Malt aroma & flavor
Very low to medium
All Origin Hybrid/Mixed Lagers or Ales
Ginjo Beer or Sake-Yeast Beer
Mixed / specialty · Pale to dark brown
What to expect
Malt character: Very low to medium. Hop character: Low to medium and in harmony with sake-like character.
Reading guide · The complete guideline attributes below preserve the source’s qualifications.Color · SRM
4–20
Pale / strawBlack
Pale to dark brown · Illustrative colors on the shared, uneven SRM scale.
Explore styles overlapping this color rangeAlcohol · ABV
4.3–10.2%
Reference scale, not a limit on official guideline values.
Bitterness · IBU
12–35
Measured bitterness; perceived bitterness is described in the guideline below.
Brewers Association 2026 · Printed guideline page 57 · PDF page 66. Color graphics are illustrative.
The guideline, in detail
Official style attributes, including what may be present and what should be absent.
Hop aroma & flavor
Low to medium and in harmony with sake-like character
Perceived bitterness
Low to medium and in harmony with sake-like character
Body & mouthfeel
Varies depending on original gravity. Mouthfeel also varies.
Clarity
Slight chill haze is acceptable
Color
Pale to dark brown
Fermentation characteristics
These beers are brewed with sake yeast or sake (koji) enzymes. The unique byproducts of sake yeast and koji enzymes should be distinctive and in harmony with other elements. Sake character may best be described as having mild fruitiness and mild earthiness expressed as mushroom or umami protein-like attributes. A high amount of alcohol may be evident.
Additional guideline notes & competition context
High carbonation should be present.
Technical specifications, including gravity
Original Gravity (°Plato) 1.040-1.090 (10-21.6 °Plato) • Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (°Plato) 1.008- 1.020 (2.1-5 °Plato) • Alcohol by Weight (Volume) 3.4%-8.2% (4.3%-10.2%) • Hop Bitterness (IBU) 12- 35 • Color SRM (EBC) 4-20 (8-40 EBC)