Typically Strong Mild is brown to black in colour and as the name suggests are stronger than conventional Mild. The ABV range is from 4.1% up to 6.4%, below this they would be classified simply as Mild and above it probably a Strong Ale - Dark, part of the Barley Wines and Strong Ales style.
Taste wise expect malt and sweetness rather than hops and bitterness. The malt will define though may only be light to medium in intensity. As with conventional Mild some caramel may be detected plus roast notes are usually present. there forward beers. Overall they have a a light to medium malt character.
When entered in beer competitions CAMRA usually judge this beer style as part of the Brown, Red and Black Ales, Old Ales and Strong Milds category as there are few examples of the individual styles.
Colour
Brown to Black
Clarity
Clear to Bright
Carbonation
Low
Alcohol
Not detectable in lower strength examples
Hop
Not present in any great quantities
Malt
Light to strong
Esters
None
Phenols
None
Fermentation By-Products
None
Body
Medium to full, though lower ABV examples can be light
Carbonation
Low
Finish Length
Short to medium
Attenuation
Can be sweet
Hops
Mostly UK grown hops are used to play a supporting role to the malt
Malt
Moderate to strong
Water
No specific requirements
Yeast
Ale
Brampton - Brampton Mild
Sarah Hughes - Dark Ruby Mild
Bewdley - William Mucklow's Dark (see photo)