hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Newcastle Brown Ale

Newcastle Brown Ale
United Kingdom·Brown Ale
Tap to rate

Caramel malt, banana and candy fruit open the nose; the palate brings caramel, brown-bread maltiness, more candy fruit and a hint of roast grain and chocolate. Slightly sweet, with gentle bitterness and a light mouthfeel, it finishes like a chocolate digestive biscuit. Colonel Jim Porter spent three years perfecting the recipe before the ale launched in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1927; today it runs at 4.7% ABV.

ABV
4.7%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Roasted bitterness
SRM
deep amber20
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
caramelbananamalty
caramel
banana
malty
fruity
chocolate
roasted
Aroma
The nose opens with inviting caramel and toasted malt character, followed by distinctive fruity notes—candy and subtle banana esters that add complexity.
also:toasty,nutty
not found:hoppy,bready,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Newcastle Brown Ale

◎ Appearance

Deep amber to brown in the glass with good clarity and a rich, persistent tan head. The beer displays fine carbonation that supports steady lacing down the side of the glass. The color reflects the caramel and roasted malt foundation that defines the style.

deep amber-brownpersistent headwell-carbonated

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with inviting caramel and toasted malt character, followed by distinctive fruity notes—candy and subtle banana esters that add complexity. A light roasted grain backdrop and hint of chocolate round out the aromatic profile without overwhelming the senses.

caramel maltbanana estersroasted grainchocolate undertone

◐ Taste

The palate enters with smooth caramel sweetness and brown-bread maltiness, building toward a mid-palate candy-fruit character paired with gentle roast and chocolate notes. Bitterness remains restrained and balanced, allowing the malt profile to dominate while maintaining good structure and preventing flatness.

caramel sweetnessbrown-bread maltsmooth-drinkingbalanced bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and medium-length, with a lingering chocolate and biscuit character reminiscent of a chocolate digestive. The aftertaste remains slightly sweet with a touch of toasted grain, fading gradually without harsh edges.

chocolate digestivemedium lengthtoasted aftertaste
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
80
Appearance
78
Finish
75
Serve at 10–13°C

Serve at 10–13°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with Newcastle Brown Ale

About Brown Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Brown Ale?

Brown Ale is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Brown Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same caramel, banana, malty character as Newcastle Brown Ale will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →