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Shepherds Watch

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Rich chocolate and strong coffee notes lead this dark, malty and smooth ale at 6.0%, mellowed and balanced by hints of sweet cinnamon and citrus. It is the brewery's winter beer, brewed on the family farm in the Yorkshire Wolds, where the water comes untreated from the farm's own borehole in the chalk.

ABV
6%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
deep amber20
PaceTwo or Three
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
chocolatecoffeemalty
chocolate
coffee
malty
spicy
citrusy
nutty
Aroma
Chocolate and roasted coffee dominate the nose, lending depth and richness.
also:caramel,bready
not found:hoppy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Shepherds Watch

◎ Appearance

Deep copper-brown with amber highlights, presenting moderate clarity typical of the style. The head forms with modest density and displays good retention, with fine lacing clinging to the glass. Carbonation is moderate and persistent, creating a smooth, inviting visual profile.

deep copper-browngood head retentionfine lacing

◌ Aroma

Chocolate and roasted coffee dominate the nose, lending depth and richness. Beneath these core notes emerge subtle sweet spice—cinnamon and hints of nutmeg—alongside delicate citrus brightness that prevents the aroma from becoming heavy. The malt foundation adds gentle caramel and bready undertones.

dark chocolateroasted coffeesweet spicecitrus brightness

◐ Taste

The palate opens with full chocolate and coffee character, smooth and well-integrated across the mid-palate. Cinnamon spice and caramel sweetness add complexity without overshadowing the core malt structure. Moderate bitterness from noble hops—24 IBU—provides balance rather than assertiveness, allowing the malty richness to shine.

chocolate-forwardsmooth maltbalanced bitternessspiced sweetness

◑ Finish

The finish is dry and lingering, with chocolate and coffee notes fading gradually into a clean, warming aftertaste. No harsh edges; the 6% ABV sits comfortably without heat.

dry finishwarmingcoffee-chocolate decay
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
80
Appearance
76
Finish
75
Serve at 10–13°C

Serve at 10–13°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 Shepherds Watch

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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 chocolate, coffee, malty character as Shepherds Watch will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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