Malt aroma & flavor
Medium to medium-high. Malt sweetness, chocolate and caramel should contribute to the aroma and should dominate the flavor profile. Roast flavor may be present. Low to medium-low roasted malt-derived bitterness should be present.
British Origin Ale Styles
Sweet Stout or Cream Stout
Ale · Black
What to expect
Malt character: Medium to medium-high. Hop character: Should not be present.
Reading guide · The complete guideline attributes below preserve the source’s qualifications.Color · SRM
40+
›
Pale / strawBlack
Black · Illustrative colors on the shared, uneven SRM scale.
Explore styles overlapping this color rangeAlcohol · ABV
3.2–6.3%
Reference scale, not a limit on official guideline values.
Bitterness · IBU
15–25
Measured bitterness; perceived bitterness is described in the guideline below.
Brewers Association 2026 · Printed guideline page 5 · PDF page 14. Color graphics are illustrative.
The guideline, in detail
Official style attributes, including what may be present and what should be absent.
Hop aroma & flavor
Should not be present
Perceived bitterness
Low to medium-low and serves to balance and suppress some of the sweetness without contributing apparent flavor and aroma
Body & mouthfeel
Full-bodied. Body can be increased with the addition of milk sugar (lactose).
Clarity
Opaque
Color
Black
Fermentation characteristics
Fruity esters, if present, are low. Diacetyl should not be present.
Technical specifications, including gravity
Original Gravity (°Plato) 1.045-1.056 (11.2-13.8 °Plato) • Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (°Plato) 1.012-1.020 (3.1-5.1 °Plato) • Alcohol by Weight (Volume) 2.5%-5.0% (3.2%-6.3%) • Hop Bitterness (IBU) 15-25 • Color SRM (EBC) 40+ (80+ EBC)