The style library

Browse all 169 styles.

Your discovery controls, with the complete matching library below.

Taste Start with character

Beer Spectrum taste profiles · editorial browsing aids

Color · SRM

Pale at top, dark at bottom. Down increases SRM; Up decreases it. Right increases, Left decreases. Shift makes larger steps. The top numeric endpoint is an open filter bound.

0–100+

Exact values
Exact SRM selection

Alcohol · ABV

Higher values at top. Up increases the value; Down decreases it. Right increases, Left decreases. Shift makes larger steps. The top numeric endpoint is an open filter bound.

0.0–25.0+%

Exact values
Exact ABV selection

Bitterness · IBU

Higher values at top. Up increases the value; Down decreases it. Right increases, Left decreases. Shift makes larger steps. The top numeric endpoint is an open filter bound.

0–120+

Exact values
Exact IBU selection

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All 169 styles. Start anywhere.

169 matching styles

Measurement filters match overlapping guideline ranges, not individual beers.

Matching styles · Official ranges · BA 2026

Ale · Other

Adambier

Toast and caramel malt aroma and flavor may be present.

Mixed / specialty · All

Aged Beer

Malt, hops, and body depend on the underlying style or ingredients. Read the guideline details for the character that defines this category.

Ale · North American

American-Belgo-Style Ale

Malt character: Typically low. Hop character: Medium to very high, exhibiting American-type hop aromas not usually found in traditional Belgian styles.

Hop forward
Lager · North American

American-Style Amber Lager

Low to medium-low caramel or toasted malt aromas and flavors should be present

Malt & toast
Ale · North American

American-Style Amber/Red Ale

Medium-high to high maltiness with low to medium caramel character

Ale · North American

American-Style Barley Wine Ale

Caramel or toffee malt aroma attributes are often present.

Hop forward
Ale · North American

American-Style Black Ale

Low to medium-low caramel malt and dark roasted malt aromas and flavors are present.

Hop forward
Ale · North American

American-Style Brown Ale

Medium levels of roasted malt, caramel, and chocolate aromas and flavors should be present.

Hop forward
Mixed / specialty · All

American-Style Cream Ale

The dominant flavor is of pale malt sweetness at medium-low to medium levels.

Crisp & pale
Lager · North American

American-Style Dark Lager

Low to medium malt aroma and flavor may include low levels of caramel, chocolate, or roast.

Mixed / specialty · All

American-Style Fruit Beer

Malt character: Not present to medium-low. Hop character: Not present to medium-low.

Ale · North American

American-Style Fruited Sour Ale

Malt character: Low. Hop character: None to high.

Tart & funky
Ale · North American

American-Style Imperial or Double India Pale Ale

Malt character: Low to medium pale malt character is typical. Hop character: High to intense, exhibiting a wide range of attributes including floral, piney, citrus, fruity (berry, tropical, stone fruit, and other), sulfur, diesel-like, onion-garlic, catty, resinous, and many others. Hop character should be fresh and evident, and should not be harsh.

Hop forward
Ale · North American

American-Style Imperial Porter

No roast barley or strong burnt/black malt character should be present.

Hop forward
Ale · North American

American-Style Imperial Stout

Extremely rich malty flavor with full sweet malt character is typical.

Hop forwardDark & roasty
Ale · North American

American-Style India Pale Ale

Medium-low to medium intensity malt attributes are present in aroma and flavor

Hop forward
Lager · North American

American-Style India Pale Lager

Medium-low to medium, exhibiting bready, cracker-like, or other attributes typical of pale malts

Hop forward
Lager · North American

American-Style Lager

Malt sweetness is very low to low. Hop character: Not present to very low.

Crisp & pale
Lager · North American

American-Style Light Lager

Malt character: Very low. Hop character: Absent to very low.

Crisp & pale
Lager · North American

American-Style Maerzen/Oktoberfest

Sweet maltiness should be present, expressed as a light toasted character.

Lager · North American

American-Style Malt Liquor

Malt character: Some malt sweetness is present. Hop character: Not present.

Ale · North American

American-Style Pale Ale

Malt character: Low caramel malt aroma is allowable. Hop character: High, exhibiting a wide range of attributes including floral, citrus, fruity (berry, tropical, stone fruit and other), sulfur, diesel-like, onion-garlic, catty, piney, resinous, and many others.

Hop forward
Lager · North American

American-Style Pilsener

Malt character: Medium-low to medium. Hop character: Medium to high, exhibiting attributes typical of noble-type hops.

Hop forward
Ale · North American

American-Style Sour Ale

Malt character: Low. Hop character: None to high.

Tart & funky
Ale · North American

American-Style Stout

Coffee-like roasted barley and roasted malt aromas are prominent.

Hop forwardDark & roasty
Ale · North American

American-Style Strong Pale Ale

Malt character: Low caramel malt aroma is allowable. Hop character: High to very high, exhibiting a wide range of attributes including floral, citrus, fruity (berry, tropical, stone fruit and other), sulfur, diesel-like, onion-garlic, catty, piney, resinous, and many others.

Hop forward
Mixed / specialty · All

American-Style Wheat Beer

Low to medium-low level pale malt attributes are present in paler versions.

Hop forwardWheat styles
Ale · North American

American-Style Wheat Wine Ale

Any of bready, wheat, honey or caramel malt aroma and flavor attributes are often present.

Wheat styles
Ale · Other

Australian-Style Pale Ale

Malt character: Very low to medium. Hop character: Medium-low to medium-high, exhibiting attributes typical of modern hop varieties including any of tropical fruit, mango, passionfruit, or stone fruit.

Hop forward
Lager · European

Baltic-Style Porter

Malt sweetness is medium-low to medium-high. Hop character: Very low. Floral hop aroma can complement aromatics.

Dark & roasty
Lager · European

Bamberg-Style Bock Rauchbier

Medium to medium-high malt aroma and flavor should be present with very low to medium-high beechwood smoke aromas and flavors.

Lager · European

Bamberg-Style Helles Rauchbier

Malt character is prominent with malt aromas suggesting lightly toasted sweet, malted barley.

Lager · European

Bamberg-Style Maerzen Rauchbier

Malt character: Sweet toasted malt aroma should be present. Hop character: Hop aroma and flavor is very low to low, derived from noble-type hops.

Ale · German

Bamberg-Style Weiss Rauchbier

In darker versions, a detectable degree of roast malt may be present without being aggressive.

Ale · Belgian/French

Belgian-Style Blonde Ale

Malt character: Low to medium. Hop character: Very low to medium. Noble-type hops are commonly used.

Ale · Belgian/French

Belgian-Style Dubbel

Any of cocoa, dark or dried fruit, or caramel aroma attributes should be present along with malty sweetness.

Malt & toast
Mixed / specialty · All

Belgian-Style Fruit Beer

Malt character: Can vary from not perceived to medium-high. Hop character: Low to high.

Hop forward
Ale · Belgian/French

Belgian-Style Fruit Lambic

Malt sweetness should be absent, but sweetness of fruit may be low to high.

Tart & funky
Ale · Belgian/French

Belgian-Style Lambic

Malt character: Sweet malt character should not be present. Hop character: Not present to very low, and can include floral or other attributes. Hop character is achieved by using stale and aged hops.

Tart & funky
Ale · Belgian/French

Belgian-Style Quadrupel

Caramel, dark sugar and malty sweet flavors and aromas can be intense, but not cloying, and should complement fruitiness.

Ale · Belgian/French

Belgian-Style Session Ale

Very low to low, exhibiting a wide range of malt-derived attributes

Ale · Belgian/French

Belgian-Style Speciale Belge

Caramel or lightly toasted malt integrates with the fermentation character. Hops and perceived bitterness range from low to medium.

Malt & toast
Ale · Belgian/French

Belgian-Style Strong Blonde Ale

Malt character is low to medium. Hop character: Medium-low to medium-high.

Hop forward
Ale · Belgian/French

Belgian-Style Strong Dark Ale

Medium to high malt aroma and complex fruity aromas are distinctive.

Ale · Belgian/French

Belgian-Style Table Beer

Malt character: Mild malt character may be present. Hop character: Not present to very low.

Ale · Belgian/French

Belgian-Style Tripel

Medium-low to medium malt aroma and sweetness from very pale malts should be present.

Ale · Belgian/French

Belgian-Style Witbier

Malt character: Low with a noticeable wheat character. Hop character: Hop aroma is not present to low. Hop flavor is not present.

Wheat styles
Ale · German

Berliner-Style Weisse

A very light body with no malt sweetness and very little perceived bitterness. Lactic acidity creates a refreshing tart character.

Tart & funkyWheat styles
Ale · Other

Breslau-Style Schoeps

Malt sweetness is medium to medium-high with a pronounced malt character.

Wheat styles
Mixed / specialty · All

Brett Beer

In darker versions, any of roasted malt, caramel or chocolate aroma and flavor attributes are present at low levels.

Hop forwardTart & funky
Ale · British

British-Style Barley Wine Ale

Malt character: Residual malty sweetness is high. Hop character: Hop aroma and flavor are very low to medium. English type hops are often used but are not required for this style.

Ale · British

British-Style Imperial Stout

Extremely rich malty flavor, often expressed as toffee or caramel, and may be accompanied by very low roasted malt astringency.

Dark & roasty
Ale · British

British-Style India Pale Ale

Malt character: Medium malt flavor should be present. Hop character: Medium to high, expressed as floral, herbal, earthy, stone fruit or other attributes from high hopping rates.

Hop forward
Ale · British

Brown Porter

Malt character: Low to medium malt sweetness. Hop character: Very low to medium.

Dark & roasty
Mixed / specialty · All

California Common Beer

Medium level toasted or caramel malt attributes are present.

Mixed / specialty · All

Chili Pepper Beer

Can vary from very low to medium-high depending on the underlying style

Mixed / specialty · All

Chocolate or Cocoa Beer

Medium-low to medium-high malt sweetness balanced with cocoa flavors and aromas

Ale · Other

Classic Australian-Style Pale Ale

Low malt sweetness and other malt attributes are present

Ale · British

Classic English-Style Pale Ale

Malt character: Low to medium malt aroma and flavor is present. Hop character: Medium-low to medium-high, expressed as floral, herbal, earthy, stone fruit or other attributes.

Hop forward
Ale · Belgian/French

Classic French & Belgian-Style Saison

Malt character: Low, but providing foundation for the overall balance. Hop character: Medium to high and characterized by any of floral, herbal, woody or other attributes typical of European-type hops.

Hop forward
Ale · Irish

Classic Irish-Style Dry Stout

Coffee-like roasted barley leads the way. Initial malt and light caramel flavors give way to a distinctive dry-roasted bitterness in the finish.

Dark & roasty
Mixed / specialty · All

Coffee Beer

Malt, hops, and body depend on the underlying style or ingredients. Read the guideline details for the character that defines this category.

Hop forward
Lager · North American

Contemporary American-Style Lager

Malt sweetness and aroma are very low to low. Hop character: Very low to low.

Crisp & pale
Lager · North American

Contemporary American-Style Light Lager

Malt character: Very low but present. Hop character: Low to medium-low and can exhibit wide range of hop profiles.

Lager · North American

Contemporary American-Style Pilsener

Malt character: Medium-low to medium. Hop character: Medium to high. While traditional versions exhibit attributes typical of noble-type hops, contemporary versions will exhibit attributes typical of a wide range of hop varieties.

Hop forward
Ale · Belgian/French

Contemporary Belgian-Style Spontaneous Fermented Ale

Malt character: Sweet malt character is not present. Hop character: Not present to low and can include floral or other attributes typical of aged or unaged hops.

Tart & funky
Ale · German

Contemporary-Style Gose

Malt aroma and flavor is not present to very low. Hop character: Very low to low.

Tart & funky
Lager · European

Czech-Style Amber Lager

Medium to medium-high complex malt flavor and aroma with biscuit, cracker, toast and/or light caramel flavors present.

Lager · European

Czech-Style Dark Lager

Medium to medium-high with a slightly sweet rich complex malt character and may include aromas and flavors of crystal malt, bread/toast, caramel/caramel malts, chocolate.

Lager · European

Czech-Style Pale Lager

A slightly sweet and toasted, biscuity, bready malt aroma and flavor is present.

Mixed / specialty · All

Dessert Stout or Pastry Beer

Malt character: Extremely rich malty aroma and flavor is typical. Hop character: If present, very low.

Lager · European

Dortmunder/European-Style Export

Sweet, bready and/or biscuity malt character should be low and should not be caramelly

Ale · North American

Double Hoppy Red Ale

Medium to medium-high caramel malt character should be present in flavor and aroma.

Hop forward
Ale · Other

Dutch-Style Kuit, Kuyt or Koyt

Malt character: The aroma is grainy or grainy-bready. Hop character: Very low to low from noble hops or other traditional European varieties.

Wheat styles
Ale · British

English-Style Brown Ale

Roast malt may contribute to a biscuit or toasted aroma profile.

Malt & toast
Ale · British

English-Style Dark Mild Ale

Malt attributes such as caramel, licorice, roast or others may be present in aroma and flavor.

Malt & toast
Ale · British

English-Style Pale Mild Ale

Malt flavor and aroma dominate the flavor profile. Hop character: Very low to low.

Malt & toast
Ale · British

English-Style Summer Ale

Malt character: Residual malt sweetness is low to medium. Hop character: Low to medium, expressed as floral, herbal, earthy, stone fruit, citrus or other attributes. Hop flavor should not be assertive and should be well balanced with malt character.

Lager · European

European-Style Dark Lager

Low to medium with chocolate, roast, and malt aromas and flavors present.

Mixed / specialty · All

Experimental Beer

Malt, hops, and body depend on the underlying style or ingredients. Read the guideline details for the character that defines this category.

Mixed / specialty · All

Experimental India Pale Ale

Very low to medium-low malt aroma and flavor may be present, and may exhibit attributes typical of various adjuncts and specialty malts

Hop forward
Ale · Irish

Export-Style Stout

Coffee-like roasted barley and roasted malt aromas are prominent.

Dark & roasty
Ale · British

Extra Special Bitter

Malt character: Medium to medium-high. Hop character: Medium to medium-high.

Hop forward
Mixed / specialty · All

Field Beer

Malt character: Very low to medium-high. Hop character: Very low to medium-high.

Ale · Other

Finnish-Style Sahti

Malt aroma is medium-low to medium. Hop character: Not present to very low.

Lager · European

Franconian-Style Rotbier

Characterized by malty aroma and light malt sweetness, which should have a lightly toasted and/or caramel malt character.

Malt & toast
Ale · Belgian/French

French-Style Bière de Garde

These beers are characterized by a toasted malt aroma and flavor, and a slight malt sweetness.

Mixed / specialty · All

Fresh Hop Beer

Malt, hops, and body depend on the underlying style or ingredients. Read the guideline details for the character that defines this category.

Mixed / specialty · All

Fruit Wheat Beer

Malt character: Low to medium-low. Hop character: Low to medium.

Wheat styles
Ale · German

German-Style Altbier

A variety of malts contribute to medium-low to medium malt aroma and flavor.

Lager · European

German-Style Doppelbock

Pronounced aromas and flavors of toasted malted barley.

Malt & toast
Lager · European

German-Style Eisbock

Malt character: Sweet malt character is very high. Hop character: Hop aroma and flavor is absent.

Lager · European

German-Style Heller Bock/Maibock

Light toasty or bready aroma and flavor attributes are often present.

Ale · German

German-Style Koelsch

Malt character is very low to low with soft sweetness. Hop character: Low and, if present, should express noble hop character.

Crisp & pale
Lager · European

German-Style Leichtbier

Malt character: Low to medium. Hop character: Low to medium.

Ale · German

German-Style Leichtes Weizen

Malt character: Very low to medium-low. Hop character: Not present to very low.

Wheat styles
Lager · European

German-Style Maerzen

Bready or biscuity malt aroma and flavor should be present.

Malt & toast
Lager · European

German-Style Oktoberfest/Festbier

Malt character: Clean, sweet, bready malt profile is low to medium-low. Hop character: Medium-low to medium.

Crisp & paleMalt & toast
Lager · European

German-Style Pilsener

Low malt sweetness and pronounced noble-hop character, with medium to high perceived bitterness. Bready or light biscuit notes may be present.

Crisp & pale
Ale · German

German-Style Rye Ale

In darker versions, malt aromas and flavors can optionally include low level roasted malt characters expressed as any of cocoa-chocolate, caramel, toffee, or biscuit attributes.

Lager · European

German-Style Schwarzbier

Medium malt aroma displays a mild roasted malt character.

Mixed / specialty · All

Ginjo Beer or Sake-Yeast Beer

Malt character: Very low to medium. Hop character: Low to medium and in harmony with sake-like character.

Mixed / specialty · All

Gluten-Free Beer

Malt, hops, and body depend on the underlying style or ingredients. Read the guideline details for the character that defines this category.

Ale · North American

Golden or Blonde Ale

Gentle malt sweetness and toast or cereal-like notes, with hops present but not dominant. A low to medium body finishes crisp.

Crisp & pale
Ale · Other

Grodziskie

Malt character: Oak-smoked wheat malt comprises the entire grain bill. Hop character: Aroma and flavor of noble hops range from low to medium low. Should be slightly lower or equal to intensity of smoke aroma.

Mixed / specialty · All

Herb and Spice Beer

Malt, hops, and body depend on the underlying style or ingredients. Read the guideline details for the character that defines this category.

Mixed / specialty · All

Historical Beer

Malt, hops, and body depend on the underlying style or ingredients. Read the guideline details for the character that defines this category.

Ale · North American

Imperial Red Ale

Medium to high caramel malt character is present in aroma and flavor

Hop forward
Lager · Other

International Light Lager

Malt sweetness is absent. Hop character: Not present to very low.

Crisp & pale
Ale · Other

International-Style Pale Ale

Very low to medium malt flavor and aroma should be present.

Hop forward
Lager · Other

International-Style Pilsener

A malty sweet aroma and flavor may be present at low levels, along with adjunct flavors from corn, rice, wheat or other grains.

Crisp & pale
Ale · Irish

Irish-Style Red Ale

Low to medium candy-like caramel malt sweetness should be present in flavor.

Malt & toast
Lager · European

Italian-Style Pilsener

A malty sweet aroma and flavor should be present at low levels.

Ale · North American

Juicy or Hazy Imperial or Double India Pale Ale

Malt character: Low to high malt aroma and flavor may be present. Hop character: High to intense, exhibiting a very wide range of attributes, especially fruity, tropical, juicy, and many others.

Hop forward
Ale · North American

Juicy or Hazy India Pale Ale

Intense hop aroma and flavor, especially fruity, tropical, and juicy notes. Perceived bitterness is soft and low to medium; a silky or full mouthfeel may contribute.

Hop forward
Ale · North American

Juicy or Hazy Pale Ale

Malt character: Low to medium-low malt aroma and flavor may be present. Hop character: Medium-high to very high hop aroma and flavor are present, exhibiting a very wide range of attributes, especially fruity, tropical, juicy, and many others.

Hop forward
Ale · North American

Juicy or Hazy Strong Pale Ale

Malt character: Low to medium-low malt aroma and flavor may be present. Hop character: Medium-high to very high hop aroma and flavor are present, exhibiting a very wide range of attributes, especially fruity, tropical, juicy, and many others.

Hop forward
Mixed / specialty · All

Kellerbier or Zwickelbier

Malt, hops, and body depend on the underlying style or ingredients. Read the guideline details for the character that defines this category.

Mixed / specialty · All

Kentucky Common Beer

Malt character: Medium-low to medium. Hop character: Low to medium. May exhibit floral or spicy attributes typical of early 20th century North American hop varieties.

Ale · German

Leipzig-Style Gose

Malt sweetness and attributes are not present to very low

Tart & funky
Lager · North American

Mexican-Style Amber Lager

Medium-low to medium-high caramel and bready malt aroma and flavor; light roast and light corn and/or rice flavors may be present.

Lager · North American

Mexican-Style Dark Lager

Medium to medium-high complex bready, toasty malt aroma and sweetness from addition of darker specialty malts; light caramel, toast, nutty, and/or toffee flavors may be present.

Lager · North American

Mexican-Style Light Lager

Low to medium-low pale malt sweetness and aroma may be present.

Crisp & pale
Lager · North American

Mexican-Style Pale Lager

Low to medium-low pale malt sweetness and aroma may be present.

Crisp & pale
Mixed / specialty · All

Mixed-Culture Brett Beer

In darker versions, any of roasted malt, caramel, or chocolate aroma and flavor attributes are present at low levels.

Hop forwardTart & funky
Lager · European

Munich-Style Dunkel

Dark Munich malt contributes chocolate, bread, or biscuit character. Roast, when present, should stay very low; hops are restrained.

Malt & toast
Lager · European

Munich-Style Helles

Pronounced malt character, restrained noble hops, and low bitterness. Light biscuit notes may be present, with no caramel character.

Crisp & pale
Ale · Other

New Zealand-Style India Pale Ale

Low to medium intensity malt attributes are present in aroma and flavor

Hop forward
Ale · Other

New Zealand-Style Pale Ale

Malt character: Very low to medium. Hop character: Medium to medium-high, exhibiting attributes including any of tropical fruit, passionfruit, stone fruit, cut grass, or diesel.

Hop forward
Mixed / specialty · All

Non-Alcohol Malt Beverage

A beer-style malt beverage with less than 0.5% alcohol by volume. Flavor, body, color, and measured bitterness depend on the underlying style.

Ale · British

Oatmeal Stout

Coffee, caramel, roasted malt, or chocolate aromas should be prominent.

Dark & roasty
Ale · British

Old Ale

Fruity esters can enhance and complement the malt aroma and flavor profile.

Ale · British

Ordinary Bitter

Low to medium malt sweetness, restrained hop aroma and flavor, and medium perceived bitterness. Fruity esters are acceptable, with a low to medium body.

Ale · Belgian/French

Other Belgian-Style Ale

Malt perception may vary widely. Hop character: May vary widely.

Mixed / specialty · All

Other Strong Ale or Lager

Malt, hops, and body depend on the underlying style or ingredients. Read the guideline details for the character that defines this category.

Mixed / specialty · All

Pumpkin Spice Beer

Can vary from low to medium-high depending on the underlying style

Mixed / specialty · All

Pumpkin/Squash Beer

Can vary from low to medium-high depending on the underlying style

Lager · Other

Rice Lager

A subtle malty sweet aroma and flavor may be present at low levels.

Crisp & pale
Ale · British

Robust Porter

Malt character: Medium to medium-high. Hop character: Very low to medium.

Dark & roasty
Mixed / specialty · All

Rye Beer

In darker versions, malt aromas and flavors can optionally include low roasted malt character expressed as cocoa/chocolate or caramel.

Hop forward
Ale · British

Scotch Ale or Wee Heavy

Scotch Ales are aggressively malty with a rich and dominant sweet malt aroma and flavor.

Malt & toast
Ale · British

Scottish-Style Export Ale

Sweet malt and caramel aromas and flavors define the character of a Scottish Export

Malt & toast
Ale · British

Scottish-Style Heavy Ale

Malt character: Malty, caramel aroma is present. Hop character: Should not be present.

Malt & toast
Ale · British

Scottish-Style Light Ale

Malt character: Malty, caramel aroma may be present. Hop character: Should not be present.

Malt & toast
Mixed / specialty · All

Session Beer

Malt attributes should mimic the classic style upon which the beer is based, but at lower overall intensity due to lower original gravity.

Ale · North American

Session India Pale Ale

A low to medium maltiness should be present in aroma and flavor.

Hop forward
Mixed / specialty · All

Smoke Beer

Malt, hops, and body depend on the underlying style or ingredients. Read the guideline details for the character that defines this category.

Ale · North American

Smoke Porter

Smoked porters will exhibit mild to assertive smoke malt aroma and flavor in balance with other aroma attributes.

Ale · German

South German-Style Bernsteinfarbenes Weizen

Distinct sweet maltiness and caramel or bread-like character arises from the use of medium-colored malts.

Wheat styles
Ale · German

South German-Style Dunkel Weizen

Distinct sweet maltiness and a chocolate-like character from dark or roasted malts exemplify beers in this style.

Wheat styles
Ale · German

South German-Style Hefeweizen

A wheat beer with banana-like fruity esters and clove-like phenolic character. Hop aroma and flavor stay very low or absent, with a medium to full body.

Wheat styles
Ale · German

South German-Style Kristal Weizen

Malt sweetness is very low to medium-low. Hop character: Not present to very low.

Wheat styles
Ale · German

South German-Style Weizenbock

Malt character: Medium malty sweetness should be present. Hop character: Not present.

Wheat styles
Ale · British

Special Bitter or Best Bitter

Malt character: Medium residual malt sweetness should be present. Hop character: Very low to medium at the brewer's discretion.

Mixed / specialty · All

Specialty Beer

Malt, hops, and body depend on the underlying style or ingredients. Read the guideline details for the character that defines this category.

Mixed / specialty · All

Specialty Honey Beer

Malt, hops, and body depend on the underlying style or ingredients. Read the guideline details for the character that defines this category.

Ale · Belgian/French

Specialty Saison

Typically low to medium-low, but may vary in beers made with specialty malts.

Hop forward
Ale · British

Strong Ale

Rich malt and caramel sweetness with minimal hop aroma and flavor. Fruity esters can add complexity to this medium to full-bodied strong ale.

Ale · Other

Swedish-Style Gotlandsdricke

Malt character: Medium-low to medium. Hop character: Not present to very low.

Ale · British

Sweet Stout or Cream Stout

Malt character: Medium to medium-high. Hop character: Should not be present.

Dark & roasty
Ale · Belgian/French

Traditional Belgian-Style Gueuze

Malt character: Sweet malt character is not present. Hop character: Not present to very low and can include floral or other attributes.

Lager · European

Traditional German-Style Bock

The malt flavor profile should display a balance of sweetness and toasted or nutty malt, but not caramel.

Malt & toast
Lager · European

Vienna-Style Lager

Characterized by malty aroma and light malt sweetness, which should have a lightly toasted malt and/or caramel character.

Malt & toast
Ale · North American

West Coast-Style India Pale Ale

High to very high hop aroma and flavor, with medium-high to very high bitterness. Malt stays restrained; caramel and roasted malt character should be absent.

Hop forward
Lager · North American

West Coast-Style Pilsener

Malt character: Low to medium. Hop character: Medium-high to very high, exhibiting a wide range of attributes including floral, piney, citrus, fruity (berry, tropical, stone fruit, and other), sulfur, dank, diesel-like, catty, resinous, and many others.

Hop forward
Mixed / specialty · All

Wild Beer

Generally, these beers are highly attenuated resulting in very low to low malt character.

Tart & funky
Mixed / specialty · All

Wood- and Barrel-Aged Beer

An underlying ale, lager, or mixed style shaped by contact with wood. Character and specifications vary; wood flavors are not necessarily present.

Mixed / specialty · All

Wood- and Barrel-Aged Sour Beer

Malt, hops, and body depend on the underlying style or ingredients. Read the guideline details for the character that defines this category.

Tart & funky
All 169 styles · A–Z directory