About This Beer
Mikkeller Pacific Wave Delay Rye Pale Ale 44cl 5% is a distinctive Red Rye West Coast Pale Ale that brings together the spicy dryness of rye malt and the bold hop character associated with traditional American West Coast brewing.
Created by Mikkeller, the Copenhagen-based craft beer brand, Pacific Wave Delay offers a refreshing alternative to conventional pale ales through its combination of speciality malts and five expressive American hop varieties.
Explore our craft beer collection to discover more American-style pale ales, IPAs and speciality releases from breweries around the world.
Pacific Wave Delay is built around a malt base of pilsner and rye, supported by speciality malts that introduce subtle caramel and roasted flavours.
The rye contributes a distinctive spicy character and helps create the beer's crisp, dry finish.
To balance this malt complexity, Mikkeller uses Cascade, Centennial, Citra, Simcoe and Columbus hops.
These five varieties are added through a brewing process that includes two stages of dry hopping, creating an expressive aroma of tropical fruit, bright citrus and resinous pine.
At 5% ABV and 55 IBU, Pacific Wave Delay delivers the bitterness and aromatic intensity associated with West Coast brewing while remaining relatively approachable in strength.
The result is a characterful pale ale that balances malt complexity, rye spice and assertive hop flavours.
Tasting Notes
Mikkeller Pacific Wave Delay combines the rich malt character of a red rye pale ale with the citrus-forward intensity of American hops.
Appearance: Reddish amber with a pale foam head.
Aroma: Tropical fruit, bright citrus, pine and subtle caramel.
Flavour: Citrus, resinous pine, gentle roasted malt and rye spice.
Body: Medium-bodied with a structured malt backbone.
Mouthfeel: Crisp and refreshing.
Bitterness: 55 IBU.
Finish: Dry, clean and assertively bitter.
ABV: 5%.
The aroma opens with bright citrus and tropical fruit, supported by resinous pine from the American hop varieties.
As the beer develops, the malt character becomes more apparent, introducing subtle caramel and toasted notes.
On the palate, citrus and pine provide the initial hop intensity.
The rye malt adds a gentle spicy character, while the speciality malts contribute additional depth without making the beer overly heavy.
The combination of rye and hop bitterness creates a particularly dry, crisp finish.
This balance makes Pacific Wave Delay an interesting choice for customers who enjoy the assertive character of West Coast pale ales but appreciate a more complex malt profile.
About Mikkeller
Mikkeller was founded in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2006 by Mikkel Borg Bjergsø and Kristian Klarup Keller.
The brand became internationally recognised for its experimental approach to brewing and its willingness to explore an enormous variety of beer styles.
Mikkeller initially developed its reputation through a gypsy brewing model, creating beers using facilities operated by other breweries rather than relying on a single permanent production site.
This approach allowed the brand to collaborate with breweries around the world and experiment with different ingredients, brewing techniques and styles.
Over the years, Mikkeller has produced everything from traditional pale ales and IPAs to imperial stouts, sour beers and speciality releases.
Its beers are particularly associated with creative recipes, distinctive artwork and a willingness to challenge conventional brewing expectations.
Pacific Wave Delay reflects this approach by combining the traditional hop character of a West Coast pale ale with the distinctive malt profile of a red rye beer.
Rather than relying entirely on hop intensity, the recipe uses rye and speciality malts to introduce additional flavour and texture.
The result is a beer that celebrates both the malt and hop ingredients.
What Is a Red Rye West Coast Pale Ale?
A Red Rye West Coast Pale Ale combines elements of several related brewing traditions.
West Coast pale ales are generally characterised by pronounced hop aroma, noticeable bitterness and a relatively crisp finish.
American hop varieties frequently contribute citrus, pine, floral and resinous flavours.
Red pale ales introduce a more substantial malt character, often featuring caramelised or lightly roasted malts that contribute colour and flavour.
Rye pale ales incorporate rye malt alongside barley, adding a distinctive spicy character and often contributing to a dry finish.
Pacific Wave Delay brings these elements together.
Its pilsner malt provides a relatively clean foundation, while rye introduces spice and dryness.
Speciality malts contribute subtle caramel and roasted notes, helping create the beer's richer malt character.
The five-hop combination then introduces the bright citrus, tropical fruit and pine aromas associated with American West Coast brewing.
At 55 IBU, the beer has pronounced bitterness, but its malt backbone provides enough structure to maintain balance.
This combination creates a distinctive interpretation of the West Coast pale ale style.
The Five-Hop Combination
One of the defining features of Mikkeller Pacific Wave Delay is its combination of five American hop varieties.
Cascade
Cascade is one of the most influential hops in American craft brewing.
It is particularly associated with grapefruit, citrus and floral aromas.
Centennial
Centennial is known for its expressive citrus character, often contributing lemon, grapefruit and floral notes.
Citra
Citra is celebrated for its vibrant tropical fruit and citrus aromas, frequently associated with mango, passion fruit and lime.
Simcoe
Simcoe can contribute pine, citrus, resinous character and tropical fruit notes.
Columbus
Columbus is often associated with assertive bitterness, resinous pine and earthy or herbal characteristics.
Together, these varieties create a layered aromatic profile that combines citrus brightness with tropical fruit and pine.
Mikkeller uses two stages of dry hopping to build additional hop aroma.
Dry hopping involves adding hops during or after fermentation, allowing brewers to introduce aromatic compounds without extracting the same level of bitterness as a traditional boil addition.
This technique helps create the expressive hop character found in Pacific Wave Delay.
Food Pairings
The citrus, pine and rye spice character of Pacific Wave Delay makes it particularly suitable for pairing with savoury dishes.
Burgers
A beef burger with mature Cheddar works well with the beer's malt backbone and assertive hop bitterness.
Fish and Chips
The beer's crisp finish and carbonation provide a refreshing contrast to battered fish and chips.
Grilled Chicken
Grilled chicken with lemon, garlic and herbs complements the beer's citrus and herbal hop character.
Mushroom Pizza
A mushroom pizza with mozzarella and herbs provides an interesting pairing for the beer's earthy rye spice and resinous hop notes.
Roast Pork
Roast pork with crispy potatoes and herbs complements the beer's caramel malt character and dry finish.
Mature Cheddar
The savoury richness of mature Cheddar balances the beer's bitterness, while its malt sweetness provides contrast.
Serving Suggestions
Mikkeller Pacific Wave Delay is best enjoyed fresh to appreciate its expressive hop aromas.
Serve at approximately 6–9°C in a clean beer glass.
An IPA glass, tulip or traditional pint glass will all work well.
Pour gently to develop a foam head and release the citrus and pine aromas.
Allow the beer to warm slightly in the glass to appreciate the subtle caramel and rye malt character.
As with other hop-forward pale ales, freshness is important.
Store cans in a cool, dark location, ideally refrigerated, to help preserve their hop character.
Unlike stronger beers intended for ageing, Pacific Wave Delay is best enjoyed relatively fresh.
Try More Like This
If you enjoy Mikkeller Pacific Wave Delay, there are several related craft beer styles worth exploring.
West Coast pale ales offer similarly pronounced citrus, pine and resinous hop character.
American red ales provide a richer malt profile, often combining caramel flavours with expressive hops.
Rye IPAs introduce a more noticeable spicy malt character alongside assertive hop bitterness.
Traditional West Coast IPAs generally deliver greater bitterness and hop intensity, often at a higher ABV.
For customers interested in comparing different interpretations of American hop character, these styles offer plenty of variety.
Browse our craft beer collection for more pale ales, IPAs and speciality beers from Ireland and around the world.
Mikkeller Pacific Wave Delay Rye Pale Ale 44cl 5% combines the best elements of American West Coast brewing with the distinctive character of rye malt.
With its five-hop combination, two-stage dry hopping and crisp, bitter finish, it offers a flavourful and refreshing experience for fans of hop-forward craft beer.
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.