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Shark Bite

Pizza Port Brewing Company
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🌍 United States · Red Ale · One of 16 Red Ales in hopIQ

Shark Bite was the first beer brewed at Pizza Port Solana Beach in 1992, and every location brews it to the same recipe. It is a robust American red ale in which dark caramel malt meets Cascade and Centennial hops. Toffee, caramel and toasted bread carry the palate, while the hops add citrus peel and resin. A firm bitterness gives the finish a spicy, drying edge, so the beer comes across as hoppy and malty at once.

ABV
6%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter58 IBU
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
amber14
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Substantial body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Firm bitter edge.
mildbitter
Texture
Balanced mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

The hops lead — a hop-forward beer where the punch holds the shape.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Red Ale.
Hop character
hoppy
resinous
citrusy
Malt character
caramel
malty
toasty
Distinctive notes
spicy

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Shark Bite

◎ Appearance

Shark Bite presents a clear, deep amber to copper hue, reflecting its caramel malt foundation. The head is dense and cream-colored, with solid retention and good Schaumkleiden down the glass. Carbonation is visible and moderate, appropriate for the style.

deep amberclearcream head

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with toasted bread and dark caramel notes from the malt bill, followed by citrus peel and subtle resinous undertones from the Cascade and Centennial hops. A light spice character emerges on closer inspection, with no notable yeast esters or adjunct notes—a clean, malt-forward presentation.

toasted breadcitrus peelcaramel malt

◐ Taste

The palate enters with toffee and caramel sweetness, establishing a sturdy malty foundation in the mid-palate where toasted bread flavors become prominent. The Cascade and Centennial hops introduce citrus and resin, building a firm bitterness that drives toward the finish without overwhelming the malt character.

toffeecaramelcitrus and resinbalanced

◑ Finish

The finish is spicy and drying, with the hop bitterness lingering cleanly on the palate. The beer holds a pleasant tension between residual malt sweetness and assertive IBU presence, with no harsh edges.

spicy drynesslingering bitterness
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
83
Taste
82
Appearance
80
Finish
81
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Shark Bite

Serve at 8–11°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

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

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Shark Bite

About Red Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Red Ale?

Red Ale 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 Red Ale

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

Other Red Ales in hopIQ

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