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Dawn of the Red

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Pineapple and citrus burst out of this red IPA, followed by a subtle malty backbone and a smooth malt finish with a gentle bite of hops. Hops and malt stay in step, and bitterness is rated at 66 IBU. Dawn of the Red has been part of Ninkasi's year-round lineup since 2014.

ABV
6.3%
Bitterness
Very bitter66 IBU
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden8
PaceTwo or Three
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
What makes this beer itself
MaltHop
citrusytropicalmalty
citrusy
tropical
malty
hoppy
Aroma
The nose opens with bright pineapple and citrus notes that lead the aromatics, backed by a subtle stone fruit character typical of tropical hop varieties.
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Dawn of the Red

◎ Appearance

Dawn of the Red presents a clear, bright copper-red body with a light amber hue at the edges. The head forms as a modest white foam that settles to a thin lacing along the glass. Carbonation appears moderate and well-integrated, creating fine bubbles that rise steadily through the liquid.

copper-redclearmoderate carbonationdelicate lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with bright pineapple and citrus notes that lead the aromatics, backed by a subtle stone fruit character typical of tropical hop varieties. Beneath the fruit sits a clean, understated malt sweetness that grounds the composition without overwhelming the hop expression.

pineapple forwardcitrus brightnesstropical hopsclean malt base

◐ Taste

The palate enters with immediate citrus and tropical fruit flavors that dance across the tongue, supported by a biscuity malt foundation that provides gentle sweetness and body. The 66 IBUs deliver a firm but well-mannered bitterness in the mid-palate, one that complements rather than dominates the malt character.

citrus-drivensmooth malt supportbalanced bitternesstropical fruit notes

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and moderately dry, with lingering citrus notes fading into a subtle hop bite. Malt sweetness recedes gracefully, leaving a refreshing and approachable aftertaste.

dry finishcitrus persistencegentle hop bite
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
78
Taste
79
Appearance
76
Finish
77
Serve at 8–11°C

Serve at 8–11°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Tulip glass

The curved shape concentrates hop aromas and supports a thick head. Essential for aromatic ales and IPAs where the nose is half the experience.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Dawn of the Red

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About Red IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Red IPA?

IPAs are hop-forward ales with 5.5–7.5% ABV and IBU 40–70+. Bold hop aroma — citrus, tropical, resinous — with firm bitterness and a dry, clean finish.

Finding a similar Red IPA

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same citrusy, tropical, malty character as Dawn of the Red will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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