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Dye Hard

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December's festive cask is a rich chestnut English ale at 4.5% ABV, with fruity, spicy flavours and aroma. Maris Otter pale ale malt is paired with English Bramling Cross, East Kent Goldings and Fuggle hops. Described as multi-coloured and festive, it closes Hydes' 2026 series of hairstyle-themed monthly casks.

ABV
4.5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Herbal, floral bitterness
SRM
amber12
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
fruityspicymalty
fruity
spicy
malty
noble hop
herbal
caramel
Aroma
The nose leads with ripe stone fruit and subtle orchard notes from the ale yeast, backed by a warming spice character.
not found:hoppy,roasted,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Dye Hard

◎ Appearance

Deep chestnut brown with a warm, multi-hued glow typical of well-kilned pale ale malt. The beer presents clear clarity with a dense, persistent cream-coloured head that leaves fine lacing down the glass. Carbonation is moderate and well-integrated, creating a soft, inviting visual presence.

deep chestnutclearpersistent headfine lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with ripe stone fruit and subtle orchard notes from the ale yeast, backed by a warming spice character. English Bramling Cross, East Kent Goldings and Fuggle hops contribute layered herbal and noble-hop aromatics with hints of black pepper and dried earth. Beneath lies a soft, biscuity Malz Otter malt foundation with faint caramel undertones.

stone fruitblack pepperherbal hopsbiscuit malt

◐ Taste

Entry is smooth and approachable, with fruity and spicy flavours developing immediately across the palate. Mid-palate shows a balanced malty sweetness—caramel and bread crust notes—alongside the persistent noble-hop bitterness (28 IBU) that never overwhelms. The beer maintains rich body without heaviness, with herbal and slightly peppery notes weaving through to a clean, dry close.

balanced fruit-spicecaramel sweetnessclean bitternessrich body

◑ Finish

The finish is medium-length and drying, with a gentle fade of spice and herbal hop bitterness. A faint caramel echo lingers as the aftertaste settles into a crisp, moreish conclusion.

drying finishherbal fade
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
79
Appearance
76
Finish
74
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 Dye Hard

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About Best Bitter

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Best Bitter?

Best Bitter 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 Best Bitter

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same fruity, spicy, rich character as Dye Hard will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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