsmooth-drinking

◑ Finish

The aftertaste is light and clean, with a lingering roasted note that fades gracefully. The finish sits comfortably on the palate, refreshing rather than cloying, reinforcing the beer's heritage as an efficient, session-friendly farmhouse ale.

roasted aftertastelightrefreshing
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
76
Taste
78
Appearance
80
Finish
76
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 McMullen No.1 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 toasty, malty, roasted character as McMullen No.1 Pale Ale will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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