Many North American brewers are now producing ales that are identified by the term “amber ale.” This is a more modern, non-traditional style, and many of these beers borrow heavily from the characteristics associated with more classical styles such as pale ales or bitters. Amber ales are light- to medium-bodied and can be anywhere from light copper to light brown in hue. Flavorwise they can vary from generic and quaffable to serious craft brewed styles with extravagant hoppy aromas and full malt character. Typically amber ales are quite malty but not heavily caramelized in flavor. For our purposes amber ales will also include ales commonly identified as “red ales,” and “American ales” as, from the consumer’s viewpoint, the dividing line between these styles can often be a more a marketing concern than a consistently observed brewing convention.
Warm weather presents something of a dilemma for brewers, as yeast is wont to misbehave under high temperatures. Rather than
In front of you are two glasses of India pale ale. They both fit the parameters of the style: stronger
Bison Organic IPA: This beer pours an attractive copper color with a rocky head. Willamette hops are used in this
For several thousand years, brewers made beer without hops. But truth be told, hops are what separate beer from wine,
Imperial IPAs (also known as Double IPAs) are distinguished by their prominent hop cone aromas and flavors, and bitterness that is intense and assertive. Colors range from deep gold to deep amber. These intense hop characteristics should be balanced by a rich malt backbone, mid-to-high levels notes and fruity esters. They are medium-to-full bodied in weight and notes of astringency and hop haze are accepted. Depending on the varieties of hops being used, the drinker can experience a wide range of hop flavors including tart citrus peels, pepper and earthy pine-like notes. Imperial IPAs have an ABV between 7.5 and 10.5 percent. These ales represent an extreme use of the hop flower in brewing and a challenge to the brewer in terms of balance and drinkability.
Bitter is an English specialty, and very much an English term, generally denoting the standard ale—the “session” beer—in an English brewer’s range. They are characterized by a fruitiness, light-to-medium body and an accent on hop aromas more than hop bitters. Colors range from golden to copper. Despite the name, they are not particularly bitter. Indeed, British-brewed bitters will often be less bitter than U.S. craft-brewed amber ales. A fuller-bodied bitter is labeled as “Extra Special Bitter” (ESB). These weightier versions of bitter often stand up better to the rigors of travel overseas than the lower gravity standard versions. An important element of faithful bitters is the use of English yeast cultures in fermentation. These impart a fruity, mildly estery character that should be noted in examples of the style. Bitters are now widely emulated in North America, sometimes with domestically grown hops, imparting a rather more assertive character than seen in traditional English bitters.
Avery Ellie’s Brown Ale: A 5.6 percent ABV ale, this brew has a very attractive roasted malt nose. The flavor
The resurrection of languishing stylistic gems might be America’s greatest contribution to brewing in the past 30 years. This would
Barley wine is the evocative name coined by British brewers to describe an extremely potent ale that can range from golden copper to dark brown in color. They are characterized by extravagant caramel malt flavors and bittering hops that prevent the malt sweetness from cloying. Rich and viscous, they can have in their most complex manifestations winey flavor profiles, with a hint of sweetness. Some examples are vintage dated and can improve with extended bottle age. These powerful brews are classically sold in small “nip” bottles and can be consumed after dinner or with dessert. The style has become popular among U.S. craft brewers who often produce them as winter specialties.
