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Scarlet Macaw

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An amber American pale ale that returns each September as a limited cask release. Amarillo brings a spicy, orange-like fruitiness, Summit a firmer, more pungent bitterness; Caramalt adds colour and a light caramel sweetness to the Maris Otter and wheat base. Drinkers also report grassy and grape-like notes alongside the malt, and describe the finish as sharp and lingeringly bitter. Strength is 4.4 %.

ABV
4.4%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden7
PaceSession
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
spicygrassycaramel
spicy
grassy
caramel
orange
fruity
hoppy
Aroma
The nose leads with spicy, orange-like fruitiness from the Amarillo hop, layered with grassy and herbal notes that add complexity.
also:malty,wheat,citrusy
not found:juicy,roasted,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Scarlet Macaw

◎ Appearance

Bright amber hue with a warm, golden undertone characteristic of the style. The beer presents good clarity with a dense, cream-colored head that shows solid retention and leaves fine lacing on the glass. Carbonation appears moderate and well-integrated.

bright ambergood head retentionclear with fine lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with spicy, orange-like fruitiness from the Amarillo hop, layered with grassy and herbal notes that add complexity. A subtle grape-like character emerges alongside biscuity Malz notes from the Maris Otter and wheat base, with gentle caramel undertones from the Caramalt. The overall bouquet is inviting and balanced, without aggressive resinous intensity.

spicy orange peelgrassy, herballight caramel, biscuit

◐ Taste

Entry is clean and malty, with soft caramel sweetness establishing the mid-palate before the bitterness develops steadily. Summit hops deliver a pungent, firm bitterness that sits alongside the grape-like and grassy notes, creating a layered, slightly tannic sensation. The malt backbone remains present throughout, preventing the bitterness from overwhelming the overall balance.

caramel sweetnessfirm, pungent bitternessgrassy, grape notes

◑ Finish

The finish is notably sharp and lingeringly bitter, with the hop bitterness persisting well after swallowing. A dry, slightly astringent quality remains, complemented by residual grain character that fades gradually.

sharp, lingering bitternessdry finish
76
hopIQ score
Aroma
78
Taste
76
Appearance
77
Finish
74
Serve at 7–10°C

Serve at 7–10°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 Scarlet Macaw

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About American Pale Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a American Pale Ale?

Pale Ales balance malt sweetness with moderate hop character at 4.5–6% ABV and IBU 20–40. Approachable with floral, citrus or earthy notes over a biscuit malt base.

Finding a similar American Pale Ale

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

Compare with another beer →Explore all American Pale Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse United Kingdom beers →