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Phoenix Pale Ale

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Grapefruit pith, floral herbs and aromatic pine give this American Pale Ale its classic Pacific Northwest citrus hop character. It debuted in the early 2000s and was a beloved staple at the Sly Fox pubs for many years; today it appears among the limited releases, at 5.6%. From Sly Fox, the family-run Pennsylvania brewery open since 1995.

ABV
5.6%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
golden7
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
citrusypineyfloral
citrusy
piney
floral
hoppy
herbal
orange
Aroma
The nose leads with assertive citrus notes—particularly grapefruit pith and orange zest—layered atop herbal and floral dimensions characteristic of Pacific Northwest hop profiles.
also:clean,malty
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Phoenix Pale Ale

◎ Appearance

Phoenix Pale Ale presents a bright golden hue with excellent clarity and a white, persistent head that forms tight lacing down the glass. The carbonation is crisp and visible, with a fine bead that sustains throughout the drinking experience, lending an inviting visual appeal.

golden, brightexcellent claritypersistent foamfine carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with assertive citrus notes—particularly grapefruit pith and orange zest—layered atop herbal and floral dimensions characteristic of Pacific Northwest hop profiles. Pine resin and subtle aromatic spice emerge beneath, while the Malz backbone contributes a clean, supporting grain sweetness without dominance.

grapefruit, orange zestpine, herbalfloral aromaticsclean grain

◐ Taste

The palate opens with bright citrus and pine-forward hop character that carries through the mid-palate with crisp, clean lines. Moderate bitterness—balanced rather than aggressive—integrates seamlessly with gentle Malz sweetness, creating a well-proportioned frame that stays refreshing and drinkable across sips.

citrus-forwardpine resinmoderate bitternessclean, crisp

◑ Finish

The finish is dry and moderately short, with lingering hop bitterness and a faint herbal echo that fades cleanly. No harsh aftertaste; instead, a pleasant drying sensation invites the next sip.

dry finishherbal aftertaste
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
82
Taste
79
Appearance
85
Finish
72
Serve at 7–10°C

Serve at 7–10°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 Phoenix Pale Ale

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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, piney, floral character as Phoenix Pale Ale will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →Explore all American Pale Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse United States beers →