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Cwtch Welsh Red Ale

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CAMRA Supreme Champion Beer of Britain 2015 — the highest honour in British brewing and the first and only Welsh beer to win. A perfect blend of six caramelly malts and three citrussy American hops. The hops give this beer a fresh hit that complements the caramel flavours. Cwtch means cuddle or cubbyhole in Welsh.

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
caramelcitrusyhoppy
caramel
citrusy
hoppy
malty
clean
fruity
Aroma
The nose opens with pronounced citrus notes from the American hop blend—grapefruit and orange zest dominate the initial impression.
also:orange
not found:juicy,roasted,sour,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Cwtch Welsh Red Ale

◎ Appearance

Cwtch presents a warm amber hue with excellent clarity and a stable, creamy head that leaves consistent lacing down the glass. The carbonation is moderate and well-integrated, creating fine bubbles that rise steadily through the body. The beer's color reflects the careful balance of six caramelly malts that form its backbone.

warm amberclearcreamy headmoderate carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with pronounced citrus notes from the American hop blend—grapefruit and orange zest dominate the initial impression. Beneath the bright hop character lies a soft, sweet caramel foundation with subtle bread-like malt undertones. The overall aromatic profile is inviting and fresh, with no harsh alcohol or yeast-driven esters.

citrus, orange zestsweet caramelbread maltclean hop presence

◐ Taste

The palate opens with caramel sweetness balanced immediately by the zesty bite of citrus hops, creating a dynamic tension that holds throughout the mid-palate. Malt sweetness persists without cloying, while the hop bitterness (30 IBU) adds definition and crispness rather than aggression. The body is medium and approachable, allowing flavors to emerge cleanly without heaviness.

caramel-citrus balancemedium bodyrestrained bitternesscrisp finish

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and relatively dry, with hop-driven citrus lingering gently on the palate as the initial sweetness fades. Aftertaste remains refreshing and brief, leaving no sticky residue—ideal for the beer's sessionable 4.6% ABV.

dry finishcitrus aftertasterefreshing
86
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
87
Appearance
86
Finish
85
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 Welsh Red Ale

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About American Amber Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a American 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 American Amber Ale

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

Compare with another beer →Explore all American Amber Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse United Kingdom beers →