Why Is Beer Yellow?

Beer is yellow… usually. But why? Why is beer yellow? Let’s delve deeper and learn why most beers are yellow.

Light Beers And Dark Beers

Not all beers are yellow. There are white beers, amber beers, brown beers, reddish beers, and there are almost black beers. But we won’t talk about them here; we’ll only talk about yellow beers. So why is beer yellow? What causes this considerable variation in beer color? Does it affect its taste? The short answer is yes. Let’s see how and why (no, it’s not about putting eggs in your beer).

What Determines Beer Color?

The color of the beer typically comes from its main ingredient: grains. Most grains are yellow, golden, or brown, so most beers are the same color. These are the base colors, which can change A LOT during the brewing and fermentation process. The process changes both the colors and the flavor of the beer. Even the most minute details can affect the color and beer flavor, like temperature, the yeasts used the length of the fermentation, and a variety of other factors.

For example, lagers and other lighter beers (the yellow beers) are made from grains that are not roasted for as long as dark beers. Lighter beers are mashed for a shorter period, so more particles are filtered out during brewing. Simply put, lighter beers (the yellow ones) are filtered more than darker beers, but that’s not all.

The Grains and Other Major Ingredients

As we mentioned above, grains is the #1 factor that makes beer yellow, brown, amber, or any other color. No matter what type of grain is used during the brewing process, they are essentially the same – they are all colored by melanin (melanin also colors our skin). Each type of grain has different levels of melanin, so the color varies a lot. 

The color also affects the taste – while lighter beers are softer and crisper, darker beers are more bitter and dense. The color and flavor can also be affected by various additives some brewers use, like purées, coffee, caramel, chocolate, and many others.

#1 – Roasting 

The grain used during the brewing process is roasted, which changes the color of the mash. The more you roast the grains, the darker the beer. Known as the Maillard Reaction, or “the browning”, this process is critical during beer production, making it a distinct bitter taste. Some brewers choose a higher roasting temperature, further darkening the beer. Roasting can also affect the additives used in beer, like coffee or chocolate.

#2 – Mash Duration

Beer can also get darker during the mashing process. Some brewers keep the temperature very high during mashing and prefer longer mashing times. This leads to darker beer. Also, some brewers often change the mashing temperature from low to high, further affecting the final color of the beer. 

Usually, longer mashing leads to darker beers. Also, the pH during mashing affects the color. High pH levels create darker beers, while lower pH levels create lighter beers. 

#3 – During Fermentation

After the boiling process, the beer is cooled down and taken through the fermentation process. Although some particles may be filtered out during the fermentation (yeast may eat some darker particles), the color is usually unaffected. Sometimes, the type of yeast can change the color of the beer, but with minimal effects. 

#4 – Filtration

As we previously mentioned, filtration affects beer color. Higher filtration levels produce lighter beers because particles are eliminated. Dark and bitter molecules are removed, making beer crisper, lighter, and yellow. Unfiltered beer is darker, hazier, and more bitter because all the particles are still present in the beer.

Measuring Beer Color

Determining the color of beer is a real science. There are multiple color levels, devices, and procedures used to determine and rank beer color. Famous brewers often take great pride in their beer and how it looks like. There are two main methods to determine the color of beer, both photometric (visual methods are no longer used).

SRM and Lovibond

In North and South America, the American Society of Brewing Chemists created the Standard Reference Method (commonly known as SRM), which modern brewers use to measure the darkness and the color intensity of beer and wort. SRM is largely similar to the “degrees of Lovibond”, or L scale, which is used to grade the color of other products, like whiskey or sugar. 

EBC

On the other hand, European brewers use the EBC scale to measure beer color and darkness. The method is quantitative, and it measures the beer with a spectrophotometer at a wavelength of 430nm. The wavelength reads levels similar (but different) to the Lovibond or SRM reference levels. 

Typical color values:

0 – 15 EBC (pale beer) 

15 – 35 EBC (dark beer) 

above 35 EBC (specialty beer) 

Why Is The Color Of Beer Important?

All beer drinkers know instinctively that lighter, yellow beers are soft, while darker beers are more intense and bitter. However, this is not always true – you can’t tell the taste or flavor of the beer just by looking at it. Beer is very diverse, has a variety of flavors, bitterness levels, and after-tastes. If you want to be sure and know exactly what it tastes like, just taste it!

The color of the beer does not correlate with its alcohol content. Some drinkers may say that yellow beers have a lower alcohol content, but that is not always true. You can buy pale gold Belgian beers with an ABV above 11 percent and stouts with an ABV of below 6 percent.

Colored Beers

You probably noticed that some beers are orange, red, dark red, or even green (St. Patrick’s?). These beers get their color after the fermentation process via coloring additives or fruit juice. For instance, some brewers add orange juice or orange peels to make orange beer. Red beer is made by adding concentrated juice or food coloring. Beers can also have a green undertone, which is created by adding plant extracts and food coloring.

Wrapping It Up

Beer color is not just visual – it’s a gateway to a world of flavors and aromas. The diverse spectrum of beer hues, from pale gold to deep ebony, is a testament to the intricate interplay between malt, hops, and yeast. A beer’s color hints at its malt profile and the depth of its roasted grains, providing a sneak peek into the taste adventure that awaits. Whether it’s the inviting amber of a caramel-laden ale or the darkness of a rich stout, each color carries a story of tradition.