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Hammerhead Red Ale

Chandeleur Island Brewing Company
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🌍 United States · American Red Ale · One of 3 American Red Ales in hopIQ

Named for the hammerhead sharks of the Gulf Coast and the brewery's conservation work tracking them — a smooth, malty red ale with caramel sweetness and a moderate hop finish. A nod to the maritime heritage of the Mississippi coast.

ABV
5.5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
amber12
See all American Red Ale alternatives →
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Substantial body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Off-dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Soft bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Balanced mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

Balanced backbone, with every axis close to the middle.

Nothing dominates, and that is the craft — each element gets room to be tasted.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another American Red Ale.
Hop character
hoppy
Malt character
caramel
malty
toasty
Fermentation & yeast
clean

FEATURED IN

Featured inThe Best American Amber Ales

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Hammerhead Red Ale

Appearance

Hammerhead Red Ale presents a warm amber-red hue with excellent clarity and a fine, persistent head that builds quickly from the pour. The carbonation is moderate and well-integrated, creating steady streams of small bubbles that maintain good lacing along the glass as you drink. The color reflects the caramel Malz character that forms the backbone of this ale.

amber-redclearpersistent headmoderate carbonation

Aroma

The nose opens with welcoming caramel and toasted Malz notes, supported by a subtle floral and herbal hop presence that suggests restraint rather than aggression. There is a gentle sweetness beneath, with faint traces of bread crust and a hint of the Gulf breeze promised by the beer's maritime inspiration. The overall impression is balanced and inviting rather than complex or layered.

caramel Malztoasted grainfloral hopsbread crust

Taste

The palate opens with sweet caramel and rich Malz character that carries into the mid-section with a smooth, medium body and no harsh edges. Moderate bitterness from noble-style hops arrives without dominating, creating a gentle counterpoint to the residual sweetness. The finish remains clean and approachable, with a subtle toastiness that lingers without becoming astringent.

caramel sweetnesssmooth Malzmoderate bitternessbalanced

Finish

The finish is clean and moderately dry, with the bitterness fading quickly to reveal a lingering sweetness and toasted grain character. The aftertaste is pleasant and brief, leaving no harsh residue and inviting another sip.

clean finishtoasted aftertaste
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
76
Taste
79
Appearance
80
Finish
77
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Hammerhead Red Ale

Serve at 8–11°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 8–11°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Hammerhead Red Ale

About American Red Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a American Red Ale?

American 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 American Red Ale

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

Other American Red Ales in hopIQ

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