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Yellow Donkey

Santorini Brewing Company
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🌍 Greece · American Pale Ale · One of 216 American Pale Ales in hopIQ

Santorini Brewing Company's flagship beer — Yellow Donkey is a refreshing American-style pale ale brewed on the volcanic island. Citrus hop aroma from American varieties, a light golden body and a balanced, dry finish make Yellow Donkey the perfect companion to Santorini's famous sunsets and seafood. One of Greece's best-selling craft beers and the most photographed beer bottle on the island.

ABV
5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden6
See all American Pale Ale alternatives →
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

Even from Body through Texture, the taste structure is evenly distributed.

Harmony over emphasis — the beer is built for each note to sit at the same volume.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another American Pale Ale.
Hop character
citrusy
hoppy
Malt character
malty
Fermentation & yeast
clean
Compare with another beer →

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Yellow Donkey

Appearance

Yellow Donkey presents a brilliant light golden hue that captures the essence of Santorini's Mediterranean sun. The beer displays excellent clarity with a fine, white head that settles to a delicate lacing. Crisp carbonation is evident from the consistent bead, suggesting proper conditioning and a refreshing drinking experience.

light goldenbrilliant claritywhite headwell-carbonated

Aroma

The nose is dominated by vibrant American hop aromatics, with pronounced citrus and grapefruit notes that immediately evoke tropical fruit. Subtle herbal and floral undertones complement the primary hop character, while a gentle biscuit maltiness provides a grounding base. The aroma is clean and inviting, setting expectations for a well-balanced pale ale.

citrus-forwardgrapefruitherbal floralAmerican hops

Taste

The palate opens with crisp citrus and grapefruit flavors balanced by a light, biscuity malt foundation that provides subtle sweetness. Mid-palate reveals pine and herbal hop character with moderate bitterness that complements rather than dominates. The beer maintains excellent balance throughout, with smooth integration of hop and malt elements.

citrus-drivenbalancedmoderately bitterbiscuit malt

Finish

The finish is clean and notably dry, with lingering grapefruit and pine notes that fade gracefully. A light herbal quality persists as the aftertaste, leaving a refreshing impression without harshness.

drycleancrisp finish
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
83
Appearance
82
Finish
80
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Yellow Donkey

Serve at 7–10°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 7–10°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 Yellow Donkey

About American Pale Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a American Pale Ale?

Pale Ales balance malt sweetness with moderate hop character at 4.5–6% ABV and IBU 20–40. Approachable with floral, citrus or earthy notes over a biscuit malt base.

Finding a similar American Pale Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same hoppy, citrusy, dry character as Yellow Donkey will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other American Pale Ales in hopIQ

Explore all American Pale Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse Greece beers →

WHERE TO BUY

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