BJCP 27 · Historical Beer
London Brown Ale
A very dark London brown ale, low in alcohol and clearly sweet, with caramel and toffee and almost no bitterness. A historical rarity.
London Brown Ale by the numbers
- Alcohol (ABV)
- 2.8 – 3.6%on a scale of 2.0 to 14.0
- Bitterness
- 15 – 20 IBUon a scale of 0 to 100
- Color
- 22 – 35 SRM43–69 EBCon a scale of 1 to 40
- Original gravity
- 1.033 – 1.038on a scale of 1.026 to 1.130
- Final gravity
- 1.012 – 1.015on a scale of 0.990 to 1.040
What London Brown Ale is like
A dark, low-alcohol, sweet brown ale with caramel and lightly roasted malt and very little bitterness. It's sweeter and lower in alcohol than a British Brown Ale.
Appearance
Dark brown to almost black, with garnet highlights. Clear. Beige to tan head.
Aroma
Sweet malt with caramel, toffee and a little chocolate or soft roast. Low fruity esters and almost no hops.
Flavor
Sweet from start to finish, with caramel, toffee and roasted malt notes. Low bitterness, just enough to keep it from being cloying. No burnt or acidic flavors.
Mouthfeel
Medium body despite the low alcohol, thanks to residual sugars. Moderate carbonation.
Where London Brown Ale comes from
Sweet bottled brown ales became fashionable in London in the early 20th century. The best known is Mann's Brown Ale, which has survived to this day as almost the only commercial example.
Ingredients
Pale malt, caramel malts and a little chocolate or roasted malt for color. Invert sugar or caramel, plus sweetness adjusted after fermentation; at home, lactose is the most practical way to get there. A small amount of English hops and English ale yeast.
Brew it yourself
How to brew London Brown Ale at home
Mash high, around 68-69 °C (154-156 °F), to leave unfermentable sugars, and ferment with a low-attenuating English yeast at 18-20 °C (64-68 °F). For the final sweetness, lactose is the safest choice, because regular sugar would ferment in the bottle and burst it. Without a high final gravity, it isn't this style.
Food pairing
Meat pie, sticky date cake and aged English cheeses.
Glassware: Teku glass, a tasting glass that works with almost any style.
Classic examples
- Mann's Brown Ale
Frequently asked questions
How strong is London Brown Ale?
Between 2.8% and 3.6% ABV, according to the BJCP 2021 Style Guidelines. That is a low strength.
How bitter is London Brown Ale?
It has 15 to 20 IBUs, a low bitterness. For reference, a mass-market lager is around 10 IBUs.
What color is London Brown Ale?
Dark brown to black: 22 to 35 SRM (43 to 69 EBC).
What food pairs well with London Brown Ale?
Meat pie, sticky date cake and aged English cheeses.
Which styles are similar?
If you like it, also try British Brown Ale, Dark Mild and Sweet Stout.
If you like London Brown Ale, try these
Classification and statistics: official London Brown Ale guidelines from the BJCP, 2021 edition. Original text by Hacer Cerveza Casera.