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Moonshine

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Floral on the nose, smooth in body, citrus-forward on the palate with grapefruit and lemon over a clean, low bitterness. Late-added hops carry the flavour. Willamette, the only hop in the original recipe, still drives the character, joined over time by Citra, Centennial, Delta and Chinook; 4.3 % ABV. The first gyle ran on 26 July 1996, and Moonshine has stayed the brewery's biggest seller, called a Sheffield icon. Bronze in Golden Ale at Champion Beer of Britain 2018.

ABV
4.3%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter24 IBU
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
pale gold3
PaceSession

AWARDS

Bronze · 2018
Champion Beer of Britain
Golden Ale
★Bronze — Champion Beer of Britain (Golden Ale)
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
citrusyfloralclean
citrusy
floral
clean
hoppy
herbal
malty
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.
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

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
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 Moonshine

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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, floral, smooth character as Moonshine 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 →