hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Testa del Moro

Italy·English Strong Ale
Tap to rate

Rock Brewery's strong heavy brew — named after the Testa del Moro (Moor's Head), the iconic Sicilian ceramic head vase rooted in a 12th-century Palermo legend of forbidden love between a Sicilian girl and a Moorish soldier. Recommended as an accompaniment to grilled meats and vegetables. Rich amber with a caramel and dark-fruit nose; full-bodied, warming, and smooth with a malty sweetness and long finish.

ABV
7.5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
deep amber16
PaceSipper
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
carameldark fruitmalty
caramel
dark fruit
malty
Aroma
The nose leads with pronounced caramel and toffee notes, underpinned by dark stone fruits—raisins and plums—that speak to the full malt bill.
not found:hoppy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Testa del Moro

◎ Appearance

Rich amber hue with good clarity and a dense, creamy head that persists across the glass, leaving substantial lacing on the walls. The carbonation is moderate and well-integrated, presenting as a settled, inviting pour.

rich amberdense headgood claritypersistent lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with pronounced caramel and toffee notes, underpinned by dark stone fruits—raisins and plums—that speak to the full malt bill. A subtle warmth from the alcohol sits beneath, adding depth without sharp alcohol burn.

carameldark fruittoffeewarming

◐ Taste

The palate enters with malty sweetness and caramel backbone, broadening into a full-bodied, smooth mid-section where dark fruit character persists. Bitterness is restrained at 35 IBU, allowing malt character to dominate; the finish carries a gentle warming from the 7.5% ABV and a lingering malty sweetness.

malty sweetnessfull-bodiedrestrained bitternesssmooth texture

◑ Finish

The finish is long and gentle, with caramel and subtle dark fruit lingering on the palate. A soft warmth builds without harshness, leaving a pleasant malty aftertaste.

long finishmalty warmthlingering caramel
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
83
Appearance
81
Finish
80
Serve at 12–16°C

Serve at 12–16°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 Testa del Moro

More from Rock Brewery

La Saracena
La Saracena
Kölsch
4.8%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →

About English Strong Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a English Strong Ale?

English Strong 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 English Strong Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same caramel, dark fruit, sweet character as Testa del Moro will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →