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1838 Pale Ale

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Sweet, biscuity malt flavours are balanced by floral hop notes and a crisp finish in a full-bodied, light amber pale ale. 1838 is named after the year Peter Walker patented the Burton Union system and is brewed exclusively on the Union set at Thornbridge, combining Maris Otter with the finest Goldings hops.

ABV
4.5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
PaceSession
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
maltyfloralnoble hop
malty
floral
noble hop
bready
clean
hoppy
Aroma
The nose leads with delicate floral hop character, characteristic of Goldings, complemented by warm, grainy Maris Otter malt notes.
also:citrusy
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for 1838 Pale Ale

◎ Appearance

Light amber hue with excellent clarity and a bright, golden transparency that catches the light appealingly. The head forms dense and white, with good retention and fine lacing that clings to the glass walls as the beer is consumed. Carbonation appears moderate and well-integrated, creating a lively but not aggressive visual presence.

light amberclear and brightpersistent white headfine lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with delicate floral hop character, characteristic of Goldings, complemented by warm, grainy Maris Otter malt notes. A subtle sweetness emerges beneath—biscuit and honey tones that speak to the quality of the grain bill. The overall expression is clean and balanced, with no rough edges or oxidation.

floral hop characterbiscuity malthoney notesrefined and clean

◐ Taste

Entry is full-bodied and malty, with prominent biscuit and caramel sweetness from the Maris Otter foundation. Mid-palate introduces the floral hop bitterness in a restrained manner, creating a satisfying balance rather than asserting dominance. The 35 IBU provides structure and definition without overshadowing the malt complexity, leading into a smooth, dry resolution.

malt-forward palaterestrained bitternessfull bodybalanced sweetness and hops

◑ Finish

The finish is crisp and clean, with residual malt sweetness fading into a gentle, lingering hop dryness. Aftertaste remains pleasant and dry, inviting another sip without leaving any astringency or cloying sensation.

crisp and drymalt sweetness fades cleanly
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
78
Taste
79
Appearance
80
Finish
76
Serve at 7–10°C

Cold enough to sharpen the hop aroma without numbing the palate. Around 7–9°C keeps the citrus and pine vivid without losing bitterness definition.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Drink fresh — hop aroma fades fast. Best within 3 months of canning or bottling.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with 1838 Pale Ale

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About Pale Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Pale Ale?

India Pale Ales are hop-forward ales with ABV typically 5.5–7.5% and IBU 40–70+. Bold citrus, pine or tropical aromas alongside firm bitterness and a clean dry finish.

Finding a similar Pale Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same malty, sweet, floral character as 1838 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 Pale Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse United Kingdom beers →