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Red Rocket Ale

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Sweet caramel malt carries this full-bodied, hoppy amber through to the finish. At 6.3% ABV, Red Rocket is a loose take on a Scottish-style red ale and goes back to the brewery's homebrew roots. It began as Ricardo's Red Rocket Ale, born in the same Healdsburg brewhouse that gave Bear Republic its Racer 5 IPA.

ABV
6.3%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
amber12
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
hoppycaramelmalty
hoppy
caramel
malty
Aroma
The nose leads with assertive noble hop character—floral and slightly herbal notes—layered over a generous caramel malt sweetness that evokes toffee and light brown sugar.
not found:juicy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Red Rocket Ale

◎ Appearance

Red Rocket presents a deep amber hue with excellent clarity and a warm, translucent glow when held to light. A dense, cream-colored head forms readily and clings to the glass with good retention, leaving distinct rings of lacing with each sip. Carbonation is moderate and well-integrated, creating a lively but not aggressive effervescence.

deep amberclearpersistent head

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with assertive noble hop character—floral and slightly herbal notes—layered over a generous caramel malt sweetness that evokes toffee and light brown sugar. A subtle fruity undertone emerges beneath, reminiscent of stone fruit, while the malt base provides warmth without excessive alcohol vapor. The hop profile dominates without becoming harsh or grassy.

floral hopstoffeecaramel maltstone fruit

◐ Taste

The palate is full and round, with caramel and toffee notes taking the lead from the first sip. A balanced bitterness—moderate and clean—integrates smoothly with the malt sweetness, building gradually through the mid-palate without becoming astringent. The hop character adds complexity and definition without overwhelming the underlying malt structure; the finish remains dry and composed.

caramel-forwardbalanced bitternesssmooth maltfull-bodied

◑ Finish

The finish is medium in length, with caramel warmth lingering pleasantly on the palate. A gentle, refined bitterness persists without harshness, tapering to a clean, slightly dry aftertaste.

warm finishrefined bitterness
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
79
Taste
79
Appearance
80
Finish
76
Serve at 8–11°C

Serve at 8–11°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 Red Rocket Ale

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About Amber Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Amber Ale?

Amber Ales have 4.5–6.2% ABV and IBU 25–40. Caramel malt sweetness balanced by moderate hop bitterness, a reddish-amber colour and smooth finish.

Finding a similar Amber Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same hoppy, caramel, full-bodied character as Red Rocket Ale will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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