BJCP 19A · Amber and Brown American Beer
American Amber Ale
An amber American ale with caramel malt and assertive American hops. Maltier than an American Pale Ale, with medium bitterness and a dry finish.
American Amber Ale by the numbers
- Alcohol (ABV)
- 4.5 – 6.2%on a scale of 2.0 to 14.0
- Bitterness
- 25 – 40 IBUon a scale of 0 to 100
- Color
- 10 – 17 SRM20–33 EBCon a scale of 1 to 40
- Original gravity
- 1.045 – 1.060on a scale of 1.026 to 1.130
- Final gravity
- 1.010 – 1.015on a scale of 0.990 to 1.040
What American Amber Ale is like
An amber ale with more malt than an American Pale Ale, moderate caramel and American hops that balance it. Easy to drink, neither very sweet nor very bitter.
Appearance
Amber to reddish copper, clear. Off-white head with good retention.
Aroma
American hops with citrus, pine or floral notes and malt with moderate caramel and toasted bread.
Flavor
Moderate caramel and toasted bread with low to moderate American hop flavor. Medium bitterness and a medium-dry to dry finish; the caramel shouldn't cover the hops.
Mouthfeel
Medium body and moderate to high carbonation.
Where American Amber Ale comes from
It appeared in the 1980s on the US West Coast as a maltier take on pale ale. It was sometimes called red ale, and today it's a brewpub classic.
Ingredients
American pale malt with medium crystal and sometimes a little Munich or toasted malt. American hops such as Cascade or Centennial and a clean American ale yeast.
Brew it yourself
How to brew American Amber Ale at home
Mash at 66-67 °C (151-153 °F) and ferment at 18-20 °C (64-68 °F). Use 10-15% crystal malt, combining different colors, to get caramel without making it cloying. If it's too sweet the hops disappear, and if it has too many hops it becomes a Red IPA.
Food pairing
Barbecued chicken, burritos or aged gouda.
Glassware: nonic pint glass, the classic pub glass, made for long drinks.
Classic examples
- Bell's Amber Ale
- North Coast Red Seal Ale
Frequently asked questions
How strong is American Amber Ale?
Between 4.5% and 6.2% ABV, according to the BJCP 2021 Style Guidelines. That is a moderate strength.
How bitter is American Amber Ale?
It has 25 to 40 IBUs, a moderate bitterness. For reference, a mass-market lager is around 10 IBUs.
What color is American Amber Ale?
Copper to light brown: 10 to 17 SRM (20 to 33 EBC).
What food pairs well with American Amber Ale?
Barbecued chicken, burritos or aged gouda.
Which styles are similar?
If you like it, also try American Pale Ale, Irish Red Ale and Red IPA.
If you like American Amber Ale, try these
Classification and statistics: official American Amber Ale guidelines from the BJCP, 2021 edition. Original text by Hacer Cerveza Casera.