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O'Hara's Irish Pale Ale

Carlow Brewing Company
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🌍 Ireland · Pale Ale · One of 86 Pale Ales in hopIQ

Ireland's first craft pale ale. Citra and Simcoe hops deliver tropical fruit and grapefruit aromas over a clean malt base. Crisp, hoppy and refreshing.

ABV
5.2%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden5
See all 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

Dry finish.

A clean close sets the character — an invitation to the next sip.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Pale Ale.
Hop character
citrusy
hoppy
tropical
floral
Malt character
malty
Fermentation & yeast
clean
fruity
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Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for O'Hara's Irish Pale Ale

Appearance

O'Hara's displays a bright, golden amber hue characteristic of a well-crafted pale ale. The beer presents excellent clarity with a fine, persistent white head that demonstrates proper carbonation and quality brewing. The overall presentation is inviting and visually appetizing.

golden amberclearwhite headwell-carbonated

Aroma

The nose is dominated by the distinctive tropical fruit and grapefruit character imparted by Citra and Simcoe hops. Supporting the hop-forward profile is a clean, subtle malt backbone with gentle grain notes that provide balance without overshadowing the aromatic hops. The overall impression is fresh, vibrant, and approachable.

tropical fruitgrapefruitcitrus hopsclean malt

Taste

The palate opens crisp and refreshing with a medium body that feels well-balanced and sessionable. Citrus and fruity hop flavors blend seamlessly with bread and grain notes from the malt foundation, while a dry character emerges mid-palate. The bitterness is moderate and well-integrated, never harsh or overwhelming.

crisp citrusmedium-bodiedhoppy bitterdry finish

Finish

The finish is dry and clean, with lingering hoppy bitterness that fades gracefully into a malty aftertaste. A refreshing quality persists, inviting another sip.

drycleanlingering hop bitterness
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
83
Appearance
80
Finish
81
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of O'Hara's Irish 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 O'Hara's Irish 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 hoppy, citrusy, clean character as O'Hara's Irish Pale Ale will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Pale Ales in hopIQ

Explore all Pale Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse Ireland beers →

WHERE TO BUY

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