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Stewart's American Pale Ale

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A smooth, crisp pale ale bursting with American hops, with vibrant citrus aromas and a zesty, well-balanced bitterness. Steve and Jo Stewart set up the brewery in Edinburgh in 2004; today it brews in Loanhead, Midlothian. This pale ale comes in at 5.0 % ABV and 31 IBU. Lighter in body and bitterness than an IPA, as the style goes.

ABV
5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter31 IBU
Citrus 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
citrusyhoppyclean
citrusy
hoppy
clean
malty
Aroma
The nose opens with vibrant citrus notes—orange peel and lemon zest predominate—backed by a clean, herbal hop character typical of American varieties.
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Stewart's American Pale Ale

◎ Appearance

A pale golden hue with good clarity and a bright, effervescent quality that catches the light. The white head forms readily and clings to the glass with visible lacing, indicating solid carbonation and head retention. The body reads light and inviting, with a translucent quality typical of the American Pale Ale style.

pale goldenbright and clearpersistent white headfine carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with vibrant citrus notes—orange peel and lemon zest predominate—backed by a clean, herbal hop character typical of American varieties. Beneath lies a subtle malt backbone that provides gentle sweetness without dominating the profile. The overall impression is crisp and straightforward, with no yeast-driven or adjunct characteristics muddying the nose.

citrus peelherbal hopsclean and brightlight malt sweetness

◐ Taste

The palate enters crisp and zesty, with bright citrus flavors playing across the tongue alongside a smooth, balanced bitterness that registers at 31 IBU—noticeable but restrained. The mid-palate is lean and clean, allowing the American hop character to speak clearly without heaviness. Malt contributes a subtle, underlying sweetness that prevents the beer from veering into harshness, creating a well-proportioned drinking experience.

citrus forwardbalanced bitternesssmooth textureclean palate

◑ Finish

The finish is crisp and relatively dry, with lingering hop bitterness that fades gracefully rather than asserting itself aggressively. A refreshing quality persists, inviting another sip without leaving a harsh or sticky residue.

dry finishhop persistencerefreshing
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
78
Appearance
80
Finish
75
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 Stewart's American 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 crisp, citrusy, hoppy character as Stewart's American 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 Kingdom beers →