Malty beer is a richly flavored, exceptionally popular type of beer that you can find at the best Seattle breweries. Although there are all different riffs on malty beverages, most of these types of beers have a few similar flavors. So don't be surprised if you pick up some of these common tastes next time you sip on a beer that's malty.
What Flavors Can You Find in a Malty Beer at Seattle Breweries?
Grain
Grain is a very common flavor in beers that are malty. It usually comes across as a cereal or corn-like flavor. Beer enthusiasts tend to refer to this flavor as "husky," and it's a result of how long the beer remained in its mash cycle. Although grain is a background flavor for a lot of different types of beers, it tends to be more prominent in maltier ones.
Nuts
One of the best aspects of these types of beers is the deep, rich nutty flavors that come through with each sip. The nutty flavor gives the beer tremendous body and character, layering well with other flavors for a truly unique experience. Most of the time, these flavors come from the type of malt that the brewery uses. Chocolate, Munich, and Victory malts will give your beer that coveted nutty flavor.
Nuts also come through on the nose of malty beers, adding to the experience substantially. If you want to try out a malty, nutty beer, look for ones with "nut-brown in the description."
Toffee
Toffee gives these types of beer their traditional sweetness. Sometimes malty beverages have just a hint of toffee that pops up on the nose of a beer. Other times, it's a delicate background flavor. Occasionally, toffee takes center stage in the beer, infusing it with buttery, sweet flavors that are perfectly balanced without being overpowering.
Toffee is an excellent addition to seasonal beers, playing well with spicier flavors for holiday-themed offerings. It's also good for easily drinkable summertime beers. The best Seattle breweries will know exactly how much of this ingredient to infuse into their beers, so it's never overpowering.
Raisin
Raisin is a very common flavor in beers that are malty, especially ones that are higher in alcohol by volume. Darker malts will sometimes have a deep stone fruit flavor that
intensifies the other flavors. Unlike fruit beers, which are very forward, maltier offerings usually only have raisin on the beer finish. This keeps it from being overpowering but still accomplishes the job of infusing a little bit of fruit into the drink.
Brewers accomplish this type of flavoring by using dark crystal malts in their brewing process.
Smoke
Smoky flavors can elevate your beer, and experienced brewers will know exactly how to incorporate them into the brew. Smoked malt can lend your beer a deep, unique flavor that's common in specialty beers like Rauchbier. Although Rauchbier tends to be way heavy on the smoke, most malt beers only have a taste of this flavor. Like the other options on our list, it's a fantastic way to elevate the beer and amplify other flavors.
You'll usually pick up smoke on the back-end of your sip or on the nose of the beer.
Chocolate
Chocolate is a relatively common flavor in beer, and although you can commonly find it in porters and stouts, maltier beers have it too. Sometimes the chocolate notes that you'll pick up will be sweet. Other times, the chocolate will present itself as a bitter, almost savory element. You'll usually find chocolate notes in darker malts or seasonal blends.
Brewers who excel at infusing their beers with chocolate flavors are rare. It's easy to go overboard with this element, and too many chocolate notes can lead to a dessert-like brew.
Toast
Toast or burnt flavor might not sound appetizing, but they work very well in maltier beers. Toast flavors often taste like roasted barley, or maybe even a little smoky. Some people find that the warm, toasty flavors in their beer come across as freshly cooked biscuits. Certain types of malts will give your beer a toasty flavor, but brewers need to use a light hand. If you add too much, you'll wind up with a charred taste rather than a beautiful toasty one.
Caramel
Caramel is one of the most common flavors in maltier beers, sometimes coming across as deep molasses or even rich toffee. Like chocolate and toffee flavorings, it's another element of maltier beers that can be overly sweet if you go overboard with it. The right touch of caramel will hit your palate perfectly. Carmel is a great addition to maltier seasonal beers and can even work with summer ones.
If your beer has caramel notes in it, you'll smell them right off the bat. In addition, your beer will have a distinct, delicious sweetness.
Types of Malt Beers
There are plenty of different styles of malts, and many of them have some kind of regional significance. English mild, doppelbock, English brown ale, and Dunkel lager are popular, as are Scottish ales, bitters, and English strong ales. The best Seattle breweries will have a tasting menu and allow you to sample each type of beer before ordering a full pint. In addition, beer flights are a good way to see which malty varieties you like.
Food Pairings
Since maltier beers tend to be a little bit on the sweeter side, some people think that they're hard to pair with food. However, if you keep your beer's profile and dominant flavor notes in mind, you can easily pair with food and not have to worry about the two flavors clashing at all.
Vegetables
Maltier beers tend to play well with root vegetables like mushrooms and beets. So pour yourself a beautiful malt and dig into a root vegetable, gratin. The sweet earthiness from the vegetables will pair well with just about any different type of malty beer.
Meats
If you really want to emphasize the sweet flavors of your beer, consider pairing it with meats that are slightly on the saltier side. These types of beers go really well with cured meats like salami and pancetta, as well anchovies. You can serve them alongside a charcuterie platter full of salty cheeses, meats, and olives for the perfect complimentary snack.
Grains
The key to enjoying these types of beers fully is not trying to compete with their sweet flavors. As such, you can eat grains alongside your malt, but they should be denser, more savory varieties. Rye bread and butter pairs exceptionally well with most types of malt beers, and this combination is a simple yet sophisticated way to enjoy both of them fully.
Sauces
Saltier sauces, like soy sauce, tend to go very well with malt beers because they balance out the sweetness well. These types of beers won't compete with stronger spices, like paprika or thyme either. Try a malt beer with your Thai food or alongside a plate of pierogi.
If you're looking for the best local malt beers that Seattle has to offer, along with a small menu of culinary treats, Lowercase Brewing has you covered. Taste some of Seattle's finest brews at their central location. Visit Lowercase Brewing to sample our selection of fine, local craft beers today.
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