Amber Ale
What You Need To Know
As the name would suggest, the style has as much to do with color than any other characteristic. This style is certainly a contemporary and American invention. The moniker is used to identify anything from profound Ales to simple and quaffable brews. Amber Ale, sometimes identified as “Red Ale,” is most often the top seller in any given US brewpub. Amber Ales often hit the ever popular middle cord offering more malt flavor and weight than a lighter style while being restrained, not heavily hopped, and free of sharp flavors resulting from the use of a good portion of dark roasted malts. While it is fair to say that Amber Ale is a style without an actual definition, Amber Ales are often subtle versions of a brewer’s Pale Ale or IPA.
Great Examples of the Style
Anderson Valley Boont Amber, USA
Bells Amber, USA
North Coast Red Seal Ale, USA