Why aren't American Ambers more popular?

[petep1980]

I swear the only AA I ever see is Bud American Ale. Everything else is either an IPA, or a pale ale with out the hops.

Can someone explain this to me? I know TONS of us make them. It's probably my favorite style to make.

 

[dwarven_stout]

Anderson Valley Boont Amber.

The discussion pretty much begins and ends there for me.

 

[FreakinA]

What is Arrogant Bastard Technically? If its this style then its popular with me and likely will be my next brew prototype. However I would do it with Magnum, Cascade, Amarillo, and Tettnanger.

 

[Dougan]

It seems like there's a lot of discussion regarding what an American Amber is. How strong should the hop aroma be? How malty should it be? There are BJCP guidelines, but this doesn't necessarily mean there's agreement. Take a comparison between Red Seal and Rogue's St. Rogue Red. Both can be called an American Amber.

Bottom line, for me, APA and American Amber overlap quite a bit. And I think if I had something that landed in that overlap area, I'd call it an American Pale Ale, because so many people think so many things about American Amber that APA would be more descriptive.

 

[Beerrific]

North Coast Red Seal
Bell's Amber

But, yeah, they are somewhat harder to find.

It seems like there's a lot of discussion regarding what an American Amber is. How strong should the hop aroma be? How malty should it be? There are BJCP guidelines, but this doesn't necessarily mean there's agreement. Take a comparison between Red Seal and Rogue's St. Rogue Red. Both can be called an American Amber.

Bottom line, for me, APA and American Amber overlap quite a bit. And I think if I had something that landed in that overlap area, I'd call it an American Pale Ale, because so many people think so many things about American Amber that APA would be more descriptive.

Really they can range from a darker APA or even with less hops. I like them a lot, but I like them to be amber, malty, and hoppy like IPA strength (Red Rocket).

 

[Scimmia]

I swear the only AA I ever see is Bud American Ale.

Since when is Bud American Ale an American Amber? Maybe that's why you're not seeing them?

I don't care what they call it, it ain't an Amber in my book.

 

[FreakinA]

I thought amber was a style based on the SRMs of the beer. A pale ale with crystal in it is what I thought Palmer broke it down as.

 

[dunnright00]

Alaskan Amber is one of my favorites beers period.

 

[MultumInParvo]

North Coast Red Seal
Bell's Amber.

Good call on the Bell's Amber. I've only had it once, unfortunately, but I really liked it. It wasn't a knock your socks off beer, but very solid all around.

I'd be happy with more ambers in the world.

 

[arturo7]

What is Arrogant Bastard Technically?

I can't claim deep knowledge of the guidelines, but I think A. Bastard would definitely qualify.

 

[Malticulous]

Amber overlaps APA like APA does a Blond. The biggest differences are body and malt flavor color just comes with it.

 

[dbowdit16]

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned Fat Tire. That seems to be a wildy popular Amber Ale. They've even started canning it.

 

[bbrim]

How about Fat Tire?

 

[deremer]

I would second Alaskan Amber. When I lived in Sitka this beer was extremely popular. It was served at every restaurant in town and every bar had it on tap. I enjoyed it very much and wish I could find some here.

 

[arturo7]

Isn't Alaskan Amber an alt?

 

[david_42]

Properly done, an amber is distinct from an APA, more malt, less hops. Most of the time, you just get a slightly darker APA, so why bother?

 

[mkorpal]

I can't claim deep knowledge of the guidelines, but I think A. Bastard would definitely qualify.

I believe A bastard is too high in gravity to be called an amber. I believe it falls into the American strong ale category.

 

[Martin2D]

I can't claim deep knowledge of the guidelines, but I think A. Bastard would definitely qualify.

Arrogant Bastard in the craft world is classified as an "American Strong Ale."

 

[Yooper]

I thought amber was a style based on the SRMs of the beer. A pale ale with crystal in it is what I thought Palmer broke it down as.

I use the BJCP guidelines on beer styles. They're pretty complete. Here's the description of AAA:

10B. American Amber Ale
Aroma: Low to moderate hop aroma from dry hopping or late kettle additions of American hop varieties. A citrusy hop character is common, but not required. Moderately low to moderately high maltiness balances and sometimes masks the hop presentation, and usually shows a moderate caramel character. Esters vary from moderate to none. No diacetyl.

Appearance: Amber to coppery brown in color. Moderately large off-white head with good retention. Generally quite clear, although dry-hopped versions may be slightly hazy.

Flavor: Moderate to high hop flavor from American hop varieties, which often but not always has a citrusy quality. Malt flavors are moderate to strong, and usually show an initial malty sweetness followed by a moderate caramel flavor (and sometimes other character malts in lesser amounts). Malt and hop bitterness are usually balanced and mutually supportive. Fruity esters can be moderate to none. Caramel sweetness and hop flavor/bitterness can linger somewhat into the medium to full finish. No diacetyl.

Mouthfeel: Medium to medium-full body. Carbonation moderate to high. Overall smooth finish without astringency often associated with high hopping rates. Stronger versions may have a slight alcohol warmth.

Overall Impression: Like an American pale ale with more body, more caramel richness, and a balance more towards malt than hops (although hop rates can be significant).

Comments: Can overlap in color with American pale ales. However, American amber ales differ from American pale ales not only by being usually darker in color, but also by having more caramel flavor, more body, and usually being balanced more evenly between malt and bitterness. Should not have a strong chocolate or roast character that might suggest an American brown ale (although small amounts are OK).

History: Known simply as Red Ales in some regions, these beers were popularized in the hop-loving Northern California and the Pacific Northwest areas before spreading nationwide.

Ingredients: Pale ale malt, typically American two-row. Medium to dark crystal malts. May also contain specialty grains which add additional character and uniqueness. American hops, often with citrusy flavors, are common but others may also be used. Water can vary in sulfate and carbonate content.

Commercial Examples: North Coast Red Seal Ale, Tröegs HopBack Amber Ale, Deschutes Cinder Cone Red, Pyramid Broken Rake, St. Rogue Red Ale, Anderson Valley Boont Amber Ale, Lagunitas Censored Ale, Avery Redpoint Ale, McNeill’s Firehouse Amber Ale, Mendocino Red Tail Ale, Bell's Amber

 

[Scooby_Brew]

Isn't Fat Tire an Amber? And how about Saint Rouge?

 

[blackwaterbrewer]

nectar red ale and fat tire are two world class beers of the amber ale category.

 

[humann_brewing]

Isn't Alaskan Amber an alt?

Yes, yes it is, from http://www.alaskanbeer.com/amber.html


Alaskan Amber
Style:
Alt. The name of this beer style comes from the German word "alt" meaning "old". This refers to the aging that alts undergo since they ferment more slowly and at colder temperatures than most ales. Slow fermentation helps condition the flavors in Alaskan Amber, contributing to its overall balance and smoothness.

 

[humann_brewing]

Isn't Fat Tire an Amber? And how about Saint Rouge?

St Rogue is a Red,

I really like Rogues American Amber, probably because it has 53 IBUs though.

 

[Revvy]

Like yooper showed there are plenty amber ales commercial available. I am drinking one of my favorites, Bell's Amber right as I type.

And there's 60 commercial versions listed and rated on beeradvcate http://beeradvocate.com/beer/style/128

SO there's no dearth of ambers out there.

 

[Scooby_Brew]

St Rogue is a Red .

St Rogue is listed on the BJCP page as a commercial example of an American Amber. And isn't amber ale = red ale anyways?

 

[petep1980]

Bell's Amber is not available in NY according to their website.

 

[Revvy]

Bell's Amber is not available in NY according to their website.

Too bad, to me it;s the quintessential example of the style, but that's just my opinion. Maybe because it was the first version I ever tasted and it tainted by opinion.

Look and see if Bell's "Big porch ale" is available, it's pretty much the same beer repackaged to market the Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island. It may be available in NY under that name.

If not I have a simple extract clone recipe for it I came up with years ago, that although it is a tad darker than the original, tastes spot on.

 

[Yooper]

St Rogue is listed on the BJCP page as a commercial example of an American Amber. And isn't amber ale = red ale anyways?

Yes, another name for an American red ale is American amber ale.

 

[Xakk]

I believe Lagunitas Censored Ale is an American Amber. At least that what it looks and tastes like to me. Their Lucky 13 could be considered an Imperial Amber, if there is such a thing.

 

[UncleDave]

I know this is more of a regional brand, but Highland Brewing in Asheville produces an American Amber known as Gaelic Ale. It is their best-selling beer and I would argue, their flagship recipe. If you get a chance, try it out.