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Prickly Pear Pale Ale

Lewis & Clark Brewing Company
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🌍 United States · American Pale Ale · One of 231 American Pale Ales in hopIQ

Brewed with Montana prickly pear cactus for a subtle pink colour and mild berry sweetness alongside the clean citrus hop character. A refreshing pale ale with a uniquely western twist — both visually striking and delicious.

ABV
5.3%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
pale gold3
See all American Pale Ale alternatives →
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
hopIQ take

Even from Body through Texture, the taste structure is evenly distributed.

Harmony over emphasis — the beer is built for each note to sit at the same volume.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another American Pale Ale.
Hop character
citrusy
hoppy
orange
Malt character
malty
Fermentation & yeast
clean
fruity
Distinctive notes
berry
Compare with another beer →

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Prickly Pear Pale Ale

Appearance

A pale, luminous pink hue dominates the glass, derived from the prickly pear infusion—striking without being opaque. The beer presents excellent clarity with a fine, persistent white head that clings to the glass walls with good retention. Carbonation appears moderate and well-integrated, creating a gentle bead throughout.

pale pinkclearfine head lacingmoderate carbonation

Aroma

The nose opens with prominent citrus notes—orange zest and grapefruit—layered beneath a subtle berry character from the prickly pear cactus. Clean noble hop aromatics provide structure without aggression, while a delicate sweetness suggests ripe fruit rather than sugar. The overall impression is bright and refreshing, with no yeast or fermentation characteristics asserting themselves.

citrus forwardprickly pearclean hopsberry sweetness

Taste

Entry brings a crisp, dry citrus punch balanced by mild berry sweetness on the mid-palate. The beer maintains a light body with restrained malty backbone that supports rather than dominates. Bitterness sits at a comfortable 38 IBU—present enough to frame the fruit character but never harsh or lingering; the finish remains dry and refreshing.

crisp citruslight bodydry finishbalanced bitterness

Finish

The finish is clean and relatively short, allowing the citrus and berry notes to fade gracefully without astringency. A pleasant dryness persists in the aftertaste, inviting another sip.

drycitrus fade
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
79
Taste
77
Appearance
80
Finish
76
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Prickly Pear Pale Ale

Serve at 7–10°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 7–10°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

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

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Prickly Pear Pale Ale

About American Pale Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a American Pale Ale?

Pale Ales balance malt sweetness with moderate hop character at 4.5–6% ABV and IBU 20–40. Approachable with floral, citrus or earthy notes over a biscuit malt base.

Finding a similar American Pale Ale

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

Other American Pale Ales in hopIQ

Explore all American Pale Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse United States beers →