hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Red Sea of Cacao

Tap to rate

An imperial red ale with lush malt and chocolate flavors, brewed with local cacao, sea salt and a special blend of malt and hops, so it tastes like a salted caramel chocolate bar. 8.7 % and 28 IBU, served in a goblet, on draft and in cans. Brewed in Waimea, 2,764 feet above the sea, one batch at a time.

ABV
8.7%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter28 IBU
Roasted bitterness
SRM
amber14
PaceSipper
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
What makes this beer itself
MaltHop
chocolatecaramelmalty
chocolate
caramel
malty
salty
Aroma
Rich cocoa and roasted chocolate dominate the nose, layered with caramel sweetness and subtle toasted malt.
not found:hoppy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Red Sea of Cacao

◎ Appearance

Deep amber to copper-red hue, bright and clear with excellent transparency. A thick, creamy head forms readily and clings persistently to the glass walls, leaving distinct lacing with each sip. Carbonation appears moderate and well-integrated, supporting the dense foam structure.

deep copper-redexcellent claritythick cream headpersistent lacing

◌ Aroma

Rich cocoa and roasted chocolate dominate the nose, layered with caramel sweetness and subtle toasted malt. Sea salt adds a mineral complexity that lifts the confectionery notes without sharpness. A gentle herbal undertone from the hop blend provides balance without asserting bitterness.

cocoa-forwardroasted chocolatecaramel sweetnessmineral saltinessherbal hemp

◐ Taste

The palate opens with chocolate and caramel in equal measure, followed by substantial malty backbone that carries the full body through the mid-palate. Sea salt crystals create a savory counterpoint to the sweetness, mimicking salted confection. Bitterness remains restrained at 28 IBU, never dominating, allowing chocolate and malt to persist on the tongue.

chocolate-caramel balancefull-bodied maltsubtle salinityrestrained bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is smooth and lingering, with cocoa and caramel notes fading gradually into a dry, salty warmth. Alcohol heat at 8.7% provides gentle presence without harshness, settling into a pleasant mineral dryness.

smooth departurelingering cocoawarming alcoholmineral dryness
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
83
Taste
84
Appearance
85
Finish
78
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.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with Red Sea of Cacao

More from Big Island Brewhaus

Big Island Brewhaus Overboard IPA
Big Island Brewhaus White Mountain Porter
Coconut Creme Ale
Coconut Creme Ale
Cream Ale
5.1%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Dark Sabbath
Dark Sabbath
Belgian Strong Dark
9.5%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Fat Bastard Demise
Fat Bastard Demise
Wee Heavy
9.5%·Lightly bitter
Find matches →
Golden Sabbath
Golden Sabbath
Belgian Strong Golden Ale
8.5%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →
Graham's Pilsner
Graham's Pilsner
Czech Pilsner
5.6%·Noticeably bitter
Find matches →
Hoptopias IPA
Hoptopias IPA
Double IPA
8.0%·Strongly bitter
Find matches →

About Imperial Red Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Imperial Red Ale?

Imperial Red 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 Imperial Red Ale

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

Compare with another beer →