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Wild Red Ale

Holgate Brewhouse
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🌍 Australia · Flanders Red Ale · One of 8 Flanders Red Ales in hopIQ

A red ale in the Flanders tradition, soured slowly and matured for eighteen months in ex-pinot-noir barrels. It pours a deep ruby, and a malt bill drawing on European specialty malts leaves enough residual sweetness to carry the acid. Dark fruit runs through aroma and palate: black plum, tart berries and sour cherry, with a creamy vanilla note taken from the oak. The acidity is sharp and tangy with a balsamic edge, and the finish is long and dry.

ABV
7%
Bitterness
Mild
SRM
deep amber15
See all Flanders Red Ale alternatives →

AWARDS

Silver Medal · 2018
Australian International Beer Awards
Silver Medal · 2022
Australian International Beer Awards
Silver Medal · 2023
Australian International Beer Awards
Silver Medal — Australian International Beer Awards
Silver Medal — Australian International Beer Awards
Silver Medal — Australian International Beer Awards
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
hopIQ take

Dry and crisp.

A direct pour that closes clean — trim and sharp, working together to keep things moving.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Flanders Red Ale.
Fermentation & yeast
sour
tart
Distinctive notes
dark fruit
oak
vanilla
Malt character
malty
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Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Wild Red Ale

Appearance

Deep ruby colour, translucent and clear with excellent clarity. The head is modest but persistent, laying down fine lacing as the beer is consumed. Carbonation is restrained, appropriate to the style.

deep rubyclearfine lacinglow carbonation

Aroma

The nose leads with dark stone fruit—black plum and sour cherry dominate, followed by subtle tart berry notes. Underneath runs a creamy vanilla accent from the ex-Pinot Noir barrel maturation, with soft European malt providing a gentle, supporting sweetness. The acidity is present but not aggressive on the nose.

dark fruitsour cherryvanilla oaktart berries

Taste

Entry is clean and brisk, with dark plum and tart berry flavours taking centre stage. The mid-palate displays a sharp, tangy acidity with a subtle balsamic note that cuts through residual malt sweetness—the balance between sour and sweet is deliberate and well-judged. Oak and vanilla frame the palate without overwhelming the fruit-acid interplay.

dark fruit-forwardtart and briskbalsamic edgebalanced sweetness

Finish

The finish is dry and extends considerably, with lingering acidity and a fine vanilla-oak texture. The aftertaste remains fruit-tinged and refreshing, characteristic of long barrel ageing.

dry and longlingering acidityvanilla fade
87
hopIQ score
Aroma
88
Taste
89
Appearance
85
Finish
86
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Wild 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 Wild Red Ale

About Flanders Red Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Flanders Red Ale?

Flanders 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 Flanders Red Ale

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

Other Flanders Red Ales in hopIQ

Explore all Flanders Red Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse Australia beers →

WHERE TO BUY

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