How To Make Beer – American Style Amber Ale

Background

American Style Amber Ale belongs to the contemporary style of Pale ales which is also known in North America as Red Ale. Ambers eventually became a popular beverage in brewpubs all over America. This type of beer is popular for its rich taste, medium to full body and smooth finish. It is usually moderately hopped with American hops and typically brewed using American two row pale malt as the base.

Description

American Amber Ale is often characterized by its light copper to light brown in color and caramelly flavor derived from medium to dark crystal malts. Alcohol by volume (ABV) typically ranges from 5-6% with 30-40 bitterness (IBU).  This malt extract homebrewing recipe makes 5 gallons of American Style Amber Ale. A range of homemade variations may be possible for this style of beer.

Ingredients

Homebrewing Instructions

Step 1

In a brew pot, steep milled grains at 150^oF for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, take your unhopped malt extract and soak it in warm water.

Step 2

After 30 minutes, remove the grains, then add two more gallons of water and bring to boil. After 5 minutes, add the malt extract and stir constantly until it has completely dissolved.

Step 3

As soon as you observe a light rolling boiling, add the bittering hops, let them cook for 45 minutes. After 45 minutes, add the aroma and flavoring hops and cook for 15 minutes more. After the total of 60 minutes of boiling, remove the pot from heat.

Step 4

Cool the wort as quickly as possible to a low temperature. You can cool your wort in 2 ways. First, by using a copper wort chiller and second, by immersing the pot into a sink or tub filled with ice water.  Meanwhile, pour the yeast to 1 cup of warm water, cover with a plastic wrap for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, gently stir the yeast/water mixture and let it stay for another 15 minutes.

Step 5

Now that your wort has been cooled to 80 degrees, it is ready to be poured into the fermenter using a strainer and a hop bag. Add additional water in the fermenter to bring the total volume to 5 gallons. Ideally, spring water or carbon filtered water would make the best water for this type of beer.

Step 6

Now, pour the yeast into the fermenter in a circular motion, once done, immediately cover it with the lid or plug up the carboy then store it in a cool dark location with 65-75 degrees temperature and let it sit for one week. Fermentation takes place within 12-24 hours after pitching the yeast. This will continue for about 4-5 days. You can check if the primary fermentation is complete when the activity on the airlock has slowed down.

Step 7

Rack into the secondary fermenter (glass carboy) for another one week.

Step 8

Prime with 3/4 cup corn sugar and bottle.  Condition in bottle for at least 2 weeks and enjoy your own homemade American Style Amber Ale.