hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Moosehead Pale Ale

Tap to rate

The beer that gave the brewery its name: a top-fermented pale ale first brewed in 1933. The maker describes it as full-flavoured and smooth with a European influence, hopped with European varieties and finishing clean. Brewed with Canadian barley, it shows floral hop notes over a warm caramel malt character, with moderate bitterness. In the Maritime provinces it goes by the nickname Moose Red, and its main market remains the brewery's home region.

ABV
5%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter20 IBU
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
PaceA Few

AWARDS

Gold · 2015
Canadian Brewing Awards
North American Style Blonde or Golden Ale
★Gold — Canadian Brewing Awards (North American Style Blonde or Golden Ale)
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
caramelfloralclean
caramel
floral
clean
malty
hoppy
citrusy
Aroma
The nose leads with refined floral and herbal hop notes characteristic of European varieties, complemented by a warm caramel and light bread-malt undertone.
not found:juicy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Moosehead Pale Ale

◎ Appearance

Pale golden in color with good clarity and a fine, persistent white head that clings to the glass with each sip. The carbonation is moderate and even, creating a lively but not aggressive mousse. The beer presents a classic pale ale appearance with bright, inviting translucence.

pale goldenclearpersistent headmoderate carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with refined floral and herbal hop notes characteristic of European varieties, complemented by a warm caramel and light bread-malt undertone. There is no aggressive alcohol presence, and the overall aromatic profile remains clean and balanced. The malt backbone provides gentle sweetness without dominating the hop character.

floral hopscaramel maltherbalclean

◐ Taste

On the palate, the beer enters smooth with a soft malt sweetness that carries the caramel and biscuity notes into the mid-palate. The moderate bitterness emerges gradually, providing structure without harshness, while the floral hop character adds complexity. The finish transitions cleanly, leaving a dry, slightly spicy sensation on the tongue.

smooth entrycaramel sweetnessmoderate bitternessspicy finish

◑ Finish

The finish is dry and crisp, with the bitterness lingering pleasantly without becoming sharp or astringent. The aftertaste echoes the floral hops and malt sweetness in balance, fading clean and refreshing.

drycrispwell-balanced
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
76
Taste
78
Appearance
80
Finish
78
+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Moosehead Pale Ale

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 Moosehead Pale Ale

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 caramel, floral, smooth character as Moosehead Pale Ale 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 Canada beers →