WLS #064 - Hakata Red Ale
Orbit Beers in London, Greater London, England 🏴
Amber / Red Ale Series Out of Production|
Score
7.02
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To welcome the start of autumn, we got together once again with our friends at Hakata Ramen Bar in Bermondsey to brew a beer tailor-made for their Japanese-inspired menu.
The beer has a distinctive, unique characteristic from Sorachi Ace, a hop variety developed in Japan in the 1970s. Deep red in colour, this hoppy red ale has a malty, caramel base with an abundance of hop character. Sorachi Ace hops provide hints of coconut, dill and a touch of oak, with the Citra hops delivering a hit of grapefruit citrus and a bitter finish.
We adjusted the water profile to produce a brewing liquor high in carbonate and phosphoric acid, with a slight alkaline edge to complement wheat-based ramen noodles.
The beer has a distinctive, unique characteristic from Sorachi Ace, a hop variety developed in Japan in the 1970s. Deep red in colour, this hoppy red ale has a malty, caramel base with an abundance of hop character. Sorachi Ace hops provide hints of coconut, dill and a touch of oak, with the Citra hops delivering a hit of grapefruit citrus and a bitter finish.
We adjusted the water profile to produce a brewing liquor high in carbonate and phosphoric acid, with a slight alkaline edge to complement wheat-based ramen noodles.
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7.4/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 8
Texture 6
Overall 7.5
(Cask at Southampton Arms, Gospel Oak, London, 20 Nov 2025) Reddish amber colour with foamy, beige head. Malty, hoppy nose with notes of caramel, orange peel, pink grapefruit and resin. Malty, hoppy taste with caramel, crisp-bread, grapefruit, orange peel, pine needles, spruce and a generous citric/piney bitterness in the finish. Medium body, with a slight sweetness. Rich and tasty, with a generous hop presence. Very nice.
Tried
from Cask
at
Southampton Arms
on 17 Feb 2026
at 21:34
6.9/10
—
Appearance 7
Aroma 6.5
Flavor 7
Texture 7
Overall 7
Gravity Cask at day 2 of the 41st Pigs Ear Beer Festival, 03/12/2025.
Reddish amber topped with an off white head.
Nose is dried fruit rinds, biscuit, toasted grains, light bread dough.
Taste comprises biscuit, faint red berries, caramel, dried fruits.
Medium bodied, fine carbonation, semi drying close.
Fine for the style.
Reddish amber topped with an off white head.
Nose is dried fruit rinds, biscuit, toasted grains, light bread dough.
Taste comprises biscuit, faint red berries, caramel, dried fruits.
Medium bodied, fine carbonation, semi drying close.
Fine for the style.
Tried
on 03 Dec 2025
at 00:00
7/10
—
Appearance 7
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 7
Overall 7
Cask at Craft Beer Co Cvent Garden. Opaque light chestnut. Thin foamy off-white head Aroma has rye and spice with an initial slightly off edge. Flavourwise it has a lorra spice and rye and citrus over a resinous streak. Light-medium bodied. Slick. Soft-fizzy carbonation Long dry somewhat astringent finish. Enjoyable punchy stuff despite the initial questionable waft.
Tried
from Cask
at
Craft Beer Co - Covent Garden
on 31 Oct 2025
at 22:58
7.9/10
—
Appearance 7
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8
Cask at CBC, Covent Garden on 25th October 2025. Brownish copper with sha off-white foam and full lacing. Chunky malts for the aroma. Hazelnut nuttiness, peel and hints of smoke in-mouth, and a finish of smoky maltiness. Medium bodied with a smooth mouthfeel. Superb.
Tried
on 25 Oct 2025
at 22:45
6.9/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 7.5
On tap at The Green Goddess, Blackheath Royal Standard. Hazy reddish orange pour with a white head. Nose is red cherries, coconut, strawberry, citrus. Taste is red fruits & citrus, touch more coconut. Quite a sweet malt & lightly bitter affair.
Tried
from Draft
on 04 Dec 2024
at 20:51