Name
American Brown Ale
Category
Amber and Brown American Beer
BJCP Style Code
19 C
Appearance
Light to very dark brown color. Clear. Low to moderate off-white to light tan head.
Aroma
Moderate malty-sweet to malty-rich aroma with chocolate, caramel, nutty, and/or toasty qualities. Hop aroma is typically low to moderate, of almost any variety that complements the malt. Some interpretations of the style may feature a stronger hop aroma, an American or New World hop character (citrusy, fruity, tropical, etc.), and/or a fresh dry-hopped aroma (all are optional). Fruity esters are moderate to very low. The dark malt character is more robust than other brown ales, yet stops short of being overly porter-like. The malt and hops are generally balanced.
Flavour
Medium to moderately-high malty-sweet or malty-rich flavor with chocolate, caramel, nutty, and/or toasty malt complexity, with medium to medium-high bitterness. The medium to medium-dry finish provides an aftertaste having both malt and hops. Hop flavor can be light to moderate, and may optionally have a citrusy, fruity, or tropical character, although any hop flavor that complements the malt is acceptable. Very low to moderate fruity esters.
Mouthfeel
Medium to medium-full body. More bitter versions may have a dry, resiny impression. Moderate to moderately-high carbonation.
Overall Impression
A malty but hoppy beer frequently with chocolate and caramel flavors. The hop flavor and aroma complements and enhances the malt rather than clashing with it.
Typical Ingredients
Well-modified pale malt, plus crystal and darker malts (typically chocolate). American hops are typical, but continental or New World hops can also be used.
History
An American style from the modern craft beer era. Derived from English Brown Ales, but with more hops. Petes Wicked Ale was one of the first and best known examples, and inspired many imitations. Popular with homebrewers, where very hoppy versions were sometimes called Texas Brown Ales (this is now more appropriately a Brown IPA).
Comments
Most commercial American Browns are not as aggressive as the original homebrewed versions, and some modern craft-brewed examples. This style reflects the current commercial offerings typically marketed as American Brown Ales rather than the hoppier, stronger homebrew versions from the early days of homebrewing. These IPA-strength brown ales should be entered in the Specialty IPA as Brown IPAs.
Commercial Examples
Anchor Brekles Brown, Big Sky Moose Drool Brown Ale, Brooklyn Brown Ale, Bells Best Brown, Cigar City Maduro Brown Ale, Smuttynose Old Brown Dog Ale, Telluride Face Down Brown
Original Gravity
1.045 - 1.060 SG
Final Gravity
1.010 - 1.016 SG
Color
18 - 35 SRM
Alcohol
4.0 - 6.0 %vol
Bitterness
20 - 30 IBU