Beer style is a term used to differentiate and categorize beers by various factors, including appearance, flavour, ingredients, production method, history, or origin. The term beer style and the structuring of world beers into defined categories is largely based on work done by writer Michael James Jackson in his 1977 book The World Guide To Beer.[1] Fred Eckhardt furthered Jackson's work, publishing The Essentials of Beer Style in 1989.

Dunkel beer, a German dark lager

There is no universally agreed list of beer styles, as different countries and organisations have different sets of criteria. Organisers of beer competitions such as the Campaign for Real Ale's (CAMRA) Champion Beer of Britain, the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) local homebrewing competitions, the Brewers Association's World Beer Cup, and the Brewing Industry International Awards have categories in which beers are judged. The categories are varied and include processes or ingredients not usually regarded as defining beer styles in themselves, such as cask ale or gluten-free beer.[2][3][4]

Beer terms such as ale or lager cover a wide variety of beer styles, and are better thought of as broad categories of beer styles. A number of ethnic beers, such as chhaang and cauim, are generally not included on beer style groupings.[5]

Classic styles

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Term Michael Jackson[6] Roger Protz[7] Brewers Association[8] CAMRA[9] BJCP[10]
Altbier Altbier[11] Altbier German-Style Altbier Altbier
Amber ale Amber ale[12] American-Style Amber/Red Ale American Amber Ale
Barley wine Barley wine[13] Barley wine British-Style Barley Wine Ale
American-Style Barley Wine Ale
Barley Wine[14] English Barleywine
American Barleywine
Berliner Weisse Berliner Weisse[15] Berliner Weisse Berliner-Style Weisse Berliner Weisse
Bière de Garde Bière de Garde[16] Bière de garde French-Style Bière de Garde Bière de Garde
Bitter Bitter[17] Bitter Ordinary Bitter
Special or Best Bitter
Extra Special Bitter
Bitter[18] Ordinary Bitter
Best Bitter
Strong Bitter
Blonde Ale Golden or Blonde Ale
Belgian-Style Blonde Ale
Blonde Ale
Bock Bok, Bock[19] Bock Traditional German-Style Bock Helles Bock/Dunkles Bock
Brown ale Brown Ale[20][21] Brown ale English-Style Brown Ale
American-Style Brown Ale
British Brown Ale
American Brown Ale
London Brown Ale (Historical)
California Common/Steam Beer Steam beer[22] Steam beer California Common Beer California Common
Cream Ale Cream Ale[23] American-Style Cream Ale Cream Ale
Dortmunder Export Export[24] Dortmunder Export Dortmunder/European-Style Export German Helles Exportbier
Doppelbock Doppelbock / "Double" bock[25] Doppelbock German-Style Doppelbock Doppelbock
Dunkel Dunkel/Dunkles[26] Dunkel Münchner Dunkel
European-Style Dark Lager
Munich Dunkel
Dunkelweizen Dunkel Weizen[27] South German-Style Dunkel Weizen Dunkles Weissbier
Eisbock Eisbock[28] German-Style Eisbock Eisbock
Flanders red ale Red beers[29] Belgian-Style Flanders Oud Bruin or Oud Red Ale Flanders Red Ale
Golden/Summer ale English-Style Summer Ale
Golden or Blonde Ale
Golden Ales[30] British Golden Ale
Gose Leipzig-Style Gose
Contemporary Gose
Gose (Historical)
Gueuze Gueuze[31] Gueuze Belgian-Style Gueuze Lambic Gueuze
Hefeweizen Hefeweizen South German-Style Hefeweizen
Helles Hell[32] Helles Münchner (Munich)-Style Helles Munich Helles
India pale ale India Pale Ale (IPA)[33] India Pale Ales (IPA) English-Style India Pale Ale
American-Style India Pale Ale
Session India Pale Ale
Imperial or Double India Pale Ale
India Pale Ale[34]

English IPA
American IPA
Specialty IPA
Double IPA

New England IPA

Triple IPA

Kölsch Kolsch[35] Kölsch German-Style Kölsch Kölsch
Lambic Lambic[36][37] Lambic Belgian-Style Lambic
Belgian-Style Fruit Lambic
Lambic
Fruit Lambic
Light ale Light Ale[38] Light Bitters[39]
Maibock/Helles bock Maibock[40] Maibock German-Style Heller Bock/Maibock Helles Bock
Malt liquor Malt Liquor[41] American-Style Malt Liquor
Mild Mild[42] Mild ale English-Style Pale Mild Ale
English-Style Dark Mild Ale
Mild[43] Dark Mild
Oktoberfestbier/Märzenbier Marzen[44] Oktoberfest beers German-Style Maerzen
German-Style Oktoberfest/Wiesn
Festbier
Märzen
Old ale Old (Ale)[45] Old ale Old Ale Old Ale[46] Old Ale
Oud bruin Brown Beers[21] Oud bruin Belgian-Style Flanders Oud Bruin or Oud Red Ale Oud Bruin
Pale ale Pale Ale[47] Pale ale Classic English-Style Pale Ale
American-Style Pale Ale
American-Style Strong Pale Ale
Belgian-Style Pale Ale
Australian-Style Pale Ale
International-Style Pale Ale
Pale Ale[34] American Pale Ale
Belgian Pale Ale
Pilsener/Pilsner/Pils Pilsener/Pilsner/Pils[48] Pilsner German-Style Pilsener
Bohemian-Style Pilsener
American-Style Pilsener
International-Style Pilsener
American Lager
International Pale Lager
Czech Pale Lager
Czech Premium Pale Lager
German Pils
Porter Porter[49] Porter Brown Porter
Robust Porter
American-Style Imperial Porter
Smoke Porter
Baltic-Style Porter
Porter[50] Baltic Porter
English Porter
American Porter
Pre-Prohibition Porter (Historical)
Red ale Irish-Style Red Ale
American-Style Amber/Red Ale
Double Red Ale
Imperial Red Ale
Irish Red Ale
Roggenbier German-Style Rye Ale Roggenbier (Historical)
Saison Saison[51] Saison Classic French & Belgian-Style Saison
Specialty Saison
Saison
Scotch ale Scotch Ale[52] Scotch ale Scotch Ale Scottish Beers[53] Wee Heavy
Stout Sweet Stout[54]
Dry Stout[54]
Imperial Stout[54]
Stout Sweet Stout or Cream Stout
Oatmeal Stout
British-Style Imperial Stout
Classic Irish-Style Dry Stout
Export-Style Stout
American-Style Stout
American-Style Imperial Stout
Stout[50] Irish Stout
Irish Extra Stout
Sweet Stout
Oatmeal Stout
Tropical Stout
Foreign Extra Stout
American Stout
Imperial Stout
Schwarzbier Schwarzbier[55] German-Style Schwarzbier Schwarzbier
Vienna lager Vienna[56] Vienna-Style Lager Vienna Lager
Witbier Witbier[57] Belgian-Style Witbier Witbier
Weissbier Weisse/Weissbier, Weizenbier[27] South German-Style Kristal Weizen
German-Style Leichtes Weizen
South German-Style Bernsteinfarbenes Weizen
Weissbier
Weizenbock Weizenbock[27] South German-Style Weizenbock Weizenbock

Hybrid and specialty styles

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Term Brewers Association[8] BJCP[10]
Fruit beer

American-Style Fruit Beer
Fruit Wheat Beer
Belgian-Style Fruit Beer

Fruit Beer
Fruit and Spice Beer
Specialty Fruit Beer

Herb and spiced beer

Chili Pepper Beer
Chocolate or Cocoa Beer
Coffee Beer
Herb and Spice Beer

Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Beer
Autumn Seasonal Beer
Winter Seasonal Beer

Honey beer Specialty Honey Beer Alternative sugar beer
Rye Beer Rye Beer Alternative grain beer
Smoked beer Smoke Beer Classic Style Smoked Beer
Specialty Smoked Beer
Vegetable beer

Field Beer
Pumpkin Spice Beer
Pumpkin/Squash Beer

Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Beer
Wild beer

Brett Beer
Mixed-Culture Brett Beer
Wild Beer

Brett Beer
Mixed-Fermentation Sour Beer
Wild Specialty Beer

Wood-aged beer Wood- and Barrel-Aged Beer
Wood- and Barrel-Aged Pale to Amber Beer
Wood- and Barrel-Aged Dark Beer
Wood- and Barrel-Aged Strong Beer
Wood- and Barrel-Aged Sour Beer
Wood-Aged Beer
Specialty Wood-Aged Beer

Origin

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An alternative approach is to categorize beers by the country or region from which they originated. Both the Brewers Association and the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) group their beer styles in this way. Beers that originated in a particular country or region may be subsequently produced in other countries, e.g. British style ales are now brewed in North America.

Country or Region Brewers Association[8] BJCP[10]
Great Britain British Origin Ale Styles British Bitter
Brown British Beer
Scottish Ale
Dark British Beer
Strong British Ale
Ireland Irish Origin Ale Styles Irish Beer
North America North American Origin Ale Styles
North American Origin Lager Styles
Standard American Beer
Pale American Ale
Amber and Brown American Ale
American Porter and Stout
Strong American Ale
American Wild Ale
Belgium Belgian and French Origin Ale Styles Belgian Ale
Strong Belgian Ale
Czech Republic Czech Lager
France Belgian and French Origin Ale Styles
Germany German Origin Ale Styles
European-Germanic Origin Lager Styles
German Wheat Beer
Europe Pale Malty European Lager
Pale Bitter European Lager
Amber Malty European Lager
Amber Bitter European Lager
Dark European Lager
Strong European Beer
European Sour Ale
Other Other Origin Ale Styles
Other Origin Lager Styles
International Lager
Pale Commonwealth Beer

Other fermented drinks based on cereals

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A number of ethnic beers or other fermented drinks based on cereals are generally not included on beer style groupings.[5] They are included here for completeness.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter – How to save a beer style
  2. ^ "Brewing Awards – Welcome to Brewing Awards". www.brewingawards.org. Archived from the original on 2009-08-26. Retrieved 2009-08-24.
  3. ^ "World Beer Cup – Competition Info". www.beertown.org. Archived from the original on 2006-05-16. Retrieved 2009-08-24.
  4. ^ "BJCP 2008 Style Guidelines – Category 21". www.bjcp.org. Retrieved 2009-08-24.
  5. ^ a b "Ethnic Beer Focus". thedrinksbusiness.com. 26 Nov 2010.
  6. ^ "Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter – Beer Styles". www.beerhunter.com. Retrieved 2009-08-22.
  7. ^ The Taste of Beer: A Guide to Appreciating the Great Beers of the World, Roger Protz, Orion Books Limited, 1998 ISBN 0-7538-0725-4
  8. ^ a b c "Brewers Association Beer Style Guidelines". www.brewersassociation.org. Brewers Association. Retrieved 2017-01-18.
  9. ^ "Different Styles – CAMRA". www.camra.org.uk. Retrieved 2009-08-22.
  10. ^ a b c "2015 BJCP Style Guidelines" (PDF). www.bjcp.org. Retrieved 2017-01-18.
  11. ^ "Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter – Beer Styles: Altbier". www.beerhunter.com. Retrieved 2009-08-22.
  12. ^ "Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter – James Squire Amber Ale". www.beerhunter.com. Retrieved 2009-08-22.
  13. ^ "Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter – Beer Styles: Barley wine". www.beerhunter.com. Retrieved 2009-08-22.
  14. ^ "Barley wine – CAMRA". www.camra.org.uk. Retrieved 2009-08-22.
  15. ^ "Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter – Beer Styles: Berliner Weisse". www.beerhunter.com. Retrieved 2009-08-22.
  16. ^ "Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter – Beer Styles: Biere de Garde". www.beerhunter.com. Retrieved 2009-08-22.
  17. ^ "Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter – Beer Styles: Bitter". www.beerhunter.com. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  18. ^ "Bitter – CAMRA". www.camra.org.uk. Retrieved 2009-08-22.
  19. ^ "Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter – Beer Styles: Bok, Bock". www.beerhunter.com. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  20. ^ "Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter – Beer Styles: Brown Ale". www.beerhunter.com. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  21. ^ a b "Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter – Belgium's Great Beers". www.beerhunter.com. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  22. ^ "Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter – Beer Styles: Steam Beer". www.beerhunter.com. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  23. ^ "Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter – Beer Styles: Cream Ale". www.beerhunter.com. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  24. ^ "Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter – Beer Styles: Export". www.beerhunter.com. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  25. ^ "Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter – Beer Styles: Doppelbock "Double" bock". www.beerhunter.com. Retrieved 2009-08-22.
  26. ^ "Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter – Beer Styles: Dunkel/Dunkles". www.beerhunter.com. Retrieved 2009-08-22.
  27. ^ a b c "Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter – Beer Styles: Weisse/Weissbier, Weizenbier". www.beerhunter.com. Retrieved 2009-08-22.
  28. ^ "Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter – Beer Styles: Eisbock". www.beerhunter.com. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  29. ^ "Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter – Belgium's Great Beers". www.beerhunter.com. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  30. ^ "Golden Ales – CAMRA". www.camra.org.uk. Retrieved 2009-08-22.
  31. ^ "Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter – Beer Styles: Gueuze". www.beerhunter.com. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  32. ^ "Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter – Beer Styles: Hell". www.beerhunter.com. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  33. ^ "Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter – Beer Styles: India Pale Ale (IPA)". www.beerhunter.com. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  34. ^ a b "Pale Ale or IPA – CAMRA". www.camra.org.uk. Retrieved 2009-08-22.
  35. ^ "Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter – Beer Styles: Kolsch". www.beerhunter.com. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  36. ^ "Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter – Beer Styles: Lambic". www.beerhunter.com. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  37. ^ "Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter – Belgium's Great Beers". www.beerhunter.com. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  38. ^ "Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter – Beer Styles: Light Ale". www.beerhunter.com. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  39. ^ "Light Bitters – CAMRA". www.camra.org.uk. Retrieved 2009-08-22.
  40. ^ "Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter – Beer Styles: Maibock". www.beerhunter.com. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  41. ^ "Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter – Beer Styles: Malt Liquor". www.beerhunter.com. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  42. ^ "Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter – Beer Styles: Mild". www.beerhunter.com. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  43. ^ "Mild – CAMRA". www.camra.org.uk. Retrieved 2009-08-22.
  44. ^ "Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter – Beer Styles: Marzen". www.beerhunter.com. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  45. ^ "Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter – Beer Styles: Old (Ale)". www.beerhunter.com. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  46. ^ "Old Ale – CAMRA". www.camra.org.uk. Retrieved 2009-08-22.
  47. ^ "Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter – Beer Styles: Pale Ale". www.beerhunter.com. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  48. ^ "Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter – Beer Styles: Pilsener/Pilsner/Pils". www.beerhunter.com. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  49. ^ "Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter – Beer Styles: Porter". www.beerhunter.com. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  50. ^ a b "Porter & Stout – CAMRA". www.camra.org.uk. Retrieved 2009-08-22.
  51. ^ "Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter – Beer Styles: Saison". www.beerhunter.com. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  52. ^ "Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter – Beer Styles: Scotch Ale". www.beerhunter.com. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  53. ^ "Scottish Beers – CAMRA". www.camra.org.uk. Retrieved 2009-08-22.
  54. ^ a b c "Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter – Beer Styles: Stout". www.beerhunter.com. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  55. ^ "Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter – Beer Styles: Schwarzbier". www.beerhunter.com. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  56. ^ "Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter – Beer Styles: Vienna". www.beerhunter.com. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  57. ^ "Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter – Beer Styles: Witbier". www.beerhunter.com. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
  58. ^ "2015 Mead Style Guidelines" (PDF). www.bjcp.org. Retrieved 2017-12-12.
  59. ^ "Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter – Sahti – rural beer with a great Finnish". www.beerhunter.com. Retrieved 2008-08-03.
  60. ^ World of Beer Archived 2011-07-07 at the Wayback Machine

Bibliography

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