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HO HO... OH NO!

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Cranberry and red fruit in the aroma, plums and a hint of raisin among aromatic malts, and biscuit and malt on the palate. This chestnut-coloured dark ale at 4.5% ABV is a December seasonal, hopped with Bramling Cross, Green Bullet, Pacific Gem and Eureka among others, over Maris Otter, aromatic, Vienna and black malts.

ABV
4.5%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
deep amber20
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
fruitymaltydark fruit
fruity
malty
dark fruit
hoppy
toasty
nutty
Aroma
The nose opens with bright cranberry and red stone fruit notes, followed by deeper plum and subtle raisin undertones.
also:caramel,bready
not found:juicy,roasted,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for HO HO... OH NO!

◎ Appearance

This chestnut-coloured ale presents a deep burnished brown with excellent clarity. The head forms generously and clings to the glass in fine rings, demonstrating good lacing. Carbonation is visible as a steady stream of fine bubbles rising through the body.

chestnut brownclearpersistent head

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with bright cranberry and red stone fruit notes, followed by deeper plum and subtle raisin undertones. Aromatic malts provide a foundation of biscuit and warm grain, while the blend of Bramling Cross, Green Bullet, Pacific Gem and Eureka hops adds gentle herbal and fruity complexity without dominating.

cranberry, plumaromatic maltgentle hop character

◐ Taste

Entry is smooth and rounded, with malt-forward character from Maris Otter, Vienna and black malts creating biscuit and toasty notes. Mid-palate reveals layered dark fruit, caramel sweetness and nutty undertones that build gradually. Bitterness arrives measured and balanced, neither sharp nor lingering harshly, leaving the palate clean without astringency.

biscuity maltdark fruitbalanced bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is of moderate length, drying gently as fruit and malt fade in harmony. A subtle warmth and faint nuttiness linger pleasantly, inviting another sip without demanding attention.

clean, dryfruity fade
76
hopIQ score
Aroma
78
Taste
76
Appearance
78
Finish
74
Serve at 10–13°C

Serve at 10–13°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 HO HO... OH NO!

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About Brown Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Brown Ale?

Brown 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 Brown Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same fruity, malty, dark fruit character as HO HO... OH NO! will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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