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Palmers IPA

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Fruity and hoppy, refreshing, with bitterness from English Goldings and aroma from Slovenian hops: a well-balanced copper ale in the best bitter mould. First brewed in 1953, it is an English-style IPA from a time when 'pale' simply meant not dark and higher alcohol meant more than 4%. It was the brewery's best seller until Dorset Gold overtook it in 2025.

ABV
4.2%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter
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
fruityhoppyclean
fruity
hoppy
clean
floral
tropical
citrusy
Aroma
The nose leads with floral and herbal notes from English Goldings, followed by subtle tropical and citrus hints from the Slovenian hops that provide additional lift.
not found:juicy,caramel,sour,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Palmers IPA

◎ Appearance

A bright copper hue with excellent clarity and a fine, persistent white head that builds a delicate lacing around the glass as you drink. The carbonation is moderate and well-integrated, creating a gentle fizz rather than aggressive bubbles. This is a visually classic English ale presentation from an era when restraint and balance were hallmarks of craft brewing.

bright copperclearfine white headmoderate carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with floral and herbal notes from English Goldings, followed by subtle tropical and citrus hints from the Slovenian hops that provide additional lift. There is a clean, gently sweet backdrop of biscuity malt that anchors the composition without dominating. The overall impression is refined and approachable, with no sharp or aggressive character.

floral, herbaltropical citrus notesbiscuit maltclean and balanced

◐ Taste

The palate opens with a brisk, fruity entry balanced by moderate bitterness from the Goldings hops. Mid-palate reveals layers of tropical fruit and light citrus that complement a dry, slightly astringent malt base. The 60 IBU provides genuine bite without overwhelming the delicate fruit character, creating tension that keeps each sip engaging.

fruity, hoppymoderate bitternessdry malt backbonewell-balanced

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and relatively short, with lingering bitterness and a subtle dry sensation on the palate. A whisper of citrus and herb persists as the ale fades, leaving no cloying residue.

dry, cleanpersistent bitterness
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
78
Taste
80
Appearance
78
Finish
75
Serve at 8–11°C

Serve well-chilled. Session IPAs are at their best cold — the lower ABV means less warmth to balance the hops.

Tulip glass

The curved shape concentrates hop aromas and supports a thick head. Essential for aromatic ales and IPAs where the nose is half the experience.

Drink fresh. Session IPAs are brewed to be consumed young — the hops are at their best now.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Palmers IPA

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About IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a IPA?

IPAs are hop-forward ales with 5.5–7.5% ABV and IBU 40–70+. Bold hop aroma — citrus, tropical, resinous — with firm bitterness and a dry, clean finish.

Finding a similar IPA

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same fruity, hoppy, refreshing character as Palmers IPA will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →Explore all IPA beers in hopIQ →New to IPA? Read our guide →Browse United Kingdom beers →