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Real Ale Chill Theory

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Real Ale's Cold IPA — 6.5% ABV, 40 IBU, lager-yeast fermentation stripping the malt to bare Pilsner cleanness while the hop bill keeps American-IPA intensity. Extra-dry, extra-crisp, unmistakably distinct from the brewery's three ale-yeast IPAs. The 'cold' is the fermentation temperature, not the marketing.

ABV
6.5%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter40 IBU
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
golden5
PaceTwo or Three
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
cleanhoppytropical
clean
hoppy
tropical
citrusy
piney
orange
Aroma
The nose leads with bright citrus and tropical notes—orange zest and lime pith—layered over a light herbal-pine backbone from the American hop bill.
not found:juicy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Real Ale Chill Theory

◎ Appearance

Pale golden hue with exceptional clarity and brightness—the lager fermentation delivers a transparent, luminous body. Fine carbonation supports a modest white head with delicate, persistent lacing. The visual presentation conveys crisp precision and restraint.

pale goldencrystal clearfine carbonationdelicate head

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with bright citrus and tropical notes—orange zest and lime pith—layered over a light herbal-pine backbone from the American hop bill. Clean fermentation character from the lager yeast leaves no esters or sulfur; the Pilsner malt base reads as restrained grain sweetness rather than caramel or bread. A dry, mineral-like quality emphasizes the cold fermentation's stripping effect.

citrus, orangetropical fruitherbal pineclean lager yeast

◐ Taste

Entry is crisp and dry, with the Pilsner malt providing a thin, clean foundation that yields immediately to hop intensity. Mid-palate displays distinct grapefruit bitterness and piney resin, balanced by restrained stone-fruit and orange notes. The 40 IBU sits elevated but never aggressive; the low malt sweetness ensures the finish remains bone-dry and refreshing rather than cloying.

dry, crisp entrygrapefruit, pine resinbalanced bitternessminimal residual sweetness

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and short, leaving behind a pleasant hop bitterness and citrus pith without lingering malt. The lager character ensures no phenolic or fruity esters extend the aftertaste.

dry, cleancitrus fade
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
82
Appearance
85
Finish
75
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 Real Ale Chill Theory

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About Cold IPA

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Cold 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 Cold IPA

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same dry, clean, crisp character as Real Ale Chill Theory will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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