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XXX The Pale Ale

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Simple, light malty sweetness leads, delicately balanced by a light bitterness with a floral, earthy character; the colour is straw-pale. The recipe was handed down by the Roberts family, who owned the Three Tuns Brewery in Bishop's Castle for several generations. At 4.3 %, it is also the base for the brewery's lighter XX, brewed at 3.4 %.

ABV
4.3%
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
maltyearthyfloral
malty
earthy
floral
clean
hoppy
citrusy
Aroma
The nose opens with soft Malz sweetness and a whisper of grain, immediately joined by floral and earthy hop character.
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for XXX The Pale Ale

◎ Appearance

A straw-pale, luminous amber that catches the light with clarity and brightness. The head forms with modest persistence, settling into a delicate lacework of foam across the surface. Carbonation is gentle and even, creating fine bubbles that rise steadily through the body.

straw-palebrightfine carbonationdelicate lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with soft Malz sweetness and a whisper of grain, immediately joined by floral and earthy hop character. These noble qualities are restrained and refined rather than assertive, suggesting careful balance in the recipe. The overall impression is clean and inviting, without harsh or aggressive top notes.

floral hopsearthysoft maltclean nose

◐ Taste

The palate enters with light, approachable malty sweetness that sits comfortably at the forefront. A delicate bitterness emerges in the mid-palate, built on those same floral and earthy hop qualities present on the nose, creating a refined counterpoint rather than a clash. The finish is crisp and clean, with mineral dryness that does not linger heavily.

balancedlight malt sweetnessfloral bitternesscrisp finish

◑ Finish

The aftertaste fades gently and cleanly, leaving behind a faint earthy hop memory and a dry sensation across the palate. There is a refreshing quality to the closure, inviting another sip without heaviness or cloying sweetness.

dryrefreshingclean aftertaste
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
77
Taste
80
Appearance
78
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 XXX The 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 light, malty, sweet character as XXX The 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 →