Malt aroma & flavor
Very low to low, exhibiting a wide range of malt-derived attributes
Belgian and French Origin Ale Styles
Belgian-Style Session Ale
Ale · May vary widely
What to expect
Very low to low, exhibiting a wide range of malt-derived attributes
Reading guide · The complete guideline attributes below preserve the source’s qualifications.Color · SRM
May vary widely
May vary widely. No numeric color range is assigned.
Pale / strawBlack
May vary widely · Illustrative colors on the shared, uneven SRM scale.
Return to color discoveryAlcohol · ABV
2.1–5.0%
Reference scale, not a limit on official guideline values.
Bitterness · IBU
5–35
Measured bitterness; perceived bitterness is described in the guideline below.
Brewers Association 2026 · Printed guideline page 22 · PDF page 31. Color graphics are illustrative.
The guideline, in detail
Official style attributes, including what may be present and what should be absent.
Hop aroma & flavor
Very low to low, exhibiting a wide range of hop-derived attributes
Perceived bitterness
Very low to low but sufficient to balance other attributes
Body & mouthfeel
Very low to low
Clarity
Chill haze is acceptable at low temperatures
Color
May vary widely
Fermentation characteristics
Phenolic spiciness may be absent or may be present at low levels. Fruity-ester complexity may range from low to medium, in harmony with malt and other attributes. Diacetyl should not be present.
Additional guideline notes & competition context
Beers in this category recognize the uniqueness and traditions of Belgian brewing, but do not hew to any other Belgian-style categories defined in these guidelines. The most notable characteristic that these beers share is a modest alcohol content ranging from 2.1% - 5% abv. These beers can be lower gravity formulations of their own, or can be produced from second run wort from the production of higher gravity beers. Balance is a key component when assessing these beers. Wood-aged or fruited versions will exhibit attributes of wood-aging or fruit(s) in harmony with overall flavor profile. When using these guidelines as the basis for evaluating entries at competitions, brewers may be asked to provide supplemental information about entries in this category to allow for accurate evaluation of diverse entries. Such information might include an underlying Belgian beer style not otherwise defined in these guidelines or other information unique to the entry such as ingredients (fruit(s), etc.) or processing (wood-aging, etc.) which influence perceived sensory outcomes.
Technical specifications, including gravity
Original Gravity (°Plato) 1.018-1.040 (4.5-10 °Plato) • Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (°Plato) 1.002- 1.010 (0.5-2.6 °Plato) • Alcohol by Weight (Volume) 1.7%-4.0% (2.1%-5.0%) • Hop Bitterness (IBU) 5-35 • Color SRM (EBC)