Malt aroma & flavor
Medium-high to high maltiness with low to medium caramel character
North American Origin Ale Styles
American-Style Amber/Red Ale
Ale · Amber to reddish-brown
What to expect
Medium-high to high maltiness with low to medium caramel character
Reading guide · The complete guideline attributes below preserve the source’s qualifications.Color · SRM
8–18
Pale / strawBlack
Amber to reddish-brown · Illustrative colors on the shared, uneven SRM scale.
Explore styles overlapping this color rangeAlcohol · ABV
4.4–6.1%
Reference scale, not a limit on official guideline values.
Bitterness · IBU
25–45
Measured bitterness; perceived bitterness is described in the guideline below.
Brewers Association 2026 · Printed guideline page 9 · PDF page 18. Color graphics are illustrative.
The guideline, in detail
Official style attributes, including what may be present and what should be absent.
Hop aroma & flavor
Low to medium-low, exhibiting a wide range of attributes
Perceived bitterness
Medium to medium-high
Body & mouthfeel
Medium to medium-high
Clarity
Chill haze is acceptable at low temperatures
Color
Amber to reddish-brown
Fermentation characteristics
Fruity esters, if present, are low.
Technical specifications, including gravity
Original Gravity (°Plato) 1.048-1.058 (11.9-14.3 °Plato) • Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (°Plato) 1.010-1.018 (2.5-4.6 °Plato) • Alcohol by Weight (Volume) 3.5%-4.8% (4.4%-6.1%) • Hop Bitterness (IBU) 25-45 • Color SRM (EBC) 8-18 (16-36 EBC)