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Speight's Mid Ale

Speight's
New Zealand·Ale
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Caramelised flavour and aroma meet the bitterness of Pacific Jade and Green Bullet hops in this mid-strength beer at 2.5% ABV. The malt bill combines Crystal, Caramalt and Chocolate malts. Mid Ale joined the Speight's range in 2014, alongside the brewery's ginger beer, and is part of the Heritage range, alongside Gold Medal Ale and Old Dark.

ABV
2.5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Roasted bitterness
PaceSession
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
caramelchocolatemalty
caramel
chocolate
malty
hoppy
Aroma
Caramelised malt dominates the nose, backed by subtle chocolate notes from the darker grains in the grist.
not found:juicy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Speight's Mid Ale

◎ Appearance

The beer presents a clear, deep amber to copper hue, typical of its Crystal and Caramalt malt bill. The head is modest but persistent, with fine carbonation evident throughout. Lacing clings moderately to the glass as the beer is consumed.

deep amberclearpersistent head

◌ Aroma

Caramelised malt dominates the nose, backed by subtle chocolate notes from the darker grains in the grist. Pacific Jade and Green Bullet hops contribute a restrained herbal and earthy character that complements rather than overshadows the malt-forward profile. The overall impression is warm and inviting without aggressive hop presence.

caramel sweetnesschocolate undertonesherbal hop character

◐ Taste

Entry reveals a smooth caramel sweetness balanced by the moderate bitterness of the noble hop varieties. Mid-palate layers in gentle chocolate complexity, while the 30 IBU contributes a dry, measured bitterness that builds gradually. At 2.5% ABV, the beer remains light and approachable without sacrificing flavour depth.

caramel forwardbalanced bitternesschocolate notessmooth mouthfeel

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and medium-length, with residual caramel sweetness fading to a dry, mildly bitter conclusion. No harsh edges or alcohol warmth linger.

dry finishmeasured bitterness
76
hopIQ score
Aroma
74
Taste
77
Appearance
75
Finish
76
Serve at 6–8°C

Cold enough to sharpen the hop aroma without numbing the palate. Around 7–9°C keeps the citrus and pine vivid without losing bitterness definition.

Pint glass

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

Drink fresh — hop aroma fades fast. Best within 3 months of canning or bottling.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Speight's Mid Ale

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About Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Ale?

India Pale Ales are hop-forward ales with ABV typically 5.5–7.5% and IBU 40–70+. Bold citrus, pine or tropical aromas alongside firm bitterness and a clean dry finish.

Finding a similar Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same caramel, bitter, chocolate character as Speight's Mid Ale will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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