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Oakspire

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A malty, sweet deep amber ale at 9.0% ABV, married to the flavors of bourbon-steeped charred oak through a custom-built, proprietary infusion method. Brewed since 2018 as a holiday special, it became a fan favorite. Caramel 80, rye and roasted barley join pale and Munich malts, with CTZ and Dolcita hops.

ABV
9%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter27 IBU
Roasted bitterness
SRM
golden8
PaceSipper
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
oakmaltycaramel
oak
malty
caramel
roasted
clean
hoppy
Aroma
Bourbon-soaked oak dominates immediately, layered with charred wood smoke and vanilla undertones.
not found:juicy,bready,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Oakspire

◎ Appearance

Deep amber to copper hue with a luminous, translucent quality. The head forms with modest density and recedes to a thin collar that maintains light Schaumhaftung along the glass. Carbonation is moderate and persistent, creating a fine bead that rises steadily.

deep ambertranslucentmoderate carbonationlight lacing

◌ Aroma

Bourbon-soaked oak dominates immediately, layered with charred wood smoke and vanilla undertones. Beneath lies a rich caramel sweetness intertwined with gentle Munich Malz depth and hints of rye spice. The hop presence remains subdued, contributing a soft herbal whisper rather than assertive aromatics.

bourbon oakcharred woodcaramel sweetnessspiced rye

◐ Taste

Entry is full and malty with pronounced caramel and roasted barley notes that coat the palate warmly. Mid-palate develops dark sweetness from the bourbon barrel treatment, while moderate oak tannins provide subtle structure without harshness. Bitterness is restrained at 27 IBU, allowing the malt and wood character to lead; a faint roasted edge and Edelhopfen spice emerge in the backdrop.

malt-forwardoak tanninsroasted barleyrestrained bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is moderately long with a warming alcohol presence appropriate to 9% ABV. Lingering oak, caramel, and a whisper of roasted grain fade gradually, leaving a semi-dry aftertaste with subtle wooden and spiced notes.

warming alcoholoak persistencesemi-dry
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
83
Appearance
79
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 Oakspire

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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 oak, malty, sweet character as Oakspire 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 States beers →