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Devil's Backbone

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Full-bodied and full-flavoured, with a refreshing hop undercurrent running beneath the malt and a wisp of chocolate at the back. The colour is deep red. It was steered away from the traditional Irish red by a larger hop charge, so the malt sweetness carries an edge rather than sitting flat. American and European hops are used together. The name belongs to a ridge of hill behind the original site.

ABV
4.9%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter30 IBU
Roasted 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
hoppymaltychocolate
hoppy
malty
chocolate
caramel
Aroma
A blend of American and European hops creates a fresh herbal note with subtle citrus undertones that cut through the rounded malt base.
not found:juicy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Devil's Backbone

◎ Appearance

Deep red hue with excellent clarity and a light copper sheen in backlit conditions. The head forms with good initial volume and clings persistently to the glass walls, leaving fine lacing on each sip. Carbonation is moderate and well-integrated, supporting a fine foam structure.

deep redclearpersistent head lacingmoderate carbonation

◌ Aroma

A blend of American and European hops creates a fresh herbal note with subtle citrus undertones that cut through the rounded malt base. Beneath this lies a gentle sweetness from caramel malts, with a whisper of cocoa powder drifting in the background. The nose is inviting without dominating, balancing hop character against the malt foundation.

herbal hop charactercaramel malt sweetnesscocoa undertoneerfrischend

◐ Taste

The palate opens with a full, slightly sweet malt entry that carries good body without heaviness. A bracing hop bitterness emerges mid-palate, preventing the malt sweetness from settling flat and lending structure to the overall profile. Chocolate notes emerge quietly on the back, grounding the finish with a touch of roasted complexity.

malt-forwardbracing hop bitternesschocolate depthfull-bodied

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and moderately dry, with lingering hop bitterness that gradually fades. A faint chocolate trace persists in the aftertaste, leaving a pleasant and slightly warming conclusion.

dry finishlingering hop bitechocolate aftertaste
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
76
Taste
79
Appearance
80
Finish
77
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 Devil's Backbone

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About Amber Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Amber Ale?

Amber Ales have 4.5–6.2% ABV and IBU 25–40. Caramel malt sweetness balanced by moderate hop bitterness, a reddish-amber colour and smooth finish.

Finding a similar Amber Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same full-bodied, hoppy, refreshing character as Devil's Backbone will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →Explore all Amber Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse Ireland beers →