Strong British Ale

Recipes:
10,352
BJCP 2021:
17

Profile

The Strong British Ale category comprises a range of robust ale styles from the United Kingdom that are known for their significant alcohol strength and rich, complex flavors. The beers within this category typically showcase a variety of malt profiles, ranging from deep caramel to toasty biscuit notes, often with hints of dark fruit or molasses. These malty characteristics are usually balanced by a moderate to low hop presence, which can provide an earthy or herbal counterpoint but rarely dominates the flavor profile.

Each style in this category has its unique attributes: British Strong Ales are often less sweet and more hop-forward than their counterparts; Old Ales feature oxidative notes such as sherry-like flavors reflecting more extended aging; while the Wee Heavy concentrates on showcasing rich maltiness with minimal hop influence.

Distinctive from lighter British session ales or the roasted flavors of British Stouts and Porters, Strong British Ales focus on delivering warming alcohol content paired with a full-bodied experience that highlights the artful use of malts. Differentiating themselves also from similarly Strong Belgian Ales, these beers lack the signature Belgian yeast character and instead lean towards a more straightforward fermentation profile allowing the ingredients to take center stage.

Distinct beer styles within this category:

Specifications

Alcohol

In Database
5.1 < 7.7 < 12.1 %

Bitterness

In Database
16 < 34 < 70 IBU

Color

In Database
14 < 35 < 52 EBC
7 < 18 < 26 SRM

Original Extract

In Database
12.8 < 19.0 < 27.9 °P
1.052 < 1.079 < 1.121 OG

Final Gravity

In Database
2.5 < 5.1 < 8.3 °P
1.010 < 1.020 < 1.033 FG

Popularity Over Time

Most Used Yeasts

Most Used Hops

Dosage of Hops

Hop Pairings

Brewing Recipes