About This Beer
Hope Limited Edition No.38 Red Ale is a rich, flavour-led craft beer that shows how much depth and balance the craft beer Ireland scene can offer. Brewed by Hope Beer in Dublin, this limited edition release takes the familiar red ale format and gives it extra weight, warmth, and character while still keeping it smooth and approachable. For anyone shopping craft beer online or looking for a more distinctive Irish craft beer, this is a beer with plenty to offer.
At 7% ABV, it sits at the fuller end of the style, giving it a rounder body and a slightly warming finish. The malt bill does much of the heavy lifting here, bringing caramel, toasted bread, biscuit, and light toffee notes through each sip. There is also a subtle dark fruit edge that adds depth without making the beer feel sweet or heavy. A restrained bitterness keeps everything in check, so the beer remains balanced and easy to enjoy.
This red ale beer is a very good fit for drinkers who enjoy flavour and structure in their beer but do not always want the roast intensity of stout beer or the sharper bitterness of hop-led styles. If you enjoy malt-forward beers with a smooth finish, take a look at our Red & Brown Ale range for more styles in a similar vein.
Tasting Notes:
- Appearance: Deep ruby red with bright clarity and a soft off-white head
- Aroma: Caramel malt, toasted biscuit, a touch of dried fruit, and a gentle earthy hop note
- Flavour: Smooth caramel and toffee up front, followed by biscuit, light fruit, and a measured bitterness on the finish
- Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied and rounded, with a smooth texture and a slight warming character
About the Brewery
Hope Beer is an independent brewery based in Dublin, brewing from Howth Junction Business Park in Kilbarrack. The brewery has become one of the best-known names in craft beer Dublin thanks to its focus on consistency, flavour, and well-made beers that people genuinely want to drink again. Their range balances core favourites with seasonal and limited edition releases, giving regular customers something dependable alongside fresh new options.
What makes Hope stand out is its straightforward brewing philosophy. Rather than chasing trends for the sake of it, the brewery puts quality ingredients and balance first. That approach has earned it a strong place within Irish craft beer, with a reputation for beers that are expressive without becoming overworked. Limited Edition No.38 Red Ale fits that approach well, taking a classic malt-led style and giving it extra intensity while keeping it clean and drinkable.
For customers shopping craft beer Dublin or ordering craft beer delivered across Ireland, Hope remains one of the most reliable breweries for quality and consistency. You can see more local brewing talent in our wider Irish Craft Beer collection.
Food Pairings
This beer is particularly strong with food because its malt sweetness and moderate bitterness make it adaptable across a range of dishes. It pairs very well with beef burgers, sausages, roast pork, and lamb, where the caramel and toasted malt notes can complement richer savoury flavours. It is also a good match for steak pies, beef stew, or shepherd’s pie, especially on cooler evenings when you want something with a bit more weight.
Cheese is another strong option here. Aged cheddar, Red Leicester, or nutty Alpine-style cheeses all work nicely with the beer’s caramel and biscuit notes. If you are putting together a casual sharing spread, this beer can also work with cured meats, sausage rolls, and mushroom dishes, especially where there is some roasted or earthy character in the food.
If you are ordering for a gathering and want to build a broader beer selection, this red ale also sits nicely alongside stronger continental styles and draught options. Check out our Beer Kegs if you want something larger-format to go with your bottled and canned craft beer order.
Hope Limited Edition No.38 Red Ale is a smart pick for anyone who enjoys malt-driven beer with warmth, balance, and proper flavour. It is a confident limited release from one of Dublin’s best-known breweries and a very good example of how approachable a stronger Irish red ale can be.
Shop the best of craft beer Ireland and from around the world online with TheCru.ie or in our Dublin craft beer store, Carry Out Tyrrelstown in Dublin 15