hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Traquair Bear Ale

Traquair House Brewery
Tap to rate
🌍 United Kingdom · Scottish Ale · One of 26 Scottish Ales in hopIQ

The lightest beer of the range and the brewery's original draught ale, sold on tap locally and later also bottled. It takes its name from the Bear Gates of Traquair House, closed since 1745. The beer is a rich amber with a malty nose and a full malt palate of caramel and bread crust, carrying a light oak note from fermentation in wood. East Kent Goldings give an earthy spice, and fruity hop character appears on the finish, which stays soft rather than sharply bitter.

How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
no reading yet
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Substantial body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Off-dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
no reading yet
Texture
Balanced mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

A frame with real heft — the palate has plenty to hold onto through the finish.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Scottish Ale.
Malt character
malty
caramel
bready
toasty
Distinctive notes
oak
spicy
Hop character
earthy
Fermentation & yeast
fruity

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
+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Traquair Bear Ale

Serve at 8–11°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 8–11°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 Traquair Bear Ale

About Scottish Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Scottish Ale?

Scottish 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 Ale

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

Other Scottish Ales in hopIQ

Compare with another beer →Explore all Scottish Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse United Kingdom beers →