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177 Strong Ale

Hook Norton Brewery
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🌍 United Kingdom · Strong Ale · One of 4 Strong Ales in hopIQ

A dark red strong ale with bold structure and malt depth. The malts bring rich caramel — no thin sweetness, but layered and warm — while fruity and spicy esters weave through, keeping it from settling into mere heaviness. The finish carries the warmth of the higher alcohol without harshness. A beer for the end of the evening, when substance matters more than pace. Serve around 10 to 12 degrees.

ABV
7.7%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
deep amber15
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

Full body.

The weight carries the beer on its own, leaving the aromatics free to lead.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Strong Ale.
Malt character
caramel
malty
Fermentation & yeast
fruity
Distinctive notes
spicy
dark fruit
Compare with another beer →

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for 177 Strong Ale

Appearance

Dark red-brown body with substantial depth, suggesting rich malt character and moderate caramelization. Head retention is generous, with stable lacing that clings to the glass. The beer presents clear, clean clarity without haze, allowing the depth of color to shine through.

dark red-brownstable headclearsubstantial body

Aroma

The nose opens with layered caramel and toffee, grounded by dark malt backbone. Beneath the sweetness, fruity esters—dried plum, raisin, and subtle stone fruit—emerge alongside gentle spice notes that prevent the profile from becoming one-dimensional. The alcohol warmth is present but restrained, integrated rather than aggressive.

caramel and toffeedark fruit esterssubtle spicemalt-driven

Taste

Entry is full and malty, with rich caramel sweetness that avoids thinness or cloying character. The mid-palate develops layered complexity: dark fruit flavors interweave with warming spice, while the substantial body carries alcohol warmth that feels natural rather than sharp. Bitterness is restrained, allowing malt and ester character to dominate the palate arc.

full-bodied maltcaramel sweetnessdark fruitintegrated warmth

Finish

The finish is long and warming, with alcohol presence felt as gentle heat rather than harshness. Residual caramel and dark fruit notes linger into the aftertaste, creating a satisfying, substantive close.

long finishwarming alcoholdry aftertaste
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
82
Taste
85
Appearance
78
Finish
81
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of 177 Strong Ale

Serve at 12–16°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 12–16°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 177 Strong Ale

About Strong Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Strong Ale?

Strong 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 Strong Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same full-bodied, caramel, malty character as 177 Strong Ale will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Strong Ales in hopIQ

WHERE TO BUY

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