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Strong American Ale / 22B

American Strong Ale

Unfiltered BJCP Styles Style Profile

This BJCP record is outside the Certified Cicerone® Level 2 beer-style list and is included for Advanced Cicerone® review.

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

Overall Impression

A malty, bitter, and strong American Ale fitting in the space between American Barleywine, Double IPA, and Red IPA. The malty and hoppy flavors can be quite strong, but are generally in balance.

Aroma

Medium to high hop aroma typically featuring modern American or New World hop characteristics such as citrus, floral, pine, resinous, spicy, tropical fruit, stone fruit, berry, or melon. Moderate to bold maltiness supporting the hop profile, with medium to dark caramel common, toasty or bready possible, and background notes of light roast or chocolate allowable. Neutral to moderately fruity fermentation profile. Alcohol may be noted, but should not be solventy.

Appearance

Medium amber to deep copper or light brown. Moderate-low to medium-sized off-white to light tan head; may have low head retention. Good clarity. Legs possible.

Flavor

Medium to high malt, with a caramel, toffee, or dark fruit quality. Malt complexity can include additional toasty, bready, or rich flavors in support. Light chocolate or roast allowable, but should not be burnt or sharp. Medium-high to high bitterness. Moderate to high hop flavor, same descriptors as aroma. Low to moderate esters. May have a noticeable alcohol flavor, but should not be sharp. Medium to high malty sweetness on the palate, finishing somewhat dry to somewhat sweet. Should not be syrupy, sweet, or cloying. Bitter to bittersweet aftertaste, with hops, malt, and alcohol noticeable.

Mouthfeel

Medium to full body. An alcohol warmth may be present, but should not be excessively hot. Light hop astringency allowable. Medium-low to medium carbonation.

Comments

A fairly broad style describing beers labeled in various ways, including modern Double Red Ales and other strong, malty-but-hoppy beers that aren’t quite in the Barleywine class. Diverse enough to include what may be viewed as a strong American Amber Ale with room for stronger versions of other American Ale styles.

Characteristic Ingredients

Pale base malt. Medium to dark crystal malts common. American or New World hops. Neutral or lightly fruity yeast.

Style Comparison

Generally not as strong and as rich as an American Barleywine. More malt balanced than an American or Double IPA. More American hop intensity than a British Strong Ale. Maltier and fuller-bodied than a Red IPA.

Vital Statistics

IBU
50 - 100
SRM
7 - 18
OG
1.062 - 1.090
FG
1.014 - 1.024
ABV
6.3% - 10%

Commercial Examples

  • Fat Head’s Bone Head
  • Great Lakes Nosferatu
  • Oskar Blues G’Knight
  • Port Brewing Shark Attack Double Red
  • Stone Arrogant Bastard

Style Attributes

amber-color bitter craft-style high-strength hoppy north-america strong-ale-family top-fermented

Similar Styles: How to Tell Them Apart

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

These strong American ales overlap in modern hop aroma, firm bitterness, alcohol, and pale-to-copper color. Double IPA is the driest, lightest-bodied, and most hop-dominant; American Strong Ale puts caramel-rich malt and hops into closer balance; American Barleywine is strongest, fullest, richest, and designed for sipping.

Compare with: 22A. Double IPA; 22C. American Barleywine

By aroma

  • American Strong Ale balances medium to high American or New World hops with moderate to bold malt, commonly medium to dark caramel, toffee, toast, or bread.
  • It smells maltier than Double IPA but generally less massive and rich than American Barleywine, with allowable background light chocolate or roast.

By taste

  • American Strong Ale combines medium-high to high bitterness with medium to high malt and hop flavor rather than letting either side dominate completely.
  • Caramel, toffee, dark fruit, bread, or toast give it more body and sweetness than Double IPA.
  • It is generally less strong, less full, and less richly malty than American Barleywine.

Quick tell: Strong American hops balanced by bold caramel-toffee malt indicate American Strong Ale.

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