hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Spitting Feathers American Pale

Tap to rate

A blast of herby citrus zest in flavour and aroma, on a soft, smooth pale base with a yellow haze. Eight punchy American hops go into the whirlpool, then a double dry-hop during and after fermentation. The brewery calls it its most hop-forward beer in almost two decades, and it is the first cask ale it has left unfined.

ABV
5%
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
hoppycitrusyherbal
hoppy
citrusy
herbal
resinous
clean
malty
Aroma
Assertive herbal and citrus notes dominate the nose, speaking clearly to the eight American hop varieties in the whirlpool and aggressive dry-hopping.
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Spitting Feathers American Pale

◎ Appearance

Pale golden yellow with a fine, persistent haze that signals the unfined character and double dry-hop treatment. The head forms quickly and clings to the glass with good retention, leaving delicate lacing on each sip. Bright and inviting, with lively carbonation evident throughout.

pale goldenhazy, unfinedpersistent head

◌ Aroma

Assertive herbal and citrus notes dominate the nose, speaking clearly to the eight American hop varieties in the whirlpool and aggressive dry-hopping. The citrus carries a crisp, zesty quality—lemon and grapefruit pith rather than stone fruit sweetness. A soft, clean malt base sits beneath, allowing the hops to command attention without floral or resinous harshness.

herbal citruslemon, grapefruit zestclean malt foundation

◐ Taste

Entry is smooth and approachable despite the hop intensity, with the soft pale malt providing a clean, slightly sweet platform. Mid-palate develops the herby, citric character promised by the aroma—punchy and vibrant without becoming harsh or astringent. Bitterness builds gradually to a moderate 38 IBU, balanced and integrated rather than aggressive, finishing dry and crisp.

smooth, soft palateherbal citrus bitedry, integrated bitterness

◑ Finish

Medium-length finish with lingering herbal and citric notes fading into a clean, dry aftertaste. The bitterness recedes gracefully, leaving a pleasant, refreshing dryness on the palate.

dry, herbalmedium length
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
82
Taste
76
Appearance
78
Finish
74
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.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with Spitting Feathers American Pale

More from Spitting Feathers Brewery

Brainstorm
Brainstorm
Pale Ale
4%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Cheshire Red
Cheshire Red
Red Ale
4.8%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Christmas Crackers
Christmas Crackers
Strong Ale
5.8%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Dark Velvet Mild
Dark Velvet Mild
Dark Mild
4%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Empire IPA
Empire IPA
IPA
5.2%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →
Honey Trap
Honey Trap
Golden Ale
4.1%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Little Donker
Little Donker
Strong Ale
6%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
NEZIPA
NEZIPA
Hazy IPA
5.5%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →

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 hoppy, citrusy, herbal character as Spitting Feathers American Pale 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 Kingdom beers →