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Chalky's Bite

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Created in 2006 at the suggestion of a chef from nearby Padstow, who asked for a Cornish beer in the manner of Belgian ales, and named after his dog. It is conditioned for up to 30 days on three hop varieties and fennel seed, which gives the light golden ale an aniseed, herbal note. Alongside it the brewery names candy floss and pear. Carbonation is lively, the bitterness moderate, and at 6.8 % ABV it is among the stronger beers of the house.

ABV
6.8%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Herbal, floral bitterness
SRM
golden8
PaceTwo or Three

AWARDS

Country Winner · 2025
World Beer Awards
Country Winner · 2024
World Beer Awards
Country Winner · 2020
World Beer Awards
★Country Winner — World Beer Awards
★Country Winner — World Beer Awards
★Country Winner — World Beer Awards
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
herbalspicyfruity
herbal
spicy
fruity
peach
malty
Aroma
The nose leads with herbal and aniseed notes from the fennel seed conditioning, complemented by subtle spice that recalls Belgian ale character.
not found:hoppy,caramel,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Chalky's Bite

◎ Appearance

A pale golden hue with excellent clarity and a fine white head that persists across the glass surface. The carbonation is visibly lively, with a steady stream of fine bubbles creating bright effervescence. Lacing clings firmly to the glass as the head recedes.

pale goldenbright carbonationpersistent headclean

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with herbal and aniseed notes from the fennel seed conditioning, complemented by subtle spice that recalls Belgian ale character. Beneath lies a delicate fruitiness—pear and stone fruit—with a gentle floral backdrop from the three hop varieties. Malt provides a soft, biscuity foundation without dominating.

aniseed, herbalstone fruit, pearspiced, floralbiscuity

◐ Taste

The palate opens with a crisp, clean attack and moderate bitterness that remains restrained at 25 IBU. Herbal and spicy notes carry through the mid-palate, layered with sweet candy-like undertones and peach character. The 6.8% ABV presents as a gentle warmth rather than alcohol heat, while the malt backbone provides structure without weight.

herbal spicepeach, candy sweetnessmoderate bitternesscrisp, clean

◑ Finish

The finish is dry and moderately long, with herbal bitterness fading into a subtle pear and aniseed aftertaste. A slight warmth lingers without harshness.

dry finishherbal aftertastemedium length
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
79
Appearance
82
Finish
74
Serve at 7–10°C

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

Goblet

The wide mouth and heavy base promote head formation and channel rich aromatics toward the nose. Traditional for Belgian strong ales.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Chalky's Bite

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About Belgian Pale Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Belgian 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 Belgian Pale Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same herbal, spicy, fruity character as Chalky's Bite will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Belgian Pale Ales in hopIQ

Compare with another beer →Explore all Belgian Pale Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse United Kingdom beers →