Expert: Spencer W Thomas - 1/25/2005

Question
Hello ! Spencer, My questions concern Malt liquor beers. I really like the Domestic malt liquors {Mickey's,King Cobra,Colt 45,Olde English Etc.}.
Are these really true Malt liquors or are they American variations of Lager beers ?
Can you suggest some import Malt Liquors I could try that would be similiar in tase to what I am used to ?
I live in a large city and there are a couple of stores that cater to all kinds of import beers "but" I need some suggestions as to what brands.
Glad to see that you are devoting your time and knowledge to this Great subject !
Thanks !
Ron

Answer
Malt liquor means two things that I'm aware of.  The first meaning, which fits Mickey's and the others you list, is a "pumped up" lager beer, with a higher-than-usual alcohol content, generally a little bit sweet and with very low bitterness.  This is what most people think of when you say "Malt Liquor."  

Yes, they are lager beers.  The word "lager" pertains to the method of fermentation and the kind of yeast used.  Beers are generally classed as either "lager" or "ale" depending on the kind of yeast and fermentation temperature.  Lagers are generally "cleaner" in flavor than ales, while ales tend to have a more fruity or spicy flavor and aroma than do lagers.  Lager beers range from light-bodied and flavor beers Coors Light to such hefty beers as Salvator double-bock beer. Ales also cover the flavor spectrum from beers such as Genessee Cream Ale at the light end to Guinness Stout and "barleywines" at the heavy end.

The other meaning of "malt liquor", which you may see on some imported beer labels, is a purely legal fiction.  Some states (I don't have the list at hand) require any beer over a certain % alcohol to be labelled as a "malt liquor".  So, you will see this notation on many higher-alcohol imported beers which are not at all similar to the American "malt liquors".  Other silly regulations require that the word "stout" appear on the label of high-alcohol beers (Texas) or that the word "ale" can't be used for beers below a certain % alcohol (again Texas).

As for imported beers similar to American malt liquor, I can think of one that may still be available -- that is Carlsberg Elephant (Danish).  There may be others, but as it's not my preferred beer style, I'm not familiar with them.  Jamaican Red Stripe is similar, but I think not as strong as the American beers.