No, Amstel Malta is a non-alcoholic malt drink with no added caffeine, based on the manufacturer’s published ingredients.
Amstel Malta
Malta Options
Energy Malt
Amstel Malta Classic (330 ml)
- Non-alcoholic malt.
- Ingredient list shows no caffeine.
- Sweet, dark, malty profile.
Caffeine-Free
Amstel Malta Ultra
- Lower sugar version.
- Similar non-caffeinated base.
- Honey-noted flavorings.
Low Sugar
Energy Malt (Not Amstel)
- Caffeine declared on label.
- Often includes taurine.
- Fizzier, sharper taste.
Contains Caffeine
Amstel Malt Caffeine Content: What The Label Shows
Amstel Malta’s official brand page lists water, malted barley, sorghum, caramel, hop extract, stevia, natural flavourings (honey), and a long list of vitamins and minerals. Caffeine isn’t listed among the ingredients, which points to a non-caffeinated recipe for the classic drink. The same holds for Amstel Malta Ultra, the lower-sugar variant that uses the same non-caffeinated base with slight flavour tweaks. Brand pages that do include caffeine, such as the company’s energy beverages, call it out directly in the ingredient panel, making the absence on Amstel Malta’s page meaningful and clear.
Why Some Malt Drinks Have Caffeine And Others Don’t
Malt drinks fall into two broad buckets. The first is the classic non-alcoholic malt, sweet and dark, brewed from malted grains with added vitamins. These usually skip stimulants. The second is “energy malt” or regular energy drinks, which often add caffeine and taurine for a punchier profile. Nigerian Breweries’ own lineup shows both styles side by side: Amstel Malta without caffeine and energy drinks like Climax with 32 mg of caffeine per 100 ml. That contrast on the manufacturer’s site is the simplest way to sort what you’re buying.
Early Snapshot Table: Where Caffeine Shows Up
This quick table keeps the core items in view so you can decide fast.
Item | Caffeine | Notes / Source |
---|---|---|
Amstel Malta (Classic) | 0 mg (none listed) | Official ingredients list omits caffeine. Source: brand page. |
Amstel Malta Ultra | 0 mg (none listed) | Lower-sugar variant, same non-caffeinated base. Source: brand page. |
Climax Energy Drink | ≈32 mg/100 ml | Energy drink that declares caffeine on label. Source: brand page. |
Ingredients Logic That Answers The Question
Food labels list added caffeine as an ingredient when present. You can see that pattern on energy drinks where caffeine and taurine sit in the list. For Amstel Malta, the ingredient deck is long but stops short of caffeine, which signals a non-caffeinated drink. The company also publishes full nutrition snapshots for its malts, reinforcing the identity of Amstel Malta as a sweet, vitamin-fortified, non-alcoholic beverage rather than a stimulant drink.
How Amstel Malta Compares To Everyday Drinks
If you’re swapping a soda, tea, or coffee for Amstel Malta at night, the caffeine shift matters. Typical brewed coffee lands near the double-digit milligram count per ounce, while black tea sits lower and herbal tea hits zero. Against that range, a can of non-caffeinated Amstel Malta pairs better with late dinners and wind-down hours. If you need a refresher on ballpark numbers across common drinks, scan our caffeine in common beverages chart to see how big the gap can be.
Serving Sizes, Sweetness, And Timing
A standard can holds 330 ml. The drink is sweet, dark, and malty, with calories and sugars that reflect a soft-drink-like profile. Since there’s no caffeine, the timing is flexible: lunch, post-work snack, or alongside a late meal. If you’re caffeine-sensitive, that alone can make Amstel Malta a handy swap. If you’re tracking daily caffeine intake for other reasons, the FDA puts a general adult guideline around 400 mg per day; a zero-caffeine malt leaves that budget untouched.
Label Reading Tips That Save Guesswork
Scan The Ingredient List First
Look for the word “caffeine.” If the product contains it, reputable labels declare it, especially in energy drinks. Energy malts from the same parent company make this crystal clear by listing caffeine and often taurine right on the page.
Don’t Confuse “Malt” With “Energy”
Classic malt drinks are brewed for flavor and calories, not stimulation. Energy drinks are formulated for a kick, so they add caffeine deliberately. That’s why Amstel Malta reads like a soft drink with vitamins, while Climax reads like an energy drink with measured caffeine per 100 ml.
Cross-Check On The Brand Page
If a store listing sounds vague, jump to the manufacturer’s page. It’s common to see retailer blurbs mixing marketing phrases with guesses. The brand’s own ingredient list and nutrition line are the source of truth.
Nutrition Snapshot: What You’re Drinking
Amstel Malta leans sweet and nourishing rather than bitter or hoppy. The classic page lists carbohydrates and sugars in a soft-drink range and includes vitamins A and B-complex plus minerals like magnesium and zinc. Amstel Malta Ultra trims the sugars further while keeping the same non-caffeinated identity and honey-noted flavourings. If your goal is to avoid caffeine in the evening while still enjoying a malty taste, both options hit that target.
Use Cases: When A Caffeine-Free Malt Makes Sense
Late-Night Cravings
That sweet, bready profile scratches the dessert itch without nudging your sleep schedule. People who toss and turn after tea or coffee often find a malt drink easier to fit in after dinner, since there’s no stimulant to nudge wakefulness.
Social Swaps
When you want a party-friendly can without alcohol or stimulants, a classic malt works. It looks the part in a glass, pairs with snacks, and doesn’t raise the caffeine tally that can pile up earlier in the day.
Daytime Hydration With Flavor
Some people rotate between water, juice, and non-caffeinated malts to keep variety high. If your mornings already include coffee or tea, a caffeine-free malt keeps your intake balanced later on.
Taste Profile: What To Expect In A Glass
Expect a deep caramel hue and a round, toasty aroma. The mouthfeel is smooth and slightly creamy, with sweetness upfront and a gentle grain finish. Compared to non-alcoholic beers, Amstel Malta is sweeter and has no hop bite. Compared to energy drinks, it’s less acidic, less sharp, and not designed to energize. Brand notes highlight vitamins and minerals rather than stimulants, which tracks with how it drinks.
Second Snapshot Table: Practical Scenarios At A Glance
Bring this along when you’re choosing what to pour.
Scenario | Caffeine Outcome | What It Means |
---|---|---|
330 ml Amstel Malta with dinner | 0 mg | No stimulant hit; friendlier for sleep. |
330 ml Amstel Malta Ultra post-workout | 0 mg | Lower sugar variant; same non-caffeinated base. |
250 ml Energy drink can | ≈80 mg | Designed for a lift; label lists caffeine per volume. |
Buyer’s Checklist: Get The Can You Want
Match The Exact Name
Look for “Amstel Malta” or “Amstel Malta Ultra.” Energy malts and energy drinks from other sub-brands sit nearby on shelves but aren’t the same thing.
Flip The Can
Read the ingredient deck. If you see caffeine listed, that’s not the classic Amstel Malta. If you don’t, you’re in the clear.
Think About Timing
Plan your day if you drink coffee or tea earlier. The FDA’s general adult guideline is 400 mg per day, so a caffeine-free malt won’t eat into that allowance.
What About Sugar And Calories?
Classic malt drinks bring sugar and calories, which is part of why they taste rich and dessert-like. If you’re watching sugar closely, Amstel Malta Ultra trims the numbers; both versions stay non-caffeinated. The brand pages list per-100-ml nutrition lines that help you plan your pour size.
Bottom Line: Does Amstel Malt Contain Caffeine?
No. The classic Amstel Malta and the lower-sugar Ultra variant do not list caffeine in their ingredient decks. In the same portfolio, energy drinks disclose caffeine plainly and provide per-volume amounts. If your goal is a malty, sweet, non-alcoholic drink without stimulants, Amstel Malta fits.
Want deeper numbers for everyday sips? Try our how much caffeine is in a cup of coffee guide.