BJCP 19C · Amber and Brown American Beer
American Brown Ale
A brown American ale with caramel and chocolate malt and noticeable American hops. More bitter and hoppy than a British Brown Ale.
American Brown Ale by the numbers
- Alcohol (ABV)
- 4.3 – 6.2%on a scale of 2.0 to 14.0
- Bitterness
- 20 – 30 IBUon a scale of 0 to 100
- Color
- 18 – 35 SRM35–69 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 – 1.016on a scale of 0.990 to 1.040
What American Brown Ale is like
A brown ale with caramel and chocolate malt and American hops that have more presence than in a British Brown Ale. Balanced, with a dry finish.
Appearance
Light brown to very dark brown, clear. Cream to tan head with good retention.
Aroma
Malt with caramel, chocolate, nut and light roast, with low to moderate citrusy or piney American hops.
Flavor
Caramel and chocolate malt with some roast, low to moderate American hop flavor and medium to medium-high bitterness. Medium-dry to dry finish.
Mouthfeel
Medium to medium-full body and moderate to high carbonation.
Where American Brown Ale comes from
American homebrewers created it in the 1980s, taking the British brown ale and giving it more American hops. Craft breweries adopted it later.
Ingredients
American pale malt with crystal, chocolate and sometimes Munich or toasted malt. American hops such as Cascade or Centennial and a clean American ale yeast.
Brew it yourself
How to brew American Brown Ale at home
Mash at 66-67 °C (151-153 °F) and ferment at 18-20 °C (64-68 °F). Use chocolate malt for color and depth without reaching porter-level roast. If you dry hop heavily, it'll get close to a Brown IPA.
Food pairing
Barbecued ribs, sausages or chili con carne.
Glassware: nonic pint glass, the classic pub glass, made for long drinks.
Classic examples
- Brooklyn Brown Ale
- Big Sky Moose Drool
Frequently asked questions
How strong is American Brown Ale?
Between 4.3% and 6.2% ABV, according to the BJCP 2021 Style Guidelines. That is a moderate strength.
How bitter is American Brown Ale?
It has 20 to 30 IBUs, a moderate bitterness. For reference, a mass-market lager is around 10 IBUs.
What color is American Brown Ale?
Brown to black: 18 to 35 SRM (35 to 69 EBC).
What food pairs well with American Brown Ale?
Barbecued ribs, sausages or chili con carne.
Which styles are similar?
If you like it, also try British Brown Ale, American Porter and Brown IPA.
If you like American Brown Ale, try these
Classification and statistics: official American Brown Ale guidelines from the BJCP, 2021 edition. Original text by Hacer Cerveza Casera.