Malty beer is earthy and complex. Several flavors can be noted depending on the beer and the characteristics of the grains used. They can be sweet with caramel, chocolate, or coffee notes, or they can be nutty, fruity, bready.
Malty beers are darker in color and sweeter than those made with lighter malts. Malty beers usually have a more subdued hop flavor to balance out the sweetness from the malt.
Malty beers can be broken down into several commonly noted characteristics: – Caramel – Toffee – Coffee – Fruits (like raisins, figs, bananas, prunes, and cherrie – Bread or biscuit-like
Some, however, are sweeter than others. For example, beers made with crystal malt have a strong, sweet caramel flavor. Others like brown ales, stouts, and porters made with chocolate malt have low sweetness with more coffee-like flavors.
The maltiest beer styles are: – Brown Ales - Dark Ales - Strong Ales - Dark Lagers - Bocks - Porters