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Old Mate

Moon Dog Brewing
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🌍 Australia · Pale Ale · One of 177 Pale Ales in hopIQ

Old Mate is the brewery's pale ale and has been its biggest seller for years. It was reworked in 2021, when the dry-hopping rate was tripled and the strength lowered to 4.5 percent. Centennial and Azacca hops shape the beer. Citrus and pineapple lead on the nose and palate, carried by a light caramel malt note, while a moderate, slightly earthy bitterness keeps the finish dry and easy-going.

ABV
4.5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
See all Pale Ale alternatives →

AWARDS

Trophy · 2023
The Indies
Champion Modern Pale Ale
Trophy — The Indies (Champion Modern Pale Ale)
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Lean body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Moderate bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Crisp mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

Each axis lands close to the centre in a considered, even reading.

A profile in balance where the form comes from all sides, every layer speaks in turn.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Pale Ale.
Hop character
citrusy
hoppy
tropical
earthy
Malt character
caramel
Fermentation & yeast
clean

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Old Mate

Appearance

Old Mate presents a pale golden hue with excellent clarity and a bright, inviting appearance. A creamy white head forms readily and maintains good adhesion to the glass walls. The carbonation is lively and well-integrated, creating a clean visual impression throughout the drinking experience.

pale goldencleargood head retentionlively carbonation

Aroma

The nose leads with bright citrus and pineapple notes from the generous dry-hopping regimen, creating an immediate tropical lift. A subtle caramel malt backbone provides supporting sweetness without overshadowing the hop character. Earthy undertones round out the aromatics, suggesting a balanced approach between fruit-forward character and restrained grain contribution.

citrus, pineappletropical fruitcaramel maltearthy undertone

Taste

On the palate, citrus and tropical fruit character dominate the entry, carried forward by the light caramel malt foundation. The mid-palate remains clean and approachable, with a moderate bitterness that develops gradually without aggression. The earthy quality provides structural definition, keeping the beer dry and preventing any cloying sweetness, while maintaining refreshing drinkability.

citrus-forwardtropical fruitmoderate bitternessdry, clean

Finish

The finish is dry and lingering, with the moderate bitterness extending into a pleasant aftertaste. The beer concludes with a crisp, refreshing character that invites another sip rather than fatiguing the palate.

dry finishearthy bitternessrefreshing
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
78
Appearance
82
Finish
75
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Old Mate

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

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
Recommended for this style

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.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Old Mate

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 citrusy, dry, tropical character as Old Mate will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Pale Ales in hopIQ

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