hopIQ
ENDE
Build your DNASign in

Rebels Brew

Tap to rate

A cask ale of 4.2%, clearly lower in strength than the bottled Traquair ales and fermented in the same oak tuns. Malt sets the tone from the aroma to the finish, joined by fruity notes of dark dried fruit. For its strength the beer comes across as fairly full-bodied.

ABV
4.2%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
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
maltydark fruitfruity
malty
dark fruit
fruity
oak
toasty
nutty
Aroma
Malt leads the olfactory profile with warm, toasted grain notes grounded by the oak aging in Traquair's traditional tuns.
also:caramel,bready
not found:hoppy,roasted,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Rebels Brew

◎ Appearance

Deep amber to brown with clear visibility and a fine, persistent head. The color reflects the moderate roast of the underlying Malz character. Carbonation appears restrained, typical of a cask ale, allowing for clean presentation and stable lacing.

deep amber-brownclearpersistent head

◌ Aroma

Malt leads the olfactory profile with warm, toasted grain notes grounded by the oak aging in Traquair's traditional tuns. Dark dried fruit—raisin and prune—emerges as a secondary layer, complementing rather than dominating the Malz foundation. Subtle fermentation character adds gentle complexity without sharpness.

toasted graindark dried fruitoak-aged

◐ Taste

Malt remains the driving force across the palate, delivering caramel and biscuit sweetness with a soft mouthfeel that belies the beer's modest 4.2% strength. Dark fruit notes integrate seamlessly with the Malz backbone, creating a cohesive mid-palate. Bitterness is gentle and restrained at 24 IBU, allowing sweetness and complexity to develop freely.

caramelbiscuit-forwardfull-bodied for strength

◑ Finish

The finish is dry and lingering, with residual Malz sweetness fading into a soft, warming aftertaste. No harsh edges or astringency intrude; the oak aging provides subtle structure without aggression.

drywarming fade
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
78
Taste
79
Appearance
76
Finish
77
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.

+ Sign in to add your tasting note

Food Pairing

What to eat with Rebels Brew

More from Traquair House Brewery

Traquair Bear Ale
Traquair Bear Ale
Scottish Export Ale
5% · 28 IBU
Find matches →
Traquair House Ale
Traquair House Ale
Scotch Ale
7.2% · 26 IBU
Find matches →
Traquair Jacobite Ale

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 malty, full-bodied, dark fruit character as Rebels Brew will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →