If you love beer, chances are that ales largely appeal to your taste buds. And although light and dark beers are a favourite among beer lovers, pale ales, especially American Amber Ales, are a special category unto themselves. Amber Ale has a unique colour and flavour, and is made using a brewing recipe that is quite different from other beers. If you haven’t tried it, learn what makes this American beauty so special.
Although Amber Ale beer is labelled American, it is suspected to have its roots in Europe, deriving some of its characteristics from English Pale Ale. What sets it apart is its personality and style.
Different brewers today have their unique way of making this beerbut caramel and crystal malt are used invariably. Like other ales, ambers too differ from lagers as they are made with top-fermenting yeast.
The Features of Amber Ale
If you would like to know what to expect:
1. The Colour
The shade of Amber Ale differs according to the brewery, recipe used and age of the beer. However, if you check the Standard Reference Method (SRM) beer colour chart, the shade ranges between 10 and 20.
You can identify this ale as:
- Light copper
- Caramel gold
- Medium amber
- Red
- Deep amber
Some beer lovers also call itdark or caramel gold.
2. The Taste and Flavour
This beer is an amped-up version of a Pale Ale. It has more malt since brewers use crystal malt as part of the ingredients. The malt enhances the flavour and makes the beer full-bodied. When mixed with caramel, the malt gives this craft beer a toasty, relaxing and delicious taste.
Additional flavourings like moderately spicy citrusy hops cut through the beer’s fullness, making it a well-balanced brew. Delicate floral notes are also a significant part of the taste profile since they help balance the beer’s flavour.
3. Alcohol by Volume (ABV) Percentage
Most beers range between 4 and 7%. For instance, the American Amber Ale by Prancing Pony Brewery is settled at 5%. The alcohol content is relatively low and great for beginners. So, if it’s your first time, you’ll enjoy a calm experience, allowing you to enjoy the beer flavour before getting drunk off it.
4. The Aroma
The beer’s maltiness sometimes hides the hop aromas. However, spicy, citrusy hops in some beers shine through. The malt also has a distinct caramel quality. Experts classify the hop aroma as low to medium range, depending on the ale’s hopping conditions.
5. The Mouthfeel
After opening a can, the aroma hits you before the beer hits your mouth. Amber Ales have moderate to high carbonation, which depends on their medium or full-bodied nature. Stronger versions of this beer bring an alcoholic warmth to your palate.
6. The Price
The bestAmber Ales are those made by craft breweries. This makes them a little more expensive compared to other beers. But they do have better taste and quality, which can justify the pricing.
Food Pairings
Pale Ales go well with just about any meal. Lighter versions of this beer go perfectly with pizza, stews or chicken. On the other hand, stronger versions pair well with meats. So, you’ll enjoy it with steak. Roasted malts often go well with charred, seared or caramelised proteins, making them a go-to during barbecues.
Desserts, like chocolate cheesecakes and banana pound cake, also go well with Amber Ale, thanks to its flavourings and unique ingredients. Other beer lovers prefer to pair it with foods that have earthy notes, such as fish, rice and vegetables.
If you choose to incorporate this beer into your cooking, it would be best in the following dishes:
- Meat pie
- Casserole
- Steak
How to Serve Amber Ale
Beers taste better when served right. When you order this beer at a bar, bartenders will serve you in a chalice glass, tulip, mug glass, or stein. The best vehicle for this beer should have a wider bottom than the top. The features of the glass help retain the full-bodied nature of the ale.
To enjoy the beer even more, drink it chilled instead of cold. The recommended temperature for serving Amber Ale is 8 to 12 degrees Celsius. So, if you buy the beer and want to enjoy it at home, keep it in the fridge for about thirty minutes before drinking it.
Where You Can Get a Good Amber Ale
Many microbreweries have come up with new and improved flavours for their beers, and this is why crafted ales are preferred over mass-produced beers. Craft breweries are more naturally passionate about creating unique products for their clients, and spend considerable time and money exploring different ingredients to develop unique pairings.
Moreover, craft beer is stronger and has less water content than mainstream beer. You can brew this beer at home if you’re up to it. After all, you have many ingredients and flavourings to choose from. Basic ingredients include:
- Milled malt grains
- Sugar
- Malt extract (liquid or powder)
- Hops
- Yeast
Amber Ale can be recognised by its golden, reddish colour. However, appearance alone is not enough to classify it. The caramel malt taste, floral notes and citrusy hops give amber ales their unique taste and flavour. In addition, beginners love this beer for its immense flavour and moderate alcohol percentage.
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