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Tooheys Old

Tooheys
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🌍 Australia · Brown Ale · One of 14 Brown Ales in hopIQ

Tooheys Old goes back to the first beer the Toohey brothers brewed in 1869 and was sold for decades as Hunter Old Ale. Black malt takes it to a deep, almost black brown and carries chocolate and roasted coffee, with a hint of caramel behind them. Top fermentation leaves fruity esters in the aroma, hopping is light and the bitterness restrained. Despite the colour the body stays light and the finish smooth.

ABV
4.4%
Bitterness
Mild13 IBU
Roasted bitterness
SRM
dark31
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
hopIQ take

Soft bitterness.

A gentle-edged beer where the base malt sets the tone — approachable through and through.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Brown Ale.
Malt character
chocolate
roasted
coffee
caramel
malty
Fermentation & yeast
fruity
clean
Compare with another beer →

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Tooheys Old

Appearance

Deep mahogany to nearly black brown, with excellent clarity despite the dark coloration. A modest tan head forms and recedes to a fine ring, leaving delicate lacing along the glass. Carbonation appears restrained, lending a calm, settled character to the pour.

deep brownclearfine head retention

Aroma

Black malt dominates the nose, introducing roasted coffee and cocoa notes with subtle chocolate undertones. Behind these sits a whisper of caramel sweetness and the soft fruity esters typical of top fermentation, suggesting orchard fruit rather than citrus. Hopping remains quiet and restrained, allowing the malt profile to speak.

roasted coffeechocolatefruity esterscaramel

Taste

The palate enters smooth and lightly textured, with roasted malt and dark chocolate leading the way. Mid-palate develops a gentle caramel sweetness balanced by restrained bitterness; the body remains lithe throughout, avoiding heaviness. Bitterness is measured at 13 IBU, finishing clean without astringency.

chocolatesmooth bodyrestrained bitternessclean finish

Finish

The finish is short to medium, fading smoothly with lingering cocoa and a hint of roasted grain. No harsh edge or drying sensation; the aftertaste remains pleasant and malty.

smoothmalty fade
75
hopIQ score
Aroma
78
Taste
76
Appearance
75
Finish
72
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Tooheys Old

Serve at 10–13°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 10–13°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

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

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Tooheys Old

About Brown Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Brown Ale?

Brown 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 Brown Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same roasted, chocolate, coffee character as Tooheys Old will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Brown Ales in hopIQ