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The Premium Malt's Kaoru Ale

Suntory
Japan·Golden Ale
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Kaoru Ale is the top-fermented member of The Premium Malt's family and carries the label Japanese Ale on the can and in export markets. Suntory picked its yeast, BH-154, from more than a thousand strains for its fruity fermentation character and combines it with diamond malt and European aroma hops. The nose is fresh and fruity, with apple and stone fruit over floral hops. A soft malt sweetness carries this through a light body to a gentle, lingering finish. A December 2025 change to the mashing conditions filled out fruit and aftertaste.

ABV
6.0%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Herbal, floral bitterness
SRM
golden8
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
What makes this beer itself
MaltHop
fruityfloralmalty
fruity
floral
malty
peach
clean
hoppy
Aroma
Fresh and inviting, with ripe apple and stone fruit sitting prominently at the fore.
not found:juicy,caramel,sour,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for The Premium Malt's Kaoru Ale

◎ Appearance

Pale golden hue with bright, translucent clarity. The head forms a fine white collar that settles to a thin lacing along the glass. Carbonation is visible and lively, creating a gentle stream of fine bubbles.

pale goldclearfine headwell-carbonated

◌ Aroma

Fresh and inviting, with ripe apple and stone fruit sitting prominently at the fore. Floral European hop notes provide delicate herbal background, while a soft malt sweetness rounds out the composition without dominating. The overall impression is clean and summery, with no harsh alcohol heat.

stone fruitapplefloral hopssoft malt

◐ Taste

The palate enters with gentle malt sweetness and peach character, supported by a light, feathery body that feels refreshing on the tongue. Edelhopfen bitterness arrives gradually, staying restrained and balanced rather than assertive. The mid-palate sustains fruity notes while maintaining crisp clarity throughout.

peach-forwardlight bodybalanced bitternesssmooth

◑ Finish

The finish extends with lingering fruit and malt sweetness, fading to a clean, gentle dryness. Aftertaste echoes the apple and stone fruit notes with pleasant, dry complexity.

fruit-driven finishlingering sweetness
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
82
Taste
77
Appearance
80
Finish
75
Serve at 7–10°C

Serve at 7–10°C. Light and refreshing — serve cold to keep the delicate hop and malt balance intact.

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 The Premium Malt's Kaoru Ale

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About Golden Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Golden Ale?

Golden 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 Golden Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same fruity, light, floral character as The Premium Malt's Kaoru Ale will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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