Craft amber beers and their malty secrets
IPAs make noise, Stouts command respect... and amber beers, on the other hand, advance discreetly. Not the type to shout from the rooftops, they prefer to let the malt do the talking. An old-school style? Perhaps. But beneath its quiet airs, it hides an unsuspected depth.
What makes amber beers so charming is the richness that reveals itself gently . A coppery color that catches the light, aromas of caramel, toast, sometimes a hint of hazelnut or dried fruit. No frills, just taste and a well-thought-out balance between sweetness and bitterness.
What Defines a Craft Amber Beer
A unique spectrum of colors and flavors
It all starts with the color. A golden blond? Too pale. A deep brown? Too dark. Amber plays on coppery, sometimes red highlights, a nuance that announces the warmth and generosity of the malt . And it is confirmed at first contact: notes of caramel that come to tickle the nose, toast, a hint of hazelnut, and sometimes that little something that recalls honey or dried fruits.
But be careful, just because it is malty does not necessarily mean it is heavy or sweet. It is all a question of balance. A good craft beer like Embuscade knows how to handle malts with precision, using Caramünch in particular to obtain this beautiful roundness in the mouth, while maintaining a discreet bitterness that cuts short any temptation of softness.
The essential role of malts in the profile of amber beers
Signature malts and their impact
If hops are the rock star of IPAs, then malt is the brewmaster behind the scenes, the one that builds the entire backbone of a beer . In amber beers, it’s not just a supporting role; it’s the star. It’s the one that determines the color, the texture, and those unique flavors that make all the difference.
The malts that make all the difference
Caramünch malt, which is found in particular in the Stirling , brings those notes of lightly toasted caramel that give their pleasant roundness. Munich goes further: it reinforces the structure of the beer with a touch of baked bread and cereals, while boosting the color. And then there are those special little malts, like the Biscuit found in Estafette , which adds a hint of hazelnut or golden bread crust.
Of course, it's all about the dosage . Too much of these malts and the beer becomes a liquid pudding. Not enough, and you end up with something tasteless. It's this clever balance that makes all the magic of good amber beers: they know how to be rich without being overwhelming, warm without being stifling.
Amber beers today: between tradition and renewal
A timeless style that reinvents itself
Amber beers are a bit like the "old school cool" style of craft brewing. Historically, they have solid roots: German Altbier, Irish Red Ale, abbey beers... Recipes that have spanned the centuries, proving that malt doesn't need gimmicks to shine.
New trends in craft brewing
What's changing? The bolder use of hops . While classic amber beers rely almost exclusively on malt, some modern versions like Embuscade incorporate aromatic hops to bring a little fruity or resinous touch. The result? Beers that retain their warm base but with an extra dynamism in the mouth.
The experiments also extend to yeasts and barrel aging. Amber beers that ferment with more expressive yeasts to achieve new aromas, or that spend a few months in barrels to gain complexity.
Conclusion
Long in the shadow of IPAs and Stouts, amber beers are making a comeback thanks to craft breweries that dare to revisit them without betraying their essence. Neither too light nor too intense, they offer a balanced and nuanced experience , ideal for those looking for something other than a beer that hits hard in hops or roasting.
Ultimately, amber beers are a bit like a good cult album: not always at the top of the charts, but a timeless classic that we enjoy rediscovering again and again.
