Malty Beers Without The Hops: A Smooth Drinking Experience

Beer is made from malted cereal grains, which are the primary source of its colour and flavour. The most common malted grain is barley malt, but others include wheat, rye and oats. The malted grains are mixed with unmalted grains, including corn, rice, wheat, rye, oats and sorghum. The malting process involves controlled sprouting and kilning of the grains, which breaks down the hard, starchy insides into simpler carbohydrates. Kilning gives the grains different colours and flavours.

Malt provides the sugars that are fermented by yeast to create alcohol and CO2. Any sweetness in beer comes from the malt. The malted grains also contribute to the mouthfeel of the beer. Each type of malt brings its own particular set of flavours. Base malts, for example, are the most basic and give beer the most basic and grain-like flavours. Descriptors for these flavours include grainy, corn, bready, saltine cracker and husky.

Crystal or caramel malts are made by allowing enzymes in the grain to convert complex carbohydrates into simple sugars before kilning. This caramelises the sugars in the grain, creating flavours like caramel, toffee, brown sugar, molasses and burnt sugar. The darkest of these malts can impart rich dark fruit flavours like plum and prune.

The roasted malts are the darkest of the brewing grains and are responsible for the flavours associated with stouts and porters. They are kilned at the highest temperatures and have strong roasty and charred flavours. Descriptors for these grains include roasted, burnt, smoky, chocolate and coffee.

The hop flowers added to beer are the spice of beer. They balance the sweetness of the malt with bitterness, as well as adding flavours and aromas ranging from citrus and pine to earthy and spicy. Hops are the cone-like flower of a rapidly growing vine in the cannabis family. The hop flowers contain a large amount of leafy vegetative matter, which gives rise to the plant-like flavours associated with hops.

If you're looking for a malty beer without the bitterness of hops, you might want to try a Scottish ale, doppelbock, Vienna lager or English barleywine.

Stretta Indian Pale Ale No. 1

The beer was crafted by local Maltese brewer John Borg Barthet, who created the recipe from home. It has since gained widespread recognition and praise, even making it to the top of the Maltese beers on the ratings website ratebeer.com.

Lord Chambray San Blas

The company chose to set up in Gozo, citing better water quality on the island, and has since spearheaded the local beer movement. Their "Golden Bay" and "Blue Lagoon" beers are also exceptionally tasty and exceptionally Maltese.

Cisk Lager

In terms of taste, Cisk Lager is known for its well-balanced flavor profile. While it is a lager, which typically has a lower IBU (International Bittering Units) and less prominent hop character, the specific information about its maltiness and bitterness is limited. However, lagers are generally known for being less bitter and more mellow in flavor, which may align with the characteristics you are seeking.

If you are specifically looking for beers that emphasize maltiness without the hops bitterness, here are some additional options to consider:

• Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier: This German-style hefeweizen is known for its fruity and spicy flavor profile, with prominent notes of banana, doughy wheat malt, vanilla, lemon, clove, and peppercorn spiciness.
• Anchor Brewing Co. Steam Beer: A unique lager-ale hybrid that is gentle and easygoing on the palate, with a slight degree of hoppiness. It offers lightly malty and toasty flavors with a subtle fruity accent.
• Big Sky Brewing Co. Moose Drool Brown Ale: This American brown ale is beautifully balanced with mildly nutty, cocoa-y, and bready notes, along with a subtle sweetness that satisfies without being overly sugary.
• Allagash White: This American-made Belgian witbier is a style-definer, with light orange and peppery spice notes. It strikes a perfect balance between simplicity and complexity, making it incredibly easy to drink while inviting deeper contemplation.
• Great Lakes Brewing Co. Edmund Fitzgerald: This classic American porter is dry and roasty, with a bittersweet dark chocolate note and a slightly piney hop presence that differs from the traditional perception of "hoppy."
• Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout: A well-loved oatmeal stout that offers a unique drinking experience, with a malty sweetness and a smooth, creamy texture.

Remember, when exploring beers with less prominent hop characteristics, it's helpful to look for styles like lagers, blondes, hefeweizens, wheat ales, and some Belgian beers. Additionally, pay attention to the IBU ratings, as a lower number indicates less bitterness.

Farsons Blue Label

The beer has a unique, smooth, and mild taste, with distinctive chocolate and caramel notes. It is hopped and mixed with a special type of mild malt, giving it a rich colour. The draught version is smooth and creamy, achieved through widget technology that releases nitrogen to create a distinct finish.

The beer has a smooth mouthfeel, with a medium-light body and moderate carbonation. It is an excellent choice for a session beer, especially if you find yourself in Malta, where it is brewed and readily available.

TAR Robust Porter

One reviewer describes the beer as a very dark brown colour with little head or lacing. They also note the smoky character with a lot of roasted malt and that it is a little heavy on the roasted note. Another review describes it as "not too bad. A little light bodied".

Frequently asked questions