hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Raven Ale

Tap to rate

Raven Ale is an amber pale ale in golden orange: malty, balanced and biscuity, with a floral nose of fruity, spicy hops and biscuity malt, toasty malt with roast and mint on the palate, a clean, spicy, orangey bitterness and a dry, crisp finish. East Kent Goldings and Fuggles are the hops. Vikings released ravens at sea on long voyages: if the birds did not return, land was close. Gold at SIBA Scotland 2025.

ABV
3.8%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter32 IBU
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
PaceSession

AWARDS

Bronze · 2018
SIBA Indie Beer Awards (regional, Scotland)
Cask British Bitter (up to 4.4%)
Gold · 2018
SIBA Indie Beer Awards (regional, Scotland)
Bottle/Can British Bitter (up to 4.4%)
Gold · 2025
SIBA Indie Beer Awards (regional, Scotland)
Cask British Bitter (up to 4.4%)
★Bronze — SIBA Indie Beer Awards (regional, Scotland) (Cask British Bitter (up to 4.4%))
★Gold — SIBA Indie Beer Awards (regional, Scotland) (Bottle/Can British Bitter (up to 4.4%))
★Gold — SIBA Indie Beer Awards (regional, Scotland) (Cask British Bitter (up to 4.4%))
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
toastymaltyfloral
toasty
malty
floral
bready
spicy hop
orange
Aroma
The nose opens with a pronounced floral character from the East Kent Goldings and Fuggles hops, complemented by bright fruity and spicy notes.
also:roasted,fruity,spicy
not found:hoppy,caramel,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Raven Ale

◎ Appearance

Raven Ale presents a luminous golden-orange hue that catches the light with clarity and brightness. The head forms with modest height and displays good retention, laying down a fine, persistent collar of lacing along the glass. Carbonation appears lively and well-integrated, lending an inviting visual crispness to the pour.

golden-orangeclearpersistent headfine lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with a pronounced floral character from the East Kent Goldings and Fuggles hops, complemented by bright fruity and spicy notes. Beneath this lies a warm, biscuity maltiness with hints of toasted grain and a subtle mint undertone. The balance between refined hop florality and malty sweetness creates an inviting, composed bouquet.

floral hopsfruity, spicybiscuity malttoasted grain

◐ Taste

On the palate, toasty malt leads the entry, developing into a roasty middle with whispers of mint that add complexity. The bitterness arrives clean and spicy with a distinctive orangey character from the hops, neither aggressive nor fleeting. This bitterness integrates well with the malt foundation, creating a harmonious interplay rather than dominance.

toasty maltroast notemint accentclean spicy bitternesscitrus edge

◑ Finish

The finish is dry and crisp, shedding residual sweetness quickly and leaving a lingering spicy hop impression. The aftertaste remains clean and refreshing, with a gentle mineral quality that encourages another sip.

dry, crisplingering spiceclean aftertaste
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
79
Taste
79
Appearance
77
Finish
76
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.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with Raven Ale

More from Orkney Brewery

Bay of Caves
Bay of Caves
Black IPA
4.8% · 60 IBU
Find matches →
Boulder Beach
Boulder Beach
American Pale Ale
4.4% · 38 IBU
Find matches →
Brodgar Bere
Brodgar Bere
Amber Ale
4.8% · 45 IBU
Find matches →
Cliff Edge
Cliff Edge
Pale Ale
4.7% · 55 IBU
Find matches →
Clootie Dumpling
Clootie Dumpling
Spiced Beer
4.3% · 24 IBU
Find matches →
Corncrake
Corncrake
Golden Ale
4.1% · 25 IBU
Find matches →
Dark Island
Dark Island
Scottish Export Ale
4.6% · 19 IBU
Find matches →
Dark Island Reserve

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 toasty, crisp, malty character as Raven 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 Scotland beers →