How To British Strong Ale: The Regel Crown Jewel of Ales
British Strong Ale is somewhere between an English Pale ale and an English Barleywine. There are very few examples out there that can be found today in the United States.
If you are lucky enough to find an example of a nice British Strong ale, it is probably a seasonal or limited release.
As per the BJCP Guidelines, British Strone ales are historical recreations with some descending from older styles such as Burton ales. With the high alcohol level, the British Strong ale is almost certainly a modern British category.
This rich and complex beer blends a bold mix of malt, fruity esters and flavors. The hop presence of an English Strong ale can be mildly bitter.
Driven by a more specialty malt character and less noticeable hop presence, than the American Strong ale. If this beer is brewed, it is usually aged in barrels to give the beer a more complex character.
English Strong ales are usually unfiltered and/or bottles conditioned. They range in color from amber to copper. English Strong ales usually have an ABV ranging from 6-11%. This beer is best when served in a snifter or an English pint glass at a cool temperature.
Style Profile for British Strong Ale
Aroma
The aroma is malty-sweet with fruity esters, a complex array of dried fruit, caramel, nuts, toffee, and/or specialty malt aroma. Some alcohol notes are acceptable, but should never be perceived as “hot.”
Hop aroma can be earthy, resiny, fruity, with some floral notes. A nice blend of malt, fruit, hops, and alcohol in various intensity.
Appearance
The color should be gold to dark reddish-brown. Clear, although darker versions may be almost opaque. Moderate to low cream – to light tan-colored head. The head retention is average.
Flavor
Medium to high malt character with a nutty, toffee or caramel-like flavors. Light chocolate notes sometimes found in darker beers. Balance is often malty but may be well hopped. Moderate fruity esters are common with some dark fruit notes.
The beer may finish dry to a little sweet. Alcohol strength should be noticable, but never overwhelming. Diacetyl is low to none and is not very desirable in this style.
Mouthfeel
Medium to full mouthfeel with a “chewy” body. Alcohol warmth is often noticeable and actually welcoming. Low to moderate carbonation with a smoothness.
Food Pairing
With a smooth and creamy mouthfeel, English Strong ales pair well with roasted or grilled lamb, beef, or salmon.
Tips for Brewing your own British Strong Ale
Grain
Since the style is a traditional English style, British pale malt would be appropriate. Maris Otter is a solid choice. As specialty malts go, start off with some British Crystal 45. This will give the beer a pretty decent toffee and toasty background.
As for the dark malts, consider the following: chocolate malt and black malt. Avoid roasted character in this style. These malts will give the beer the nice dark color you are looking for in this style.
A touch of flaked barley, maize, or whear will give you some nice added graininess to the beer and help with the roundness of the beer. To dry out the beer some and give it some extra gravity numbers, consider adding sugar.
Hops
English hops such as Fuggle, Challenger, and East Kent Goldings, should be considered when brewing an Foreign Extra stout.
The hops will be used for bittering and then also a later addition should be added for aroma.
Yeast
London Ale Wyeast #1082 and Ringwood Ale Wyeast #1187 would be good choices.
Also, look for yeast that produce interesting fruity esters to pair well with the style. Follow the temperature recommendations with any yeast that you pick.
British Strong Ale the By the Numbers
- Color Range: 8 – 22 SRM
- Original Gravity: 1.055 – 1.080 OG
- Final Gravity: 1.015 – 1.022 FG
- IBU Range: 30 – 60
- ABV Range: 5.5 – 8.0%
British Strong Ale Recipe
Grain
- 72% 10 lbs Maris Otter
- 4 % 8 oz Amber Malt
- 4% 8 oz Aromatic Malt
- 4 % 8 oz Flaked Barley
- 4 % 8 oz Crystal 45
Hops
- 2 oz Fuggle – Boil 60 min
- 1 oz East Kent Goldings – Boil 5min
Yeast
- 1.0 pkg London ESB Ale Wyeast Labs #1968
Directions
- Mash at 152°F (66°C) for 60 mins
- Boil for 60 mins
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Frequently Asked Questions
What distinguishes a British Strong Ale from other English Ales?
A British Strong Ale is characterized by its higher alcohol content and robust flavor compared to other English ales.
This particular variety leans towards a fuller-bodied experience with a rich malty sweetness, often accompanied by a complex blend of fruity and sometimes toasty or nutty notes.
While other English ales, such as the English Pale Ale, are more hop-forward and lighter in both color and alcohol content, the British Strong Ale offers a hearty and traditionally warming beverage, true to the strong ales UK pubs have cherished for centuries.
How does the English Ale Recipe provided compare to traditional British Strong Ale recipes?
The English Ale Recipe provided follows the traditional ethos of British Strong Ale recipes, focusing on a malt-forward profile with moderate hopping.
The use of English malts and hops in the recipe helps in creating a brew that is reminiscent of the strong ales enjoyed across the UK. However, every brewer might have their personal tweaks to the traditional recipes to suit their taste or the preferences of their audience.
The essence of a strong traditional ale is well-captured in the given recipe, providing a solid foundation for those looking to explore the rich tradition of strong English beer brewing.
Is there a significant difference between the English Strong Ale and the British Strong Ale?
While the terms English Strong Ale and British Strong Ale are often used interchangeably, they essentially refer to the same category of strong ales originating from the UK.
Both terms encapsulate the tradition of brewing strong, malt-forward ales that have been a staple in British pubs for ages.
The nuances might come from regional brewing traditions within the UK, but broadly, whether termed as English or British, these strong ales share a common heritage and core brewing philosophy.
Can I adapt the British Strong Ale Recipe for an English Pale Ale Recipe?
Absolutely. The British Strong Ale recipe can be adapted to craft an English Pale Ale by scaling down the malt bill to achieve a lower alcohol content, and adjusting the hop levels to attain a more balanced or even hop-forward character typical of English Pale Ales.
You might also consider using a different yeast strain more suited to an English Pale Ale. It’s a wonderful exploration of how versatile English ale recipes can be, allowing for a spectrum of flavors and strengths within the same brewing tradition.
Are there any other variations of Strong Ale Recipes?
Yes, there are numerous variations of strong ale recipes reflecting the rich brewing traditions from around the world.
For instance, there’s the American Strong Ale, which often has a higher hop bitterness compared to its British counterpart.
Belgian Strong Ales are another fascinating variant, known for their complex fruity and spicy character along with a potent alcohol strength. Each brewing tradition brings its unique twist to the strong ale, creating a world of flavors and aromas for brewers and enthusiasts to explore.
Former President of my homebrew club, Plainfield Ale and Lager Enthusiasts (PALE) in the western suburbs of Chicago, IL. I brew on my BIAB system with my incredibly patient and understanding wife, adorable 9 year old daughter, and 12 year old brew dog.
