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Amber and Brown American Beer / 19C

American Brown Ale

Certified Beer Server Candidate Style Profile

Official BJCP guideline sections attached for full style exploration.

Certification exam alignment
Certified Beer Server Certified Cicerone® Advanced Cicerone® BJCP Beer Judge Entrance Exam
Source
BJCP 2021 Beer Style Guidelines

Overall Impression

A malty but hoppy standard-strength American ale frequently with chocolate and caramel flavors. The hop flavor and aroma complement and enhance the malt rather than clashing with it.

Aroma

Moderate malty-sweet to malty-rich aroma with chocolate, caramel, nutty, or toasty qualities. Hop aroma is typically low to moderate, of almost any type that complements the malt. Some interpretations of the style may optionally feature a stronger hop aroma, an American or New World hop character (citrusy, fruity, tropical, etc.), or a dry-hopped aroma. 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.

Appearance

Light to very dark brown color. Clear. Low to moderate off-white to light tan head.

Flavor

Medium to moderately-high malty-sweet or malty-rich flavor with chocolate, caramel, nutty, or toasty malt complexity, with medium to medium-high bitterness. Medium to medium-dry finish with an aftertaste of both malt and hops. Light to moderate hop flavor, sometimes citrusy, fruity, or tropical, although any hop flavor that complements the malt is acceptable. Very low to moderate fruity esters. The malt and hops are generally equal in intensity, but the balance can vary in either direction. Should not have a roasted character suggestive of a Porter or Stout.

Mouthfeel

Medium to medium-full body. More bitter versions may have a dry, resiny impression. Moderate to moderately-high carbonation. Stronger versions may be lightly warming.

Vital Statistics

IBU
20 - 30
SRM
18 - 35
ABV
4.3% - 6.2%

Commercial Examples

  • Avery Ellie’s Brown Ale
  • Big Sky Moose Drool Brown Ale

Similar Styles: How to Tell Them Apart

Use these guideline-based sensory contrasts to organize comparative tasting practice.

Both are brown, malt-forward ales that can show chocolate, caramel, nutty, and toasty notes without becoming Porter-like. British Brown Ale is gentler, more caramelly-toffee and English-hop oriented; American Brown Ale is generally richer, hoppier, more bitter, and can show American or New World hop character.

Compare with: 13B. British Brown Ale

By aroma

  • American Brown Ale has a moderate malty-sweet to malty-rich aroma with chocolate, caramel, nutty, or toasty qualities, more robust than British Brown Ale's lighter sweet toffee-caramel profile.
  • American Brown Ale can feature citrusy, fruity, tropical, or dry-hopped American or New World hop aroma, unlike British Brown Ale's optional light floral or earthy hop note.
  • American Brown Ale's dark malt is more robust than British Brown Ale's but must not become overly Porter-like.

By taste

  • American Brown Ale brings medium to moderately-high rich chocolate, caramel, nutty, and toasty malt with medium to medium-high bitterness, stronger than British Brown Ale's gentler sweet malt and lower bitterness.
  • American Brown Ale can balance its malt with citrusy, fruity, or tropical hop flavor, whereas British Brown Ale's optional hop flavor is low and floral or earthy.
  • American Brown Ale is generally hoppier, more bitter, richer in malt, and often stronger than British Brown Ale, although neither should suggest Porter or Stout roast.

Quick tell: Richer chocolate-caramel malt with firmer bitterness and American hop character favors American Brown Ale.

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