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Sunstone

Orkney Brewery
Scotland·Golden Ale
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Sunstone is a shimmering deep golden ale, crystal bright with a creamy head: orangey, citrusy, resinous hop aroma, tangerine and spice on the palate, and a crisp citrusy finish. The sunstone was a near mythical navigational aid of the Vikings. The stone polarises light, so mariners could find the sun even in cloudy weather on the way to Iceland, Orkney and the new world.

ABV
4.4%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
PaceSession
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
resinouscitrusyorange
resinous
citrusy
orange
hoppy
spicy
clean
Aroma
The nose opens with prominent citrus notes—tangerine and orange zest dominate, backed by resinous noble hop character.
also:malty
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Sunstone

◎ Appearance

Sunstone presents a deep golden hue with crystal clarity and bright luminosity. The creamy head settles into fine, persistent lacing that clings to the glass. Carbonation is lively and well-integrated, maintaining the beer's visual refinement throughout.

deep goldencrystal clearcreamy headbright lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with prominent citrus notes—tangerine and orange zest dominate, backed by resinous noble hop character. Subtle spice emerges in the background, supported by a clean malt base that remains restrained and does not overshadow the hop expression.

orange zestresinous hopstangerinecitrus-forward

◐ Taste

The palate enters with bright tangerine and citrus notes that define the mid-palate experience. A gentle spice accent adds complexity without assertiveness. Bitterness remains balanced and restrained at 20 IBU, allowing the hop's aromatic oils to lead while the malt provides a clean, supportive foundation.

tangerinecitrusspicedbalanced bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is crisp and citrusy, with a clean departure that avoids any lingering sweetness. A dry, refreshing quality carries through to the aftertaste, making this ale approachable and sessionable.

crispcitrusy finishdry
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
77
Appearance
82
Finish
76
Serve at 7–10°C

Serve at 7–10°C. Light and refreshing — serve cold to keep the delicate hop and malt balance intact.

Pint glass

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

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Sunstone

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About Golden Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Golden Ale?

Golden 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 Golden Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same resinous, citrusy, crisp character as Sunstone will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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