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Zmaj Pale Ale

Zmajska Pivovara
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🌍 Croatia · American Pale Ale · One of 216 American Pale Ales in hopIQ

Zmajska Pivovara's flagship pale ale — a clean, balanced American-style pale ale from Zagreb's Dragon Brewery. Citrus and floral hop character from American varieties over a light malt body with a dry, refreshing finish. Zmaj Pale Ale is the most accessible beer in the Zmaj range: a gateway craft pale ale for Croatian drinkers making the transition from industrial lager to craft beer.

ABV
5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
pale gold4
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
hoppy
citrusy
floral
Malt character
malty
Fermentation & yeast
clean
fruity
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Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Zmaj Pale Ale

Appearance

Zmaj Pale Ale presents a bright, translucent golden hue characteristic of the American pale ale style. The beer displays excellent clarity with a crisp white head that forms readily and maintains good retention. Bright carbonation is evident throughout, lending visual vitality to the pour.

goldenbrightclearwhite head

Aroma

The nose is dominated by assertive American hop aromatics, leading with vibrant citrus and subtle pine notes. Floral and herbal undertones provide complexity beneath the hop-forward character, while a clean malt base offers gentle supporting sweetness without dominating the aromatic profile.

citrus hopspinefloralherbal

Taste

The palate opens with clean hop bitterness balanced against a light, crisp malt body. Mid-palate reveals citrus and pine flavors with a touch of caramel maltiness grounding the hoppy character. The moderate 35 IBU bitterness integrates seamlessly, making this an exceptionally balanced and approachable craft pale ale.

balancedhoppycitrus-forwardcrisp

Finish

The finish is dry and refreshing with lingering hop bitterness that fades cleanly. No sweetness remains, allowing the pine and citrus notes to carry through to a satisfying conclusion.

drycleancrisp
80
hopIQ score
Aroma
82
Taste
80
Appearance
82
Finish
78
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Zmaj Pale Ale

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 Zmaj Pale Ale

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, refreshing, clean character as Zmaj Pale Ale 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 Croatia beers →

WHERE TO BUY

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