How to Brew an Amber Ale That Rivals Your Favorite Craft Beer

April 8, 2025

Craft a Bold Amber Ale With a Homestyle Touch That’ll Keep Your Mates Coming Back for More

There’s something wildly satisfying about pouring a glass of beer that you brewed yourself. Not just because it's your handiwork, but because every bit of flavour—every crunchy malt bite and that gentle bitterness—is completely under your control. It’s hobby meets honour, right? If you're anything like me, you’ve probably stared into your favourite glass of amber ale at the pub and thought, “Could I make this at home... and make it better?” Spoiler alert: you absolutely can.

Welcome to the wonderful, slightly addictive art of homebrewing amber ale—craft-style. And we’re not talking about a flat fizzy mess, either. We’re talking about a rich, deep copper-coloured beer with those comforting biscuit malt notes, a splash of toffee sweetness, and just enough citrusy bitterness to make your tastebuds dance.

Why Amber Ale? A Crowd-Pleaser With Character

Amber ale walks that magic line between easy drinking and bold personality. It’s got enough depth for the aficionados, but it’s approachable enough that even lager loyalists grudgingly nod with approval. Perfect for backyard BBQs, Sunday footy hangouts, or something to crack open after mowing the lawn.

My first try at an amber ale was a haphazard chaos of questionable hops and a sugar overload—but with the right kit and ingredients, even rookies can score big here. I found my game-changer in this gem right here:

Thomas Coopers Family Secret Amber Ale is one quick way to level up your brewing setup without needing a microbrewery in your shed. This 1.7kg tin of golden potential whips up a mid-bodied ale with a luscious deep copper hue (think 420 EBC if you love the numbers). Packed with that warm, biscuity malt hit and smoothed right out with toffee caramel sweetness, it leaves you with a cheeky nutty finish kissed with citrus hop notes.

Let’s Talk Recipe Setup: Keep It Simple, Keep It Spot-On

If you're newer to homebrewing, there’s a temptation to throw twenty things into the pot and hope for brilliance. Don’t. Simplicity often brews the best batches, especially with a solid foundation like this.

Here’s a no-fuss way to get started so you can focus on feel and flavour:

Main Ingredient: One can of Thomas Coopers Family Secret Amber Ale (1.7kg).
Sugar: 500g of dry malt extract or brew enhancer (for a fuller finish and better body).
Water: Top up to 23L with room temp or lightly chilled water—clean and chlorine-free, please.
Yeast: The tin includes 7g of top-notch Coopers yeast. It’s all you need here.

Ferment at 18–21°C. Too hot and it'll be banana bread in a bottle. Too cold and your yeast’ll drag its feet.

What's It Taste Like?

If beer were a hug, this would be it. You get a pop of biscuity grain up front, with that malted backbone sweeping in warmth. The toffee whisper is enough to sweeten the sip without overpowering, and by the time it hits the finish, you’re left with a nutty tease offset by a light pithy punch from citrusy hops. Honestly—this one's dangerously easy to love.

Tips That’ll Keep You Brewing Better, Batch After Batch

Here’s a nugget—they say amber’s a forgiving style, but that doesn’t mean sloppy brewing gets a free pass. A few lessons I’ve picked up along the way:

Sterilise like your brew life depends on it. Because it does. Anything unclean is just asking for bottle bombs or off-putting flavours.
Use bottled or filtered water the first few times, especially if you’re unsure about your tap water quality.
Let it sit. Once it’s bottled, stash it somewhere dark for at least 2–3 weeks before drinking. Four if you can wait. That’s when the rich tones pull together like a symphony.
Chill before pouring. A solid two days in the fridge helps settle the yeast and gives a crisp finish you’ll appreciate on the pour.

That Sweet Sweet Admiration... and Your Signature Brew

I knew I’d nailed it when my father-in-law (cynic of the highest flavour order) reached for a second bottle with a raised eyebrow and a slow nod. One of those, "Alright, you've got something here" moments. This needs to be your signature brew—and with the right tools and a bit of patience, it can be.

Your personal amber ale doesn’t just compete with your favourite craft brew—it might just top it. With mates standing around the firepit, glass in hand, saying "Mate, you brewed this?" — that's your badge of pride right there.

Brew smart. Brew proud.

Cheers,
Candeece 🍻