Malt aroma & flavor
Low to medium candy-like caramel malt sweetness should be present in flavor. A toasted malt character should be present, and there may be a slight roast barley or roast malt presence.
Irish Origin Ale Styles
Irish-Style Red Ale
Ale · Copper-red to reddish-brown
What to expect
Low to medium candy-like caramel malt sweetness should be present in flavor.
Reading guide · The complete guideline attributes below preserve the source’s qualifications.Color · SRM
11–18
Pale / strawBlack
Copper-red to reddish-brown · Illustrative colors on the shared, uneven SRM scale.
Explore styles overlapping this color rangeAlcohol · ABV
4.0–4.8%
Reference scale, not a limit on official guideline values.
Bitterness · IBU
20–28
Measured bitterness; perceived bitterness is described in the guideline below.
Brewers Association 2026 · Printed guideline page 7 · PDF page 16. Color graphics are illustrative.
The guideline, in detail
Official style attributes, including what may be present and what should be absent.
Hop aroma & flavor
Not present to medium
Perceived bitterness
Medium
Body & mouthfeel
Medium
Clarity
Chill haze or yeast haze may be present at low levels
Color
Copper-red to reddish-brown
Fermentation characteristics
Low level fruity esters are acceptable. Diacetyl is usually absent in these beers but may be present at very low levels.
Technical specifications, including gravity
Original Gravity (°Plato) 1.040-1.048 (10-11.9 °Plato) • Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (°Plato) 1.010- 1.014 (2.6-3.6 °Plato) • Alcohol by Weight (Volume) 3.2%-3.8% (4.0%-4.8%) • Hop Bitterness (IBU) 20-28 • Color SRM (EBC) 11-18 (22-36 EBC)