Style Sheet for… American Style Amber Red Ale
Greetings,
“The American Amber Ale or American Red Ale is the top-fermenting version of the American Style Amber Lager. It is particularly popular because it has a bright copper color, slightly sweet flavor associated with the American Style Amber Lager as well as aromas more common to ales. The traces of apple, pear, and cherry aromas come from the ale yeast used to ferment these beers. What makes them unique to American brewers is the use of American hops (usually Cascade) that impart a citric, almost grapefruit impression to both the aroma and the flavor. “
“Garrett Oliver, in his book The Brewmasters Table, writes that, “Darker versions of American pale ale are sometimes referred to as amber beers, or, even more vaguely, just “amber.” To some extent, amber ale is a catch-all term and therefore difficult to pin down. You can expect these beers to be copper colored and show more caramel malt flavor than paler beers. They are sometimes fuller bodied and can be fairly fruity. Almost all will show some citrus American hop character.” “
“The Association of Brewers’ 2004 Beer Style Guidelines state that this style of beer is, “characterized by American-variety hops used to produce high hop bitterness, flavor, and medium to high aroma. Amber ales have medium-high to high maltiness with medium to low caramel character. They should have medium to medium-high body.” Most of these beers have alcohol content between 4.5-6% by volume.” “
Cheers!
Peter LaFrance
( http://www.beerbasics.com/ )
The above is one of my entries to The Oxford University Companion to American Food & Drink:
http://www.amazon.com/Oxford-Companion-American-Food-Drink/dp/0195307968/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201787712&sr=1-1
