·Dry Lager
This straw-colored lager lacks sweetness and is reminiscent of an American-style Light Lager. However, its starting gravity and alcoholic strength are greater. Hop rates are low, and carbonation is high. Chill haze, fruity esters and diacetyl should be absent.
Award Winning Beers
Lite Ice & Icehouse (Miller Brewing), Olympia Dry (Pabst Brewing), Esquire Extra Dry (Jones Brewing), Keystone Dry & Coors Dry (Coors Brewing), Michelob Dry (Anheuser-Busch Inc.), Stoney's Extra Dry (Jones Brewing)
Original Gravity (°Plato): 1.040- 1.050 (10- 12.5 °Plato)
Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (°Plato): 1.010 - 1.014 (2.5 - 3.5 °Plato)
Alcohol by weight (volume): 3.6- 4% (4.3 - 5%)
Bitterness (IBU) (13 - 23)
Color SRM (EBC): 2 - 8 (4 - 16 EBC)
·American Malt Liquor
There seems to be much confusion with respect to the difference between Malt Liquors and malt beverages. Malt Liquor is really just a marketing term used to describe a category of beers that could be described as fortified American Lager. All Malt Liquors are also malt beverages as they include malted barley in their ingredients. In many states in the USA any malted beverage over 4% alcohol by volume can't be labeled as "beer". As these beers do not fit under any of the other stronger style definitions, the term "Malt Liquor" was coined. They are brewed with more adjuncts such as corn and rice, and more cheap fermentables such as various non malted barley sugars. Although malted barely and hops are used, the quantities employed are much less than those found in many quality styles.
The bottom line is cheaply produced, high octane rocket fuel. High in starting gravity and alcoholic strength, this style is somewhat diverse. Some American Malt Liquors are just slightly stronger than American Lagers, while others approach Bock strength. Some residual sweetness is perceived. Hop rates are very low, contributing little bitterness and virtually no hop aroma or flavor. Chill haze, diacetyl and fruity esters should not be perceived.
Award Winning Beers
Old English 800 (Pabst Brewing), King Cobra (Anheuser-Busch Inc.), Silver Thunder Malt Liquor (Stroh Brewing), Colt 45 Malt Liquor (Coors Brewing), Mickey's Malt Liquor (G. Heilman Brewing), Magnum (Miller Brewing), Pigs Eye Ice (Minnesota Brewing Co.), Colt Ice (Carling National Brewing), Schlitz Malt Liquor (Joseph Schlitz Brewing), Laser (Specialty Brewing Co. )
Original Gravity (°Plato): 1.050- 1.060 (12.5- 15 °Plato)
Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (°Plato): 1.004 - 1.010 (1 - 2.5 °Plato)
Alcohol by weight (volume): 5- 6% (6.25 - 7.5%)
Bitterness (IBU) (12 - 23)
Color SRM (EBC): 2 - 5 (4 - 8 EBC)
·American Amber Lager
American Amber Lagers are amber, reddish-brown or copper colored. They are medium bodied. There is a noticeable degree of caramel-type malt character in flavor and often in aroma. This is a broad category in which the hop bitterness, flavor and aroma may be accentuated or may only be present at relatively low levels, yet noticeable. Fruity esters, diacetyl and chill haze should be absent.
Original Gravity (°Plato): 1.042- 1.056 (10.5- 14 °Plato)
Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (°Plato): 1.010 - 1.018 (2.5 - 4.5 °Plato)
Alcohol by weight (volume): 3.8- 4.3% (4.8 - 5.4%)
Bitterness (IBU) (20 - 30)
Color SRM (EBC): 6 - 12 (15 - 30 EBC)
·American Dark Lager
This beer's maltiness is less pronounced and its body is light. Non-malt adjuncts are often used, and hop rates are low. Hop bitterness flavor and aroma are low. Carbonation is high and more typical of an American Light Lager than a Classic Dark Lager. Fruity esters, diacetyl an chill haze should not be perceived.
Award Winning Beers
Red Wolf & Michelob Classic Dark (Anheuser-Busch Inc.), Dixie Blackened Voodoo Lager (Dixie Brewing), Pigs Eye Red Amber Ale (Minnesota Brewing), Hefe Dunkel (Saxer Brewing), Denargo Lager (Tabernash Brewing), Lowenbrau Dark (Miller Brewing), Bergoff Dark (Joseph Huber Brewing), Henry Weinhard's Dark Beer (Blitz-Weinhard Brewing), Schwarz Hacker (Rock Bottom Brewing), Neuweiler Black & Tan (Neuweiler Brewing)
Original Gravity (°Plato): 1.040- 1.050 (10 - 12.5 °Plato)
Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (°Plato): 1.008 - 1.012 (2 - 3 °Plato)
Alcohol by weight (volume): 3.2 - 4.4% (4 - 5.5%)
Bitterness (IBU) (14 - 20)
Color SRM (EBC): 10 - 20 (25 - 80 EBC)
