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Opulence

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Citrus fruit, cinnamon, oak and light spices run through a full-bodied strong ale of 12 %, matured in ex-whisky barrels, where the wood adds to the beer during maturation. Opulence was brewed to celebrate the brewery's 20th anniversary, and at 12 % it is far stronger than the bitters at 3.7 to 4.2 %.

ABV
12%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
deep amber15
PaceSipper
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
oakcitrusyspicy
oak
citrusy
spicy
toasty
caramel
malty
Aroma
The nose opens with bright citrus fruit notes—orange and subtle lemon—alongside warm baking spice reminiscent of cinnamon and clove.
not found:hoppy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Opulence

◎ Appearance

Opulence presents a deep amber to light copper hue, clear and bright beneath a modest off-white head. The carbonation is gentle, befitting a strong ale of this weight, and the foam settles into a thin, persistent lacing around the glass.

deep amberbright claritydelicate headsoft carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with bright citrus fruit notes—orange and subtle lemon—alongside warm baking spice reminiscent of cinnamon and clove. Beneath these, ex-whisky barrel maturation imparts creamy oak, vanilla, and a faint caramel sweetness that grounds the aromatic profile without overwhelming it.

citrus forwardcinnamon and spiceoak and vanillawhisky barrel character

◐ Taste

The palate is full and rounded, with citrus fruit carrying into the mid-palate alongside spice complexity and a developing woody warmth from the barrel maturation. At 12% ABV, the alcohol is present but integrated; bitterness at 35 IBU is restrained and balances rather than dominates, allowing caramel malt sweetness and oak tannins to shine through.

full-bodiedbalanced malt and woodmoderate bitternessspiced finish

◑ Finish

The finish is long and warming, with citrus, cinnamon, and oak lingering on the palate. The 12% strength builds gradually, leaving a dry, slightly tannic aftertaste that invites another sip.

warming finishpersistent oakdry aftertaste
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
83
Appearance
78
Finish
80
Serve at 12–16°C

Serve at 12–16°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

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 Opulence

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About Strong Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Strong Ale?

Strong 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 Strong Ale

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

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