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Traquair Bear Ale

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Traquair's original draught ale and, at 5%, the lightest of the three core beers. It is a rich amber colour with a malty nose and a full, malt-led palate. A hint of oak from fermentation in wooden tuns sits underneath, and fruity hop notes come through towards the finish. The character is recognisably that of the stronger house ales, at a more moderate strength. On draught it is poured locally in the Scottish Borders and in Edinburgh.

ABV
5.0%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
SRM
amber12
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
What makes this beer itself
MaltHop
maltyfruityoak
malty
fruity
oak
caramel
Aroma
The nose leads with malty sweetness, revealing notes of caramel and toasted bread crust that hint at the grain bill's careful selection.
not found:hoppy,roasted,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Traquair Bear Ale

◎ Appearance

A rich amber hue with good clarity and a fine, persistent head that clings to the glass with evident lacing. The carbonation is moderate and well-integrated, creating a stable foam structure that suggests careful conditioning and handling.

rich amberclearfine head retentionmoderate carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with malty sweetness, revealing notes of caramel and toasted bread crust that hint at the grain bill's careful selection. Subtle oak notes surface from wood fermentation, while a delicate spice character from East Kent Goldings adds complexity without overshadowing the malt foundation.

malty sweetnesscarameltoasted breadearthy spicesubtle oak

◐ Taste

The palate is full-bodied and rich, dominated by soft caramel and bread-crust maltiness that carries through the mid-palate with good depth. East Kent Goldings contribute an earthy, measured bitterness that integrates smoothly rather than asserting itself sharply, while the wood fermentation adds a gentle oak undertone that rounds the overall character.

full malt bodycaramel sweetnessearthy hop spicesoft bitternessoak influence

◑ Finish

The finish remains soft and graceful, with fruity hop character emerging as the malt fades. The aftertaste is clean and moreish, lingering gently without sharp edges or excessive drying.

fruitysoft finishgentle fade
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
78
Taste
80
Appearance
76
Finish
76
Serve at 8–11°C

Serve at 8–11°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 Traquair Bear Ale

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About Scottish Export Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Scottish Export Ale?

Scottish Export 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 Scottish Export Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same malty, fruity, oak character as Traquair Bear Ale will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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