The Color of Beer
Beer comes in an array of colors from light to dark. Most of us use the terms yellow, amber, brown, or black to identify a beer’s shade but professional brewers use an SRM number value, or Standard Reference Method, to specify color to fit within beer style guidelines. To find SRM, a photometer is used to measure the amount of light that can get through 1 cm of beer. The scale ranges from 1 to 40+ with Pilsners around 2 SRM, Bocks and Ambers close to 18, and deep dark Oatmeal Stouts and Baltic Porters in the 30 range.
Because a beer is light in color doesn’t mean it will be lacking flavor, and because a beer is dark, doesn’t mean that its heavy in texture or mouthfeel. Malted barley is the number one influencer on your beer’s color and is made from a grain that has been soaked, germinated (sprouted) then kiln dried. Malt can be derived from various grains such as wheat, corn, or rice; however, whole-grain barley is used most in brewing and is generally categorized as base or specialty.
Mixing and matching a variety malt will lead to different flavors, styles, and colors. Base malt is lightly kilned and has subtle flavors and color. Examples of base malt are Pilsner Malt, Pale Malt, and Rye Malt. Specialty malt has a longer kilning process and imparts more complex flavors and a variety of colors. Examples of specialty malt are Caramel/Crystal which have an added kilning step called stewing to caramelize and add color and Roasted/Chocolate malts are heated and finished in a roasting drum (like the ones you’d use for coffee) to get the darkest color malt with flavors of chocolate, smoke, and even burnt toast.
The best way to find your next favorite beer style without judging a beer by its color, is by ordering a flight or sample tray. Close your eyes and have your friends or beertender switch up your beers. Give them a swirl, sniff, take a small sip, and swallow. Which flavors can you taste? Does it match up with its color?
Have more questions about brewing ingredients? Cozy up at the bar with brewer, Alex, next time you in our Taproom. He’s a wealth of knowledge and loves talking SRM!
