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Orkney Gold

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Orkney Gold is crystal clear and refreshingly crisp, sweet, malty and fruity in the nose, with zesty sweet lemon, mandarin and apricot over a juicy malt background and a zesty, crisp finish. Columbus, Amarillo and Cascade are the hops, set on pale and wheat malt. It is the brewery's progressive pale ale next to its Scottish classics, offered in bottle and on keg.

ABV
4.5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter34 IBU
Citrus 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
citrusyfruitymalty
citrusy
fruity
malty
juicy
hoppy
orange
Aroma
The nose opens with inviting citrus and stone fruit notes—zesty lemon, mandarin, and apricot—layered over a juicy, sweet malt foundation.
also:peach,clean
not found:piney,caramel,sour,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Orkney Gold

◎ Appearance

Orkney Gold presents a bright, crystal-clear golden hue with excellent transparency. The head is compact and well-retained, displaying fine lacing that clings to the glass. Carbonation is lively and consistent, forming a fine bead throughout the pour.

crystal cleargoldenpersistent headfine carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with inviting citrus and stone fruit notes—zesty lemon, mandarin, and apricot—layered over a juicy, sweet malt foundation. Columbus, Amarillo, and Cascade hops contribute herbal and piney undertones without overwhelming the fruit-forward character. The overall impression is refreshingly aromatic yet balanced, with pale and wheat malts adding subtle sweetness and body.

citrus forwardstone fruitsweet malthoppy but balanced

◐ Taste

The palate opens with a malty sweetness supported by the wheat component, delivering a soft, approachable entry. Mid-palate brings the promised citrus and apricot character to the fore, with Cascade and Amarillo hops providing a gentle zest rather than aggressive bitterness. The 34 IBU sits in perfect equilibrium, offering crisp definition without harshness.

malty-sweet entrycitrus midpalategentle bitternessjuicy and refreshing

◑ Finish

The finish is crisp and clean, with residual citrus zest and a whisper of malt sweetness lingering pleasantly on the palate. Carbonation drives a bright, dry exit that invites another sip without leaving a heavy aftertaste.

crispdry exitcitrus persistence
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
78
Appearance
82
Finish
75
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 Orkney Gold

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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 crisp, citrusy, fruity character as Orkney Gold 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 →