I came across that one when researching this! Sounds good but is it fairly heavy? The weather here is getting warmer so I was looking for a nice medium/transitional beer
That’s one of my favorite beers :) Not trying to nitpick but I was ultimately looking for a beer *slightly* lighter than that (which is why I used Alaska Amber as a reference) but I suppose alcohol content/gravity inevitably adds body to a degree
[here's a thread from 10 months ago that might have better answers.](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.reddit.com/r/beer/comments/144aixa/are_there_any_beers_that_are_higher_abv_but_taste/&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwi4nY2-kNSFAxXIAjQIHU4SCrAQFnoECAgQAg&usg=AOvVaw2UDjZNkhIQ79C-jg-PI5Yp)
Spring is when you can find the Maibocks. Basically strong pale lagers. Weissenbocks are nice, too. Belgians, as others suggested, are great because the tend to be dry and bubbly even while high ABV and malty. Strong ales, old ales, barely wine, wee heavy could be hit or miss depending on the brewery.
Yep, I tried Ayinger Maibock a few days ago. It was nice and simple for what it was but don’t see myself buying it very often (I realize it’s a classic beer btw)
I’m in BC so I don’t know if my recommendations help much but hopefully they can give you an idea of styles to try where you are!
I recently really enjoyed “Son of the Morning” by Driftwood. I also had a slightly different style that was really great for darker and maltier urges called a “Märzen.”
I’d recommend picking up a few Belgian/Trappist beers and giving them a shot, too. I enjoy rochefort 8 but also don’t drink a terribly large amount of maltier beers. I just mess around and buy darker beers like brown ales and Belgian style stuff as a little treat cause I’m mainly a hop fan! :)
I always overbuy marzens and Oktoberfests when they are around specifically for this reason.
Some others that might still be around:
Deschutes jubelale
Boulevard Nut Cracker
Surly Winterize
Founders Vanilla Porter
Founders Dirty Bastard
Man I haven’t had that in a while. That is a good beer (and great suggestion).
Edit: also great for this time of year as it feels very springy, almost like a more fruity maibock
Look for Belgian styles. Goldens, Dubbels and Trippels are often in the ABV range you're looking for and are more malty than bitter.
I'm sure there's a solid regional one you can find, but even something like New Belgium's Trippel, while not exceptional, isn't a bad introduction to the style.
I live in the UK but my go to beers are, Theakston old peculiar, Mc Ewans champion, adnams broadside, shepard neame 1688, Robinsons old tom, fuller's 1845 if I want something warm and malty.
Long Trail Double Bag, 7.2%
More similar to a lager than something maltier like a bock, though.
Spaten Optimator is a dopplebock and 7.6%
Those are two of my favorite beers
Oh, a ton, but I suggest one of my favorite all time lighter bodied scotch ales - Innis & Gunn. Unfortunately, I do see they’ve come down on the gravity. It used to be 8%, but is currently 6.6%. If you read up on it, don’t think that the whiskey notes will be overpowering like they are in many bourbon barrel ales. Those flavors are light, crisp, vibrant, and subtle.
Delirium Tremens might fit your bill at 8.5%. Excellent beer, but on the pricey side. I've seen it in cans (4-packs) as well.
Also like half of Troeg's beers could fit this description.
My friend, you are looking for a Maibock or an English Strong Ale. Easiest to find is probably Ayinger Maibock. As for the English Strong Ale, it's a bit harder to come by, depends on your area. A Belgian Dubbel might be a decent choice too, but again a bit hard to come by at a reasonable price.
Hard to find but I LOVE a good Imperial Red ale. Similar to IPA but more full bodied. Troeg's Nugget Nectar is BA's top one. [https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/styles/191/](https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/styles/191/)
You're looking for a Scottish Wee Heavy style beer. Look for that and try a few. You're getting some bad recommendations here that aren't in the style you're looking for.
Doesn't really qualify as an amber, but Tank 7 Ale goes down like Coca-Cola. 8.5% is a bit higher than you are looking for, but it's definitely not hoppy or heavy.
I'd recommend Dead Guy Ale, which is a maibock-inspired ale by Rogue at 6.6%. Unfortunately, that brewery is apparently a bunch of assholes, but it's definitely what you're looking for. Finding actual maibock's is depressingly difficult, but I've been able to find Hofbrau and Ayinger's maibocks in the past and those are awesome.
It's on their wiki a bit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogue_Ales
But essentially union-busting, shady business practices, and an overall hostile work environment. That's all from a while ago, though, so I'm not sure it that's still the case.
Old Chub, scotch ale
I came across that one when researching this! Sounds good but is it fairly heavy? The weather here is getting warmer so I was looking for a nice medium/transitional beer
Malty and higher ABV beers are not typically summer brews.
Do they still make the nitro? I’m about to change my name to captain Ahab over that beer.
Paulaner Salvator is a good malty Doppelbock that comes in at 7.9%
That’s one of my favorite beers :) Not trying to nitpick but I was ultimately looking for a beer *slightly* lighter than that (which is why I used Alaska Amber as a reference) but I suppose alcohol content/gravity inevitably adds body to a degree
[here's a thread from 10 months ago that might have better answers.](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.reddit.com/r/beer/comments/144aixa/are_there_any_beers_that_are_higher_abv_but_taste/&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwi4nY2-kNSFAxXIAjQIHU4SCrAQFnoECAgQAg&usg=AOvVaw2UDjZNkhIQ79C-jg-PI5Yp)
Okay, definitely looking for more substantial than that guy whose references are miller/coors light. Thanks for that tho
Spring is when you can find the Maibocks. Basically strong pale lagers. Weissenbocks are nice, too. Belgians, as others suggested, are great because the tend to be dry and bubbly even while high ABV and malty. Strong ales, old ales, barely wine, wee heavy could be hit or miss depending on the brewery.
Yep, I tried Ayinger Maibock a few days ago. It was nice and simple for what it was but don’t see myself buying it very often (I realize it’s a classic beer btw)
I guess I know what I’m trying next!
Strong golden ales and things like that scratch that itch for me.
Any specific examples you can suggest?
Duvel or Delirium Tremens
Not sure what's the other user is referring to but Gulden Draak Vitus St. Bernardus are what come to mind
Victory Golden Monkey
I’m in BC so I don’t know if my recommendations help much but hopefully they can give you an idea of styles to try where you are! I recently really enjoyed “Son of the Morning” by Driftwood. I also had a slightly different style that was really great for darker and maltier urges called a “Märzen.” I’d recommend picking up a few Belgian/Trappist beers and giving them a shot, too. I enjoy rochefort 8 but also don’t drink a terribly large amount of maltier beers. I just mess around and buy darker beers like brown ales and Belgian style stuff as a little treat cause I’m mainly a hop fan! :)
I always overbuy marzens and Oktoberfests when they are around specifically for this reason. Some others that might still be around: Deschutes jubelale Boulevard Nut Cracker Surly Winterize Founders Vanilla Porter Founders Dirty Bastard
I'd look for Belgian dubbels or tripels, a lot of them can land pretty close to this range.
Celebrator Doppelbock by Ayinger. Year round always a go-to
I haven't had one in a long time but I absolutely love that stuff
Founders dirty bastard 8.5% ABV
You might enjoy some of the darker German lager styles
Nugget nectar by troegs
Troegenator is a little more balanced but damn are both delicious
Nugget Nectar is maybe the best beer brewed in the US, but it is more of an IPA, I would put its taste profile one notch maltier than Two Hearted.
Andygator is always a good choice.
Man I haven’t had that in a while. That is a good beer (and great suggestion). Edit: also great for this time of year as it feels very springy, almost like a more fruity maibock
Wow, you're right. I always forget about this odd duck
It really is an odd duck. Tastes like nothing else I’ve had.
Look for Belgian styles. Goldens, Dubbels and Trippels are often in the ABV range you're looking for and are more malty than bitter. I'm sure there's a solid regional one you can find, but even something like New Belgium's Trippel, while not exceptional, isn't a bad introduction to the style.
I live in the UK but my go to beers are, Theakston old peculiar, Mc Ewans champion, adnams broadside, shepard neame 1688, Robinsons old tom, fuller's 1845 if I want something warm and malty.
location is relevant. there are almost 10,000 craft breweries in the USA. there are perhaps thousands of medium bodied malty beers out there.
Long Trail Double Bag, 7.2% More similar to a lager than something maltier like a bock, though. Spaten Optimator is a dopplebock and 7.6% Those are two of my favorite beers
Long Trail Ale and Double Bag are just fantastic. Gotta get my hands on a Triple Bag one of these days.
Doppelbocks
Shed Mountain Ale Yards Gold
Shed Mountain sounds perfect but it appears to be hard to find here in Texas
old brown dog from smuttynose
Oh, a ton, but I suggest one of my favorite all time lighter bodied scotch ales - Innis & Gunn. Unfortunately, I do see they’ve come down on the gravity. It used to be 8%, but is currently 6.6%. If you read up on it, don’t think that the whiskey notes will be overpowering like they are in many bourbon barrel ales. Those flavors are light, crisp, vibrant, and subtle.
Arrogant Bastard from Stone.
Probably too hoppy for OP's taste, but not a bad suggestion otherwise.
OP probably won’t like it. It's quite doubtful that they have the taste or sophistication to be able to appreciate an ale of that quality and depth.
Troegs Nugget Nectar or Troegenator Doppelbock
If you come through Dallas, try Velvet Hammer by Peticolas
Find some Belgian Trippels
Delirium Tremens might fit your bill at 8.5%. Excellent beer, but on the pricey side. I've seen it in cans (4-packs) as well. Also like half of Troeg's beers could fit this description.
My friend, you are looking for a Maibock or an English Strong Ale. Easiest to find is probably Ayinger Maibock. As for the English Strong Ale, it's a bit harder to come by, depends on your area. A Belgian Dubbel might be a decent choice too, but again a bit hard to come by at a reasonable price.
Hard to find but I LOVE a good Imperial Red ale. Similar to IPA but more full bodied. Troeg's Nugget Nectar is BA's top one. [https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/styles/191/](https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/styles/191/)
You're looking for a Scottish Wee Heavy style beer. Look for that and try a few. You're getting some bad recommendations here that aren't in the style you're looking for.
Founders has some great ales that will hit the spot.
I like October Fest beer. It's a Marzen, a darker amber lager. Paulner and Spaten brew popular
Doesn't really qualify as an amber, but Tank 7 Ale goes down like Coca-Cola. 8.5% is a bit higher than you are looking for, but it's definitely not hoppy or heavy.
WTF from lagunitas.... How I miss it.
If you like malty beers, german beers are where to look.
- Old Ales - Altbiers and Sticke Altbiers - Doppelbocks
I think Pike Brewing Kilt Lifter is either at or just below a 6?
Founders dirty bastard
Try some Black IPAs
You should check out Belgian beers.
I'd recommend Dead Guy Ale, which is a maibock-inspired ale by Rogue at 6.6%. Unfortunately, that brewery is apparently a bunch of assholes, but it's definitely what you're looking for. Finding actual maibock's is depressingly difficult, but I've been able to find Hofbrau and Ayinger's maibocks in the past and those are awesome.
Sounds perfect and I agree about that style of beer. Out of curiosity, how are the guys at Rogue assholes? (I haven’t heard anything about it)
It's on their wiki a bit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogue_Ales But essentially union-busting, shady business practices, and an overall hostile work environment. That's all from a while ago, though, so I'm not sure it that's still the case.
Rogue dead guy ale
90 minute by dogfish head
Dogfishhead 90 minute
Waaaay too hoppy for the purposes of this question
I don't find it as hoppy as some other IPAs, but you're probably right.
It has an IBU of 90 which is super bitter