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Old Mate

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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
PaceSession

AWARDS

Trophy · 2023
The Indies
Champion Modern Pale Ale
★Trophy — The Indies (Champion Modern Pale Ale)
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
citrusytropicalhoppy
citrusy
tropical
hoppy
caramel
earthy
clean
Aroma
The nose leads with bright citrus and pineapple notes from the generous dry-hopping regimen, creating an immediate tropical lift.
not found:juicy,roasted,fruity,smoky

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
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 Old Mate

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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 citrusy, dry, tropical character as Old Mate 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 Australia beers →