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Lead Dog

Yukon Brewing
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🌍 Canada · Old Ale · One of 1 Old Ales in hopIQ

A winter ale blended from six malts and aged two months after fermentation. Near-black in the glass under a slightly tanned, creamy head. Dark chocolate and caramel dominate the aroma, with roasted nut and a trace of dark berry behind them. The palate is layered and malt-deep, medium in weight, with warming alcohol instead of heat and only a very light bitterness. The finish runs long, sweetish and smooth, and the strength stays well hidden.

ABV
7%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Roasted bitterness
SRM
deep amber15

AWARDS

Silver · 2023
Canada Beer Cup
English Style Old Ale
Silver — Canada Beer Cup (English Style Old Ale)
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Full body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Gently sweet notes.
drysweet
Bitterness
Moderate bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Somewhat creamy mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

The weight carries the beer on its own, leaving the aromatics free to lead.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Old Ale.
Malt character
caramel
chocolate
malty
nutty
roasted
Distinctive notes
dark fruit

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Lead Dog

Appearance

Near-black in the glass with deep mahogany undertones at the edges. A tanned, creamy head forms and clings to the rim with visible lacing as the beer settles. The body is opaque and shows the substantial malt foundation behind its dark colour.

near-blackcreamy headgood lacing

Aroma

Dark chocolate and caramel lead the nose, rich and inviting without cloying sweetness. Behind these comes a roasted nut character—walnut and hazelnut notes—with a subtle dark berry undertone that adds complexity. The alcohol integrates warmly into the bouquet rather than asserting itself.

dark chocolatecaramelroasted nutsdark berry

Taste

The palate is layered and deeply malt-driven, with medium weight and excellent balance. Dark chocolate and caramel form the core, while roasted nut notes and a whisper of dark fruit thread through the mid-palate. Bitterness remains very light, allowing the warming alcohol—never hot—to provide structure without dominating.

malty depthchocolate-caramelsmooth warmthrestrained bitterness

Finish

The finish runs long and clean, with a pleasant lingering sweetness that feels earned rather than residual. The strength remains hidden beneath layers of malt character, allowing the aftertaste to coast smoothly toward a dry close.

long finishsweet aftertaste
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
83
Appearance
80
Finish
81
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Lead Dog

Serve at 12–16°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 12–16°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 Lead Dog

About Old Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Old Ale?

Old 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 Old Ale

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

Compare with another beer →