HOPIQ FACEOFF
86%
Overall similarity
hopIQ take
BRLO Pale Ale if you want a fuller, slightly more assertive pale ale,
The Carlton if you want something leaner and more delicate.
Both sit at 35 IBUs, so bitterness isn't the differentiator here—it's the body and malt presence. That extra 0.5% ABV in BRLO actually lands in your mouth as noticeably more weight. The Carlton drinks like a pale ale that doesn't want to overstay its welcome; BRLO feels like it's got something to say.
At a glance
Generated from the four anchored axes — never hand-written.
Structurally near-identical
Structurally these two are the same beer. The difference is in the aromatics. Sweetness and bitterness match within Δ 1. BRLO Pale Ale runs a touch fuller in body (Δ 4). BRLO Pale Ale brings a distinct floral note that The Carlton doesn't.
Beer DNA
Body
Δ 4
Sweetness
Δ 1
Situations
In words
BRLO Pale Ale
BRLO Pale Ale has a slight roundness to it that catches you immediately. There's a gentle caramel undertone that builds as it warms, not cloying but definitely present. The 5% ABV gives it enough backbone to balance the hops without being heavy. It's the kind of pale ale you can sink into—not a session beer, but not demanding either.
The Carlton
The Carlton is cleaner and crisper, almost like someone dialed down the volume on a traditional pale ale. The malt is there but whisper-quiet, letting any subtle hop character breathe. At 4.5%, it feels lighter on the finish, which some nights is exactly what you need. There's no roughness, just straightforward and honest.
See what fits your taste
hopIQ scores every beer against your palate, not the average drinker's.
Build your Beer DNAKeep exploring
Beers like BRLO Pale Ale
View alternatives →Beers like The Carlton
View alternatives →Bitterness
Δ 0
Texture
Δ 3
Only BRLO Pale Ale
Shared character
Only The Carlton