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O'Hara's Irish Pale Ale

Carlow Brewing Company
Ireland·Pale Ale
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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
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
hoppycitrusyclean
hoppy
citrusy
clean
tropical
fruity
floral
Aroma
The nose is dominated by the distinctive tropical fruit and grapefruit character imparted by Citra and Simcoe hops.
also:malty
not found:juicy,caramel,sour,smoky

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
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 O'Hara's Irish Pale Ale

More from Carlow Brewing Company

O'Hara's Irish Stout

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.

Compare with another beer →Explore all Pale Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse Ireland beers →