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Harvest Moon

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A medium-bodied, strong American red ale with strawberry, tangerine and honeydew melon notes from the hops. It comes from Free State in Lawrence, Kansas, the brewery that opened in 1989 as the first legal brewery in the state in over 100 years, and it is the red ale of the house. Free State’s beers go from a 14-barrel brewhouse to Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri.

ABV
7.4%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter37 IBU
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
amber12
PaceTwo or Three
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
What makes this beer itself
MaltHop
fruityberryhoppy
fruity
berry
hoppy
citrusy
juicy
tropical
Aroma
The nose leads with fruity, hop-driven aromatics dominated by strawberry and tangerine, backed by a subtle honeydew melon character that adds a refreshing quality.
also:caramel,malty
not found:piney,roasted,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Harvest Moon

◎ Appearance

Harvest Moon presents a clear, burnished amber hue with good depth and a bright, translucent character. The head forms with moderate density and displays solid retention, leaving a fine lacing pattern on the glass as it recedes. Carbonation appears lively, with a steady stream of small bubbles rising through the liquid.

burnished ambercleargood head retention

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with fruity, hop-driven aromatics dominated by strawberry and tangerine, backed by a subtle honeydew melon character that adds a refreshing quality. Underneath, a gentle toasted Malz note provides structure without overshadowing the bright citrus and berry notes. The overall impression is juicy and moderately complex, inviting continued exploration.

strawberry, tangerinefruity hopshoneydew

◐ Taste

Entry presents a well-balanced medium body with pronounced fruity and citrus flavors that evolve across the palate. Mid-palate reveals layered berry and tropical fruit notes, accompanied by a caramel and malty sweetness that provides foundation without cloying. The 37 IBU contributes a measured, clean bitterness that cuts through the fruit without dominating, allowing flavors to remain smooth and drinking-friendly throughout.

berry-forwardcitrus bitecaramel-malt base

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and moderately dry, with the fruity character lingering pleasantly alongside a restrained hop bitterness. The aftertaste remains smooth and quaffable, free from harsh tannins or astringency.

clean dryfruity persistence
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
79
Appearance
76
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 Harvest Moon

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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 fruity, berry, hoppy character as Harvest Moon will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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