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Cwtch

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Champion Beer of Britain 2015. Welsh for 'cuddle', Cwtch is an untraditional Welsh Red Ale using six malts and Citra hops. Tropical fruit and citrus backed by warm caramel malt. The beer that put Welsh craft brewing on the map.

ABV
4.6%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
deep amber16
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
caramelcitrusyfruity
caramel
citrusy
fruity
tropical
hoppy
malty
Aroma
The nose leads with vibrant Citra hop character, delivering tropical fruit and citrus notes that cut through the malt base.
also:orange
not found:juicy,roasted,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Cwtch

◎ Appearance

Cwtch displays a rich, deep amber to copper hue characteristic of its 16 SRM rating. The beer presents excellent clarity with a well-defined, tan head that demonstrates good retention. Carbonation appears moderate and lively, creating a visually inviting and well-structured presentation.

deep ambercoppertan headclear

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with vibrant Citra hop character, delivering tropical fruit and citrus notes that cut through the malt base. Beneath the hop-forward aromatics, warm caramel and subtle toffee notes from the six-malt bill provide depth and balance. A clean, inviting profile with gentle grain undertones suggests excellent brewing execution.

tropical fruitcitruscarameltoffee

◐ Taste

Entry reveals a harmonious malty sweetness with pronounced caramel and toffee character supported by dark fruit complexity. The mid-palate showcases the interplay between bready grain notes and the lingering tropical hop presence, creating a well-integrated flavor experience. Moderate bitterness (30 IBU) adds structure without overwhelming the approachable 4.6% ABV format.

maltycarameldark fruitbalanced bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and smooth, fading gracefully without harsh bitterness or lingering sweetness. A dry, grain-tinged aftertaste provides appropriate closure to this sessionable yet flavorful red ale.

cleansmoothdry
88
hopIQ score
Aroma
87
Taste
89
Appearance
85
Finish
86
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 Cwtch

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About Red Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Red Ale?

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 Red Ale

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

Other Red Ales in hopIQ

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