Malt aroma & flavor
Residual malt sweetness is low to medium. Torrified or malted wheat is often used in quantities of 25 percent or less. Malt attributes such as biscuity or low levels of caramel are present.
British Origin Ale Styles
English-Style Summer Ale
Ale · Straw to gold
What to expect
Malt character: Residual malt sweetness is low to medium. Hop character: Low to medium, expressed as floral, herbal, earthy, stone fruit, citrus or other attributes. Hop flavor should not be assertive and should be well balanced with malt character.
Reading guide · The complete guideline attributes below preserve the source’s qualifications.Color · SRM
3–6
Pale / strawBlack
Straw to gold · Illustrative colors on the shared, uneven SRM scale.
Explore styles overlapping this color rangeAlcohol · ABV
3.7–5.1%
Reference scale, not a limit on official guideline values.
Bitterness · IBU
20–30
Measured bitterness; perceived bitterness is described in the guideline below.
Brewers Association 2026 · Printed guideline page 3 · PDF page 12. 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, expressed as floral, herbal, earthy, stone fruit, citrus or other attributes. Hop flavor should not be assertive and should be well balanced with malt character.
Perceived bitterness
Medium-low to medium
Body & mouthfeel
Low to medium-low
Clarity
Chill haze is acceptable at low temperatures
Color
Straw to gold
Fermentation characteristics
Mild carbonation traditionally characterizes draft-cask versions, but in bottled versions, a slight increase in carbon dioxide content is acceptable. Fruity esters are low to medium. Diacetyl and DMS should not be present.
Additional guideline notes & competition context
The overall impression is refreshing and thirst quenching
Technical specifications, including gravity
Original Gravity (°Plato) 1.036-1.050 (9-12.4 °Plato) • Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (°Plato) 1.006- 1.012 (1.5-3.1 °Plato) • Alcohol by Weight (Volume) 2.9%-4.0% (3.7%-5.1%) • Hop Bitterness (IBU) 20-30 • Color SRM (EBC) 3-6 (6-12 EBC)