Malt aroma & flavor
Can vary from very low to medium-high depending on the underlying style
All Origin Hybrid/Mixed Lagers or Ales
Chili Pepper Beer
Mixed / specialty · Can range from pale to very dark depending on the underlying style
What to expect
Can vary from very low to medium-high depending on the underlying style
Reading guide · The complete guideline attributes below preserve the source’s qualifications.Color · SRM
5–50
Pale / strawBlack
Can range from pale to very dark depending on the underlying style · Illustrative colors on the shared, uneven SRM scale.
Explore styles overlapping this color rangeAlcohol · ABV
2.5–13.3%
Reference scale, not a limit on official guideline values.
Bitterness · IBU
5–70
Measured bitterness; perceived bitterness is described in the guideline below.
Brewers Association 2026 · Printed guideline page 53 · PDF page 62. 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 very high
Perceived bitterness
Very low to medium-high
Body & mouthfeel
Representative of underlying style
Clarity
Can range from clear to hazy depending on the underlying beer style
Color
Can range from pale to very dark depending on the underlying style
Fermentation characteristics
Chili pepper aroma and flavor attributes should be harmonious with the underlying beer style. Chili pepper character may be expressed as vegetal, spicy, or hot on the palate.
Additional guideline notes & competition context
Chili Beer is any beer using chili peppers for flavor, aroma, or heat. Chili character can range from subtle to intense. Chili pepper aroma may or may not be present. Within the framework of these guidelines, all beers containing chili peppers are categorized as Chili Beers. A beer made with chili peppers which represents more than one style, such as a chili beer with chocolate for example, should nonetheless be categorized as Chili Beer rather than as Experimental Beer. 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 the underlying beer style upon which the entry is based, or other information unique to the entry such as chili(s) used or processing which influence perceived sensory outcomes.
Technical specifications, including gravity
Original Gravity (°Plato) 1.030-1.110 (7.6-25.9 °Plato) • Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (°Plato) 1.006-1.030 (1.5-7.6 °Plato) • Alcohol by Weight (Volume) 2.0%-10.5% (2.5%-13.3%) • Hop Bitterness (IBU) 5-70 • Color SRM (EBC) 5-50 (10-100 EBC)