malt beer

{{Short description|Low-alcohol brewed beverage}}

File:Flasche Vitamalz.jpg German non-alcoholic malt beer (Malzbier)]]

Malt beer is a sweet, low-alcohol beer (0–2.5% ABV{{cite web |url=http://www.besser-bier-brauen.de/bier-brauen-und-geschichte/biersorten/malzbier |title=Malzbier|publisher=brauherr.de|access-date=2013-10-09}}) that is brewed like regular beer but with low or minimal fermentation. To keep the alcohol content low, one of two methods may be used: either the yeast is added at about 0 °C (resulting in an alcohol content of under 0.5% ABV) or fermentation is halted at the desired alcohol content (usually in the range of 1 to 2% ABV). It is made from barley malt syrup, sugar, yeast, hops, and water.{{cite web|url=http://www.beer-brewing.com/beer-brewing/barley_malts/other_malted_grains.htm|title=Wheat and Rye Malt Use in Brewing Beer|publisher=www.beer-brewing.com|access-date=2012-03-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524231915/http://www.beer-brewing.com/beer-brewing/barley_malts/other_malted_grains.htm|archive-date=2013-05-24|url-status=dead}}

Malt beer is considered to be nutritious and is sometimes given to breastfeeding mothers.{{Cite web |url=http://www.germanbeerinstitute.com/Malzbier.html |title=Description of malt beer |access-date=2012-03-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810210832/http://www.germanbeerinstitute.com/Malzbier.html |archive-date=2016-08-10 |url-status=dead }} Among the ancient Egyptians, their form of malt beer (zythum) was considered to work as both a laxative and antidiarrheal; it was considered dangerous, however, for the sick or pregnant to drink it.

In the United Kingdom, Danish malt drinks have become popular amongst the South Asian community and have been sold in their dedicated supermarkets since the 1970s.{{cn|date=July 2023}}

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).{{cite news|work=Morgunblaðið|date=3 September 1998 |page=32|location=Reykjavik|language=is|title=Léttöl getur framkallað ölvunareinkenni|trans-title=Light beer may induce intoxication|url=http://timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?issId=130898&pageId=1913416|access-date=7 October 2013}} Additionally, a seasonal hvítöl is available in the Christmas month (2.2% ABV).{{cite news|work=Tíminn|date=3 September 1998 |page=32|location=Reykjavik|language=is|title=Áfengismagnið í Agli sterka er 4,5%—Aðrir drykkir innihalda 1 til 2,25%|trans-title="Egill sterki" contains 4.5% alcohol—Other beverages between 1 and 2.25%|url=http://timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?pageId=1032261|access-date=7 October 2013}} The Icelandic malt beer was modelled on the Danish maltøl, which is still brewed by at least one company in Denmark.{{cite web |url=http://www.denstoredanske.dk/Mad_og_bolig/Øl,_vin_og_spiritus/Øl_og_mineralvand/maltøl |title=maltøl|date=February 2009 |publisher=Den Store Danske, Gyldendals åbne encyklopædi|access-date=2013-10-07}}

In Southern Brazil, with its large communities of German immigrants, a brand called Brahma Malzbier (4% ABV) is very popular and it is mainly consumed during the winter months.

In Israel, brands include Nesher Malt, Malt Star and Malti.{{cite news |last1=Rahav |first1=Yehudit |title=מלחמה שחורה: מי ישלוט בשוק הבירות השחורות |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-2998163,00.html |access-date=21 August 2021 |work=ynet |date=2 November 2004 |language=he}}

Varieties of malt beer are also popular in some Caribbean countries.

West African brands include Guinness Malt, Amstel Malt, Maltex, and Malteni. These are sold as energy drinks.