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Maccan

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A strong ale brewed with Irish base malt and aged in Irish whiskey barrels. It pours a deep mahogany with a rich, velvety head. Dark fruit, treacle and oak mark the aroma, together with whiskey and caramel. On the palate the warmth of the spirit meets caramel sweetness and more dark fruit; the long finish brings vanilla, toffee and charred wood. The body is full and the texture silky-smooth.

ABV
12.2%
Bitterness
Mild13 IBU
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
deep amber15
PaceSipper
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
carameldark fruitoak
caramel
dark fruit
oak
vanilla
smoky
malty
Aroma
The nose opens with dark stone fruits—plum and raisin—layered beneath notes of treacle and caramel.
not found:hoppy,roasted,fruity,spicy

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Maccan

◎ Appearance

Maccan presents a deep mahogany hue that catches the light with warm, burnished tones. A rich, velvety head forms at the pour and clings persistently to the glass, leaving distinct lacing as the beer is consumed. The body is full and opaque, befitting a 12.2% strong ale aged in whiskey barrels.

deep mahoganyvelvety headfull-bodiedpersistent lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with dark stone fruits—plum and raisin—layered beneath notes of treacle and caramel. Whiskey barrel influence is immediately apparent, contributing vanilla, toasted oak, and a subtle spirit warmth. These elements integrate harmoniously, creating an inviting bouquet that speaks to both the Irish malt foundation and the wood aging process.

dark fruitcaramelwhiskey oakvanilla

◐ Taste

The palate enters with a silky texture, the spirit warmth of the whiskey barrel meeting caramel sweetness and additional dark fruit character. The malt provides a foundation of toffee and subtle molasses that carries through the mid-palate. Bitterness is restrained (13 IBU), allowing the wood influence and fruit-forward character to dominate; the finish extends long, revealing charred wood, vanilla, and lingering toffee notes.

toffee sweetnessdark fruitcharred oakwarming spirit

◑ Finish

The finish is lengthy and evolving, with charred wood and vanilla persisting alongside residual toffee and caramel. A gentle warmth from the elevated alcohol lingers pleasantly without harshness.

long finishvanilla-oakwarming
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.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Maccan

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About Strong Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Strong Ale?

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 Strong Ale

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

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