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Moonshine

Abbeydale Brewery
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🌍 United Kingdom · American Pale Ale · One of 231 American Pale Ales in hopIQ

Our flagship pale and our most famous beer — Moonshine has been in production since 16th August 1996. Hopped with Willamette, Delta, Citra, Chinook and Centennial. A beautifully well-balanced pale perfect for any occasion. Multi award winner including CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain Bronze 2018. Over 40% of Abbeydale's output and a beer they're immensely proud of after nearly 3 decades.

ABV
4.3%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
pale gold3
See all American Pale Ale alternatives →
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
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 American Pale Ale.
Hop character
hoppy
citrusy
floral
piney
Malt character
malty
Fermentation & yeast
clean
fruity
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Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Moonshine

Appearance

Moonshine presents a pale golden hue with excellent clarity and a bright, clean presentation. The head forms quickly and clings well to the glass, leaving delicate lacing as the beer descends. Carbonation is lively and well-integrated, creating a fine and persistent bead.

pale goldenbright clarityfine carbonation

Aroma

The nose opens with a clean, inviting hop character dominated by floral and citrus notes from the Citra blend, supported by subtle pine undertones from Chinook and Centennial. A gentle malty backbone provides balance without dominating the profile, while crisp herbal qualities keep the aroma refreshingly alive. There is no yeast-driven fruitiness or off-note; the impression is straightforward and approachable.

floral hopsbright citrussubtle pineclean malt

Taste

The palate entry is crisp and clean, with a moderate malt sweetness that grounds the beer without cloying. The mid-palate reveals layered hop bitterness—balanced rather than aggressive—complemented by lingering citrus and floral character that evolves across the tongue. The finish builds a measured, dry bitterness that remains refreshing and well-proportioned throughout.

balanced bitternesscitrus notescrisp palatedry finish

Finish

The finish is clean and medium in length, with a lingering hop bitterness that remains pleasant rather than harsh. A subtle fruity warmth carries through to the very end, leaving the palate refreshed and ready for another sip.

clean aftertasterefreshing dryness
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
82
Appearance
85
Finish
80
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Moonshine

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

Serve at 7–10°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 Moonshine

About American Pale Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a American Pale Ale?

Pale Ales balance malt sweetness with moderate hop character at 4.5–6% ABV and IBU 20–40. Approachable with floral, citrus or earthy notes over a biscuit malt base.

Finding a similar American Pale Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same hoppy, clean, floral character as Moonshine will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other American Pale Ales in hopIQ

Explore all American Pale Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse United Kingdom beers →