2008/2015 BJCP Style Guidelines Comparsion

2008/2015 BJCP Style Guidelines Comparsion

Introduction The 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines are a major revision from the 2008 edition. The goals of the new edition are to better address world beer styles as found in their local markets, keep pace with emerging craft beer market trends, describe historical beers now finding a following, better describe the sensory characteristics of modern brewing ingredients, take advantage of new research and references, and help competition organizers better manage the complexity of their events. Many new styles have been added, and some existing styles have been divided into multiple categories or simply renamed. The groupings of styles into categories has a new philosophy that groups styles with similar judging characteristics rather than a common heritage or family name. Do not assume that the same primary characteristic (e.g., color, strength, balance, dominant flavor, country of origin) was used to determine each category grouping; the reasoning was more variable and nuanced. Some changes have been made to allow us to be more agile in making future revisions. Finally, we have provided some additional guidance on how to use the guidelines to reduce the potential for misuse that we have observed in past editions. If you are familiar with the 2008 guidelines, note that many category names and numbers are changing. Note that we have added an Introduction to Beer Styles section, just as we have had in the past with Mead and Cider styles. This new section addresses common characteristics of beer, and attributes that are assumed by default to be present or absent unless otherwise noted.

Styles and Categories The BJCP Style Guidelines use some specific terms with specialized meaning: Category, Subcategory, and Style. When thinking of beer, mead and cider styles, the subcategory is the most important label subcategory means essentially the same thing as style and identifies the major characteristic of one type of beer, mead or cider. Each style has a well defined description, which is the basic tool used during judging. When specialty beer descriptions refer to a Classic Style, we mean a named style (subcategory name) in the BJCP Style Guidelines. The larger categories are arbitrary groupings of beer, mead, or cider styles, usually with similar characteristics but some subcategories are not necessarily related to others within the same category. The purpose of the structure within the BJCP Style Guidelines is to group styles of beer, mead and cider to facilitate judging during competitions; do not attempt to derive additional meaning from these groupings. No historical or geographic association is implied.

Category Comparison 2008 Categories 28 categories, including Mead (3) and Cider (2) 2015 Categories 34 Beer categories Mead and Cider are separated into their own style guidelines Mead categories 4 Mead categories Cider categories 2 Cider categories

2008 Categories vs 2015 Categories 2008 STYLES 2015 BEER STYLES 1. LIGHT LAGER 1. STANDARD AMERICAN BEER 2. PILSNER 2. INTERNATIONAL LAGER 3. EUROPEAN AMBER LAGER 3. CZECH LAGER 4. DARK LAGER 4. PALE MALTY EUROPEAN LAGER 5. BOCK 5. PALE BITTER EUROPEAN BEER 6. LIGHT HYBRID BEER 6. AMBER MALTY EUROPEAN LAGER 7. AMBER HYBRID BEER 7. AMBER BITTER EUROPEAN BEER 8. ENGLISH PALE ALE 8. DARK EUROPEAN LAGER 9. SCOTTISH AND IRISH ALE 9. STRONG EUROPEAN BEER 10. AMERICAN ALE 10. GERMAN WHEAT BEER 11. ENGLISH BROWN ALE 11. BRITISH BITTER 12. PORTER 12. PALE COMMONWEALTH BEER 13. STOUT 13. BROWN BRITISH BEER 14. INDIA PALE ALE (IPA) 14. SCOTTISH ALE 15. GERMAN WHEAT AND RYE BEER 15. IRISH BEER 16. BELGIAN AND FRENCH ALE 16. DARK BRITISH BEER 17. SOUR ALE 17. STRONG BRITISH ALE 18. BELGIAN STRONG ALE 18. PALE AMERICAN ALE 19. STRONG ALE 19. AMBER AND BROWN AMERICAN BEER 20. FRUIT BEER 20. AMERICAN PORTER AND STOUT 21. SPICE/HERB/VEGETABLE BEER 21. IPA 22. SMOKE FLAVORED/WOOD AGED BEER 22. STRONG AMERICAN ALE 23. SPECIALTY BEER 23. EUROPEAN SOUR ALE 2008 STYLES 2015 BEER STYLES 24. BELGIAN ALE 25. STRONG BELGIAN ALE 26. TRAPPIST ALE 27. HISTORICAL BEER 28. AMERICAN WILD ALE 29. FRUIT BEER 30. SPICED BEER 31. ALTERNATIVE FERMENTABLES BEER 32. SMOKED BEER 33. WOOD BEER 34. SPECIALTY BEER 2015 MEAD STYLES 24. TRADITIONAL MEAD M1. TRADITIONAL MEAD 25. MELOMEL (FRUIT MEAD) M2. FRUIT MEAD 26. OTHER MEAD M3. SPICED MEAD M4. SPECIALTY MEAD 2015 CIDER STYLES 27. STANDARD CIDER AND PERRY C1. STANDARD CIDER AND PERRY 28. SPECIALTY CIDER AND PERRY C2. SPECIALTY CIDER AND PERRY

2008 Styles vs 2015 Styles 2008 STYLE 2015 STYLE 2015 CATEGORIES 1. LIGHT LAGER A. Lite American Lager 1A. American Light Lager 1. Standard American Beer B. Standard American Lager 1B. American Lager 1. Standard American Beer C. Premium American Lager 2A. International Pale Lager 2. International Lager D. Munich Helles 4A. Munich Helles 4. Pale Malty European Lager E. Dortmunder Export 5C. German Helles Exportbier 5. Pale Bitter European Beer 2. PILSNER A. German Pilsner (Pils) 5D. German Pils 5. Pale Bitter European Beer B. Bohemian Pilsener 3B. Czech Premium Pale Lager 3. Czech Lager C. Classic American Pilsner 27. Historical Beer: Pre-Prohibition Lager 27. Historical Beer 3. EUROPEAN AMBER LAGER A. Vienna Lager 7A. Vienna Lager 7. Amber Bitter European Beer B. Oktoberfest/Märzen 6A. Märzen 6. Amber Malty European Lager 4. DARK LAGER A. Dark American Lager 2C. International Dark Lager 2. International Lager B. Munich Dunkel 8A. Munich Dunkel 8. Dark European Lager C. Schwarzbier 8B. Schwarzbier 8. Dark European Lager 5. BOCK A. Maibock/Helles Bock 4C. Helles Bock 4. Pale Malty European Lager B. Traditional Bock 6C. Dunkles Bock 6. Amber Malty European Lager C. Doppelbock 9A. Doppelbock 9. Strong European Beer D. Eisbock 9B. Eisbock 9. Strong European Beer

2008 Styles vs 2015 Styles 2008 STYLE 2015 STYLE 2015 CATEGORIES 6. LIGHT HYBRID BEER A. Cream Ale 1C. Cream Ale 1. Standard American Beer B. Blonde Ale 18A. Blonde Ale 18. Pale American Ale C. Kölsch 5B. Kölsch 5. Pale Bitter European Beer D. American Wheat or Rye Beer 1D. American Wheat Beer 1. Standard American Beer 7. AMBER HYBRID BEER A. North German Altbier 2B. International Amber Lager 2. International Lager B. California Common Beer 19B. California Common 19. Amber and Brown American Beer C. Düsseldorf Altbier 7B. Altbier 7. Amber Bitter European Beer 8. ENGLISH PALE ALE A. Standard/Ordinary Bitter 11A. Ordinary Bitter 11. British Bitter B. Special/Best/Premium Bitter 11B. Best Bitter 11. British Bitter C. Extra Special/Strong Bitter (English Pale Ale) 11C. Strong Bitter 11. British Bitter 9. SCOTTISH AND IRISH ALE A. Scottish Light 60/- 14A. Scottish Light 14. Scottish Ale B. Scottish Heavy 70/- 14B. Scottish Heavy 14. Scottish Ale C. Scottish Export 80/- 14C. Scottish Export 14. Scottish Ale D. Irish Red Ale 15A. Irish Red Ale 15. Irish Beer E. Strong Scotch Ale 17C. Wee Heavy 17. Strong British Ale 10. AMERICAN ALE A. American Pale Ale 18B. American Pale Ale 18. Pale American Ale B. American Amber Ale 19A. American Amber Ale 19. Amber and Brown American Beer C. American Brown Ale 19C. American Brown Ale 19. Amber and Brown American Beer

2008 Styles vs 2015 Styles 2008 STYLE 2015 STYLE 2015 CATEGORIES 11. ENGLISH BROWN ALE A. Mild 13A. Dark Mild 13. Brown British Beer B. Southern English Brown Ale 27. Historical Beer: London Brown Ale 27. Historical Beer C. Northern English Brown Ale 13B. British Brown Ale 13. Brown British Beer 12. PORTER A. Brown Porter 13C. English Porter 13. Brown British Beer B. Robust Porter 20A. American Porter 20. American Porter and Stout C. Baltic Porter 9C. Baltic Porter 9. Strong European Beer 13. STOUT A. Dry Stout 15B. Irish Stout 15. Irish Beer B. Sweet Stout 16A. Sweet Stout 16. Dark British Beer C. Oatmeal Stout 16B. Oatmeal Stout 16. Dark British Beer D. Foreign Extra Stout 16D. Foreign Extra Stout 16. Dark British Beer E. American Stout 20B. American Stout 20. American Porter and Stout F. Imperial Stout 20C. Imperial Stout 20. American Porter and Stout 14. INDIA PALE ALE (IPA) A. English IPA 12C. English IPA 12. Pale Commonwealth Beer B. American IPA 21A. American IPA 21. IPA C. Imperial IPA 22A. Double IPA 22. Strong American Ale 15. GERMAN WHEAT AND RYE BEER A. Weizen/Weissbier 10A. Weissbier 10. German Wheat Beer B. Dunkelweizen 10B. Dunkles Weissbier 10. German Wheat Beer C. Weizenbock 10C. Weizenbock 10. German Wheat Beer D. Roggenbier (German Rye Beer) 27. Historical Beer: Roggenbier 27. Historical Beer

2008 Styles vs 2015 Styles 2008 STYLE 2015 STYLE 2015 CATEGORIES 16. BELGIAN AND FRENCH ALE A. Witbier 24A. Witbier 24. Belgian Ale B. Belgian Pale Ale 24B. Belgian Pale Ale 24. Belgian Ale C. Saison 25B. Saison 25. Strong Belgian Ale D. Bière de Garde 24C. Bière de Garde 24. Belgian Ale E. Belgian Specialty Ale 34A. Clone Beer (Belgian styles only) 34. Specialty Beer 17. SOUR ALE A. Berliner Weisse 23A. Berliner Weisse 23. European Sour Ale B. Flanders Red Ale 23B. Flanders Red Ale 23. European Sour Ale C. Flanders Brown Ale/Oud Bruin 23C. Oud Bruin 23. European Sour Ale D. Straight (Unblended) Lambic 23D. Lambic 23. European Sour Ale E. Gueuze 23E. Gueuze 23. European Sour Ale F. Fruit Lambic 23F. Fruit Lambic 23. European Sour Ale 18. BELGIAN STRONG ALE A. Belgian Blond Ale 25A. Belgian Blond Ale 25. Strong Belgian Ale B. Belgian Dubbel 26B. Belgian Dubbel 26. Trappist Ale C. Belgian Tripel 26C. Belgian Tripel 26. Trappist Ale D. Belgian Golden Strong Ale 25C. Belgian Golden Strong Ale 25. Strong Belgian Ale E. Belgian Dark Strong Ale 26D. Belgian Dark Strong Ale 26. Trappist Ale 19. STRONG ALE A. Old Ale 17B. Old Ale 17. Strong British Ale B. English Barleywine 17D. English Barleywine 17. Strong British Ale C. American Barleywine 22C. American Barleywine 22. Strong American Ale

2008 Styles vs 2015 Styles 2008 STYLE 2015 STYLE 2015 CATEGORIES 20. FRUIT BEER 29A. Fruit Beer 29. Fruit Beer 21. SPICE/HERB/VEGETABLE BEER A. Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Beer 30A. Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Beer 30. Spiced Beer B. Christmas/Winter Specialty Spiced Beer 30C. Winter Seasonal Beer 30. Spiced Beer 22. SMOKE-FLAVORED & WOOD-AGED BEER A. Classic Rauchbier 6B. Rauchbier 6. Amber Malty European Lager B. Other Smoked Beer 32A. Classic Style Smoked Beer 32. Smoked Beer C. Wood-Aged Beer 33A. Wood-Aged Beer 33. Wood Beer

2008 STYLE 2015 STYLE 2015 CATEGORIES 23. SPECIALTY BEER 3A. Czech Pale Lager 3. Czech Lager 3C. Czech Amber Lager 3. Czech Lager 3D. Czech Dark Lager 3. Czech Lager 4B. Festbier 4. Pale Malty European Lager 5A. German Leichtbier 5. Pale Bitter European Beer 7C. Kellerbier 7. Amber Bitter European Beer 7C. Kellerbier: Pale Kellerbier 7. Amber Bitter European Beer 7C. Kellerbier: Amber Kellerbier 7. Amber Bitter European Beer 12A. British Golden Ale 12. Pale Commonwealth Beer 12B. Australian Sparkling Ale 12. Pale Commonwealth Beer 15C. Irish Extra Stout 15. Irish Beer 16C. Tropical Stout 16. Dark British Beer 17A. British Strong Ale 17. Strong British Ale 21B. Specialty IPA: Belgian IPA 21. IPA 21B. Specialty IPA: Black IPA 21. IPA 21B. Specialty IPA: Brown IPA 21. IPA 21B. Specialty IPA: Red IPA 21. IPA 21B. Specialty IPA: Rye IPA 21. IPA 21B. Specialty IPA: White IPA 21. IPA 22B. American Strong Ale 22. Strong American Ale 22D. Wheatwine 22. Strong American Ale 26A. Trappist Single 26. Trappist Ale 27. Historical Beer: Pre-Prohibition Porter 27. Historical Beer 27. Historical Beer: Kentucky Common 27. Historical Beer 27. Historical Beer: Sahti 27. Historical Beer 27. Historical Beer: Gose 27. Historical Beer 27. Historical Beer: Piwo Grodziskie 27. Historical Beer 27. Historical Beer: Lichtenhainer 27. Historical Beer 28A. Brett Beer 28. American Wild Ale 28B. Mixed-Fermentation Sour Beer 28. American Wild Ale 28C. Wild Specialty Beer 28. American Wild Ale 29B. Fruit and Spice Beer 29. Fruit Beer 29C. Specialty Fruit Beer 29. Fruit Beer 30B. Autumn Seasonal Beer 30. Spiced Beer 31A. Alternative Grain Beer 31. Alternative Fermentables Beer 31B. Alternative Sugar Beer 31. Alternative Fermentables Beer 32B. Specialty Smoked Beer 32. Smoked Beer 33B. Specialty Wood-Aged Beer 33. Wood Beer 34A. Clone Beer (non-belgian) 34. Specialty Beer 34B. Mixed-Style Beer 34. Specialty Beer 34C. Experimental Beer 34. Specialty Beer

2008 STYLE 2015 STYLE 24. TRADITIONAL MEAD M1. TRADITIONAL MEAD A. Dry Mead M1A. Dry Mead B. Semi-Sweet Mead M1B. Semi-Sweet Mead C. Sweet Mead M1C. Sweet Mead 25. MELOMEL (FRUIT MEAD) M2. FRUIT MEAD A. Cyser (Apple Melomel) M2A. Cyser B. Pyment (Grape Melomel) M2B. Pyment C. Other Fruit Melomel M2C. Berry Mead M2D. Stone Fruit Mead M2E. Melomel 26. OTHER MEAD M3. SPICED MEAD A. Metheglin M3A. Fruit and Spice Mead M3B. Spice, Herb or Vegetable Mead M4. SPECIALTY MEAD B. Braggot M4A. Braggot C. Open Category Mead M4B. Historical Mead M4C. Experimental Mead 27. STANDARD CIDER AND PERRY C1. STANDARD CIDER AND PERRY A. Common Cider C1A. New World Cider B. English Cider C1B. English Cider C. French Cider C1C. French Cider D. Common Perry C1D. New World Perry E. Traditional Perry C1E. Traditional Perry 28. SPECIALTY CIDER AND PERRY C2. SPECIALTY CIDER AND PERRY A. New England Cider C2A. New England Cider B. Fruit Cider C2B. Cider with Other Fruit C. Apple Wine C2C. Applewine D. Other Specialty Cider or Perry C2D. Ice Cider C2E. Cider with Herbs/Spices C2F. Specialty Cider/Perry

References Style Guidelines are available at http://www.bjcp.org/stylecenter.php