hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Skye Black

Tap to rate

Fruity and malty in the aroma, complex, full-bodied and malty in the mouth. The bitterness of roasted barley is smoothed by the sweetness of Scottish heather honey. The dark ruby colour comes from roasted barley, balanced with rolled oatmeal; both are milled in the brewery itself. Challenger and Progress are the hops. It takes its name from the Black Cuillin mountain range.

ABV
4.5%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter18 IBU
Roasted bitterness
SRM
deep amber20
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
roastedmaltyhoney
roasted
malty
honey
fruity
nutty
caramel
Aroma
The nose leads with toasted grain and roasted barley character, followed by subtle fruity esters and a delicate honey sweetness.
also:bready
not found:hoppy,chocolate,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Skye Black

◎ Appearance

Deep ruby to dark brown in color, derived from roasted barley milled on-site. The beer presents good clarity with a modest tan head that settles into fine lacing around the glass. Carbonation is moderate and even, befitting a traditional brown ale.

deep rubyclearfine lacingmoderate carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with toasted grain and roasted barley character, followed by subtle fruity esters and a delicate honey sweetness. Floral notes from the Challenger and Progress hops provide restraint, allowing the malty foundation and heather honey to occupy the foreground without overwhelming.

roasted grainheather honeysubtle fruitrestrained hop

◐ Taste

Entry is smooth and full-bodied, with roasted barley providing a gentle bitterness tempered by Scottish heather honey and the creamy contribution of rolled oatmeal. The mid-palate reveals caramel and nutty undertones, while the finish trails off with a lingering roasted edge balanced by residual honey sweetness.

roasted barleyhoney sweetnesscreamy mouthfeelcaramel, nutty

◑ Finish

The finish is medium in length, with roasted character and a touch of bitterness gradually fading into a soft, honey-tinged aftertaste. A subtle bready warmth persists without harshness.

roasted fadehoney aftertastewarm, bready
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
77
Taste
79
Appearance
76
Finish
77
Serve at 10–13°C

Serve at 10–13°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.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with Skye Black

More from Isle of Skye Brewing Company

Blaven
Blaven
Golden Ale
4.7%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Cuillin Beast
Cuillin Beast
Scotch Ale
7%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Skye Blonde
Skye Blonde
Blonde Ale
5.5%·Mild
Find matches →
Skye Craft Lager
Skye Gold
Skye Gold
Golden Ale
4.3%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Skye IPA
Skye IPA
IPA
5%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Skye Pale Ale
Skye Pale Ale
Pale Ale
4.5%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Skye Red
Skye Red
Amber Ale
4.2%·Mild
Find matches →

About Brown Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Brown Ale?

Brown 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 Brown Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same roasted, malty, honey character as Skye Black will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →