Malt beer
A sweet, low-alcohol beer brewed with minimal fermentation.
Malt beer is a sweet beverage with a low alcohol content, ranging from 0% to 2.5% ABV. It is produced through a brewing process similar to standard beer, but with very little or no fermentation. The ingredients include barley malt syrup, sugar, yeast, hops, and water. To achieve its low alcohol level, brewers either add yeast at around 0 °C, which limits alcohol to under 0.5% ABV, or stop fermentation once the desired alcohol percentage—typically between 1% and 2% ABV—is reached.
This drink is regarded as nutritious and is occasionally given to breastfeeding mothers. In ancient Egypt, a version called zythum was believed to act as both a laxative and an antidiarrheal, though it was considered unsafe for sick individuals or pregnant women.
In the United Kingdom, Danish malt beverages have gained popularity among the South Asian community, and they have been available in specialty supermarkets there since the 1970s.
Malt beer is one of the most widely consumed drinks in Iceland, second only to soft drinks. The leading brands are Egils Maltextrakt (1.2% ABV) and Víking Maltöl (0.9% ABV). A seasonal variety, hvítöl (2.2% ABV), is sold during the Christmas month. Icelandic malt beer was inspired by Danish maltøl, which is still produced by at least one brewery in Denmark.
In southern Brazil, where there are large German immigrant communities, the brand Brahma Malzbier (4% ABV) is very popular and is mainly drunk during winter. Malt beer varieties are also common in several Caribbean countries.
West African brands include Guinness Malt, Amstel Malt, Maltex, and Malteni, which are marketed as energy drinks.
- Alcohol range
- 0–2.5% ABV
- Low fermentation method 1
- yeast added at about 0 °C (under 0.5% ABV)
- Low fermentation method 2
- fermentation halted at 1–2% ABV
- Icelandic brand 1
- Egils Maltextrakt (1.2% ABV)
- Icelandic brand 2
- Víking Maltöl (0.9% ABV)
- Icelandic seasonal
- hvítöl (2.2% ABV, Christmas month)
- Brazilian brand
- Brahma Malzbier (4% ABV)
Lore & Background
Malt beer is considered nutritious and is sometimes given to breastfeeding mothers. Among the ancient Egyptians, their form of malt beer (zythum) was thought to work as both a laxative and antidiarrheal, but it was considered dangerous for the sick or pregnant to drink. In the United Kingdom, Danish malt drinks have become popular among the South Asian community and have been sold in their dedicated supermarkets since the 1970s. After soft drinks, malt beer is one of the most popular beverages sold in Iceland. The two main brands are Egils Maltextrakt (1.2% ABV) and Víking Maltöl (0.9% ABV), and a seasonal hvítöl is available in the Christmas month (2.2% ABV). The Icelandic malt beer was modelled on the Danish maltøl, which is still brewed by at least one company in Denmark. In Southern Brazil, with its large communities of German immigrants, a brand called Brahma Malzbier (4% ABV) is very popular and mainly consumed during the winter months. Varieties of malt beer are also popular in some Caribbean countries. West African brands include Guinness Malt, Amstel Malt, Maltex, and Malteni, sold as energy drinks.
Reader's Guide
Malt beer holds significance as a low-alcohol alternative that retains the brewing process while minimizing fermentation. Its nutritional reputation has led to traditional use for breastfeeding mothers. Historically, ancient Egyptians attributed medicinal properties to their version, zythum, though with cautions for certain groups. In modern times, the beverage has found distinct cultural niches: among the South Asian community in the United Kingdom since the 1970s, as a top-selling drink in Iceland (second only to soft drinks), and as a winter seasonal in Southern Brazil. The Icelandic market features specific brands and a Christmas variant, all derived from Danish maltøl. West African brands are marketed as energy drinks, indicating a shift in positioning. The article notes that malt beer is also popular in some Caribbean countries, though no further details are given. Its legacy is one of adaptation across regions, from a medicinal and nutritional drink to a commercial product with varying alcohol levels and cultural associations.
Did You Know?
- Malt beer is sometimes given to breastfeeding mothers.
- Ancient Egyptians considered their malt beer (zythum) both a laxative and antidiarrheal.
- In Iceland, malt beer is one of the most popular beverages after soft drinks.
- West African brands of malt beer are sold as energy drinks.
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