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Hawkshead Red

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Bitter and sweet in one glass: a rich, malt-forward red ale brewed with English Maris Otter malted barley and whole-cone English hops, so the malt leads and the hops stay English. Hawkshead has brewed in Flookburgh in Cumbria since 2024, with water that falls on the Lake District hills.

ABV
4.2%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Clean, dry bitterness
SRM
amber14
PaceSession
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
maltynoble hophoppy
malty
noble hop
hoppy
caramel
Aroma
English noble hops lead with gentle herbal and floral notes, balanced by a rich, toasted Maris Otter malt backbone.
not found:juicy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Hawkshead Red

◎ Appearance

Deep amber to light copper hue, clear and bright with excellent visibility. A dense, off-white head forms readily and clings to the glass with fine Schaumhaftung as you drink. Carbonation is moderate and well-integrated, creating a refined effervescence.

copper, clearpersistent headmoderate carbonation

◌ Aroma

English noble hops lead with gentle herbal and floral notes, balanced by a rich, toasted Maris Otter malt backbone. Sweet caramel and biscuit undertones emerge beneath the hop character, with a clean, neutral yeast profile that never interferes. The overall impression is restrained and harmonious.

Edelhopfen, herbaltoasted maltcaramel, biscuit

◐ Taste

Malt dominates the palate from entry through mid-palate, delivering toffee, bread crust, and gentle caramel sweetness. Moderate, well-measured bitterness arrives mid-palate and persists without aggression, allowing the malt's richness to remain central. The finish is smooth and balanced, with no rough edges.

malt-forwardtoffee, breadrestrained bitterness

◑ Finish

Clean, medium-length finish with lingering caramel malt and a subtle herbal hop note. Drying gently without harshness, leaving a pleasant, grainy sweetness on the palate.

medium finishdry sweetness
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
82
Appearance
80
Finish
72
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 Hawkshead Red

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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 malty, sweet, bitter character as Hawkshead Red will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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