Beer Style Guidelines
The beer community has used styles to group beers of similar color, fragrance, flavor, bitterness, or origin for years. By knowing the style of a beer, you can know what to expect when you enjoy it. Our guidelines are a mix of BJCP and Brewers Association styles so that you can get the best mix of both when trying to mimic a particular beer's style.
Use these beer style guidelines when homebrewing or reviewing a beer's appearance, aroma, taste, and feel. Click on any of the names below to see more detail and learn more.
| Style | Category | IBU | SRM | ABV | Body |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aged Beer | All Hybrid | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies with underlying style |
| American-Style Cream Ale | All Hybrid | 10 - 22 | 2 - 5 | 4.3% - 5.7% | Low |
| American-Style Fruit Beer | All Hybrid | 5 - 70 | 5 - 50 | 2.5% - 12.0% | Varies |
| American-Style Wheat Beer | All Hybrid | 10 - 35 | 2 - 10 | 3.5% - 5.6% | Very low to medium |
| Belgian-Style Fruit Beer | All Hybrid | 5 - 70 | 5 - 50 | 2.5% - 12.0% | Varies |
| Brett Beer | All Hybrid | Varies | Varies | Varies | Low to high |
| California Common Beer | All Hybrid | 35 - 45 | 8 - 15 | 4.6% - 5.7% | Medium |
| Chili Pepper Beer | All Hybrid | 5 - 70 | 5 - 50 | 2.5% - 13.3% | Representative of underlying style |
| Chocolate or Cocoa Beer | All Hybrid | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies with underlying style |
| Coffee Beer | All Hybrid | Varies | Varies | Varies | Reflective of the underlying beer style |
| Experimental Beer | All Hybrid | Varies | Varies | Varies | May vary widely with ingredients used and brewing process |
| Experimental India Pale Ale | All Hybrid | 30 - 100 | 4 - 40 | 6.3% - 10.6% | Very low to medium |
| Field Beer | All Hybrid | 5 - 70 | 5 - 50 | 2.5% - 13.3% | Varies with underlying style |
| Fresh Hop Beer | All Hybrid | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies with underlying style |
| Fruit Wheat Beer | All Hybrid | 10 - 35 | 2 - 10 | 2.5% - 12.0% | Low to medium |
| Ginjo Beer or Sake-Yeast Beer | All Hybrid | 12 - 35 | 4 - 20 | 4.3% - 10.2% | Varies depending on original gravity |
| Gluten-Free Beer | All Hybrid | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies with underlying style |
| Herb and Spice Beer | All Hybrid | 5 - 40 | 5 - 50 | 2.5% - 12.0% | Varies with underlying style |
| Historical Beer | All Hybrid | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies with underlying style |
| Kellerbier or Zwickelbier | All Hybrid | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies depending on underlying style |
| Mixed-Culture Brett Beer | All Hybrid | Varies | Varies | Varies | Low to high |
| Non-Alcohol Malt Beverage | All Hybrid | Varies | Varies | <0.5% | Varies with underlying style |
| Other Strong Ale or Lager | All Hybrid | Varies | Varies | 8% | Varies with underlying style |
| Pumpkin Spice Beer | All Hybrid | 5 - 35 | 5 - 50 | 2.5% - 12.0% | Varies with underlying style |
| Pumpkin/Squash Beer | All Hybrid | 5 - 35 | 5 - 50 | 2.5% - 12.0% | Varies with underlying style |
| Rye Beer | All Hybrid | Varies | Varies | Varies | Low to medium |
| Session Beer | All Hybrid | 10 - 35 | 2 | 3.5% - 5.0% | Varies with underlying style |
| Session India Pale Ale | All Hybrid | 40 - 55 | 3 - 12 | 3.7% - 5.0% | Low to medium |
| Smoke Beer | All Hybrid | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies with underlying beer style |
| Specialty Beer | All Hybrid | 1 - 100 | 1 - 100 | 2.5% - 25+% | Varies with underlying style |
| Specialty Honey Beer | All Hybrid | 1 - 100 | 1 - 100 | 2.5% - 12.0% | Varies with underlying style |
| Wild Beer | All Hybrid | Varies | Varies | Varies | Very low to medium |
| Wood- and Barrel-Aged Beer | All Hybrid | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies with underlying style |
| Wood- and Barrel-Aged Sour Beer | All Hybrid | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies with underlying style |
| Belgian-Style Blonde Ale | Belgian and French Ale | 15 - 30 | 4 - 7 | 6.3% - 7.9% | Low to medium |
| Belgian-Style Dark Strong Ale | Belgian and French Ale | 20 - 50 | 9 - 35 | 7.1% - 11.2% | Medium to full |
| Belgian-Style Dubbel | Belgian and French Ale | 20 - 35 | 16 - 36 | 6.3% - 7.6% | Low to medium |
| Belgian-Style Flanders Oud Bruin or Oud Red Ale | Belgian and French Ale | 5 - 18 | 12 - 25 | 4.8% - 6.6% | Low to medium-low with a refreshing mouthfeel |
| Belgian-Style Fruit Lambic | Belgian and French Ale | 15 - 21 | Varies | 5.0% - 8.9% | Dry to full |
| Belgian-Style Lambic | Belgian and French Ale | 9 - 23 | 6 - 13 | 5.0% - 8.2% | Very low with dry mouthfeel |
| Belgian-Style Pale Ale | Belgian and French Ale | 20 - 30 | 6 - 12 | 4.1% - 6.3% | Low to medium |
| Belgian-Style Pale Strong Ale | Belgian and French Ale | 20 - 50 | 3.5 - 10 | 7.1% - 11.2% | Very low to medium |
| Belgian-Style Quadrupel | Belgian and French Ale | 25 - 50 | 16 - 36 | 9.1% - 14.2% | Full with creamy mouthfeel |
| Belgian-Style Table Beer | Belgian and French Ale | 5 - 15 | 5 - 50 | 0.5% - 3.5% | Low |
| Belgian-Style Tripel | Belgian and French Ale | 20 - 45 | 4 - 7 | 7.1% - 10.1% | Medium |
| Belgian-Style Witbier | Belgian and French Ale | 10 - 17 | 2 - 4 | 4.8% - 5.6% | Low to medium |
| Classic French & Belgian-Style Saison | Belgian and French Ale | 20 - 38 | 3 - 7 | 4.4% - 6.8% | Very low to low |
| Contemporary Belgian-Style Spontaneous Fermented Ale | Belgian and French Ale | 11 - 23 | 6 - 40 | 5.0% - 8.9% | Very low with dry mouthfeel |
| French-Style Bière de Garde | Belgian and French Ale | 20 - 30 | 7 - 16 | 4.4% - 8.0% | Low to medium |
| Other Belgian-Style Ale | Belgian and French Ale | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies |
| Specialty Saison | Belgian and French Ale | 20 - 40 | 3 - 20 | 4.4% - 8.4% | A common saison yeast and grist should create a low-to-medium body feel |
| Traditional Belgian-Style Gueuze Lambic | Belgian and French Ale | 11 - 23 | 6 - 13 | 5.0% - 8.9% | Very low with dry mouthfeel |
| British-Style Barley Wine Ale | British Ale | 40 - 65 | 11 - 36 | 8.5% - 12.2% | Full |
| British-Style Imperial Stout | British Ale | 45 - 65 | 20 - 35+ | 7.0% - 12.0% | Full |
| Brown Porter | British Ale | 20 - 30 | 20 - 35 | 4.4% - 6.0% | Low to medium |
| Classic English-Style Pale Ale | British Ale | 20 - 40 | 5 - 12 | 4.4% - 5.3% | Medium |
| English-Style Brown Ale | British Ale | 12 - 25 | 12 - 24 | 4.2% - 6.0% | Medium |
| English-Style Dark Mild Ale | British Ale | 10 - 24 | 17 - 34 | 3.4% - 4.4% | Medium-low to medium |
| English-Style India Pale Ale | British Ale | 35 - 63 | 6 - 14 | 4.5% - 7.1% | Medium |
| English-Style Pale Mild Ale | British Ale | 10 - 20 | 6 - 9 | 3.4% - 4.4% | Low to medium-low |
| English-Style Summer Ale | British Ale | 20 - 30 | 3 - 6 | 3.7% - 5.1% | Low to medium-low |
| Extra Special Bitter | British Ale | 30 - 45 | 8 - 17 | 4.8% - 5.8% | Medium |
| Oatmeal Stout | British Ale | 20 - 40 | 20 | 3.8% - 6.1% | Full |
| Old Ale | British Ale | 30 - 65 | 12 - 30 | 6.3% - 9.1% | Medium to full |
| Ordinary Bitter | British Ale | 20 - 35 | 5 - 12 | 3.0% - 4.2% | Low to medium |
| Robust Porter | British Ale | 25 - 40 | 30 | 5.1% - 6.6% | Medium to full |
| Scotch Ale or Wee Heavy | British Ale | 25 - 35 | 15 - 30 | 6.6% - 8.5% | Full |
| Scottish-Style Export Ale | British Ale | 15 - 25 | 9 - 19 | 4.1% - 5.3% | Medium |
| Scottish-Style Heavy Ale | British Ale | 12 - 20 | 8 - 30 | 3.5% - 4.1% | Medium with a soft chewy character |
| Scottish-Style Light Ale | British Ale | 9 - 20 | 6 - 15 | 2.8% - 3.5% | Low |
| Special Bitter or Best Bitter | British Ale | 28 - 40 | 6 - 14 | 4.2% - 4.8% | Medium |
| Strong Ale | British Ale | 30 - 65 | 8 - 21 | 7.0% - 11.3% | Medium to full |
| Sweet Stout or Cream Stout | British Ale | 15 - 25 | 40 | 3.2% - 6.3% | Full |
| Bamberg-Style Bock Rauchbier | European Lager | 20 - 30 | 20 - 30 | 6.3% - 7.6% | Medium to full |
| Bamberg-Style Helles Rauchbier | European Lager | 18 - 25 | 4 - 5.5 | 4.8% - 5.6% | Medium |
| Bamberg-Style Maerzen Rauchbier | European Lager | 18 - 25 | 4 - 15 | 5.1% - 6.0% | Full |
| Bohemian-Style Pilsener | European Lager | 30 - 45 | 3 - 6 | 4.1% - 5.1% | Medium |
| Dortmunder/European-Style Export | European Lager | 23 - 29 | 3 - 6 | 5.1% - 6.1% | Medium |
| European-Style Dark Lager | European Lager | 20 - 35 | 15 - 24 | 4.8% - 5.3% | Low to medium-low |
| Franconian-Style Rotbier | European Lager | 20 - 28 | 13 - 23 | 4.8% - 5.6% | Medium |
| German-Style Doppelbock | European Lager | 17 - 27 | 12 - 30 | 6.6% - 7.9% | Full |
| German-Style Eisbock | European Lager | 26 - 33 | 15 - 50 | 8.6% - 14.3% | Very full |
| German-Style Heller Bock/Maibock | European Lager | 20 - 38 | 4 - 9 | 6.3% - 8.1% | Medium to full |
| German-Style Leichtbier | European Lager | 16 - 24 | 2 - 4 | 2.5% - 3.7% | Very low |
| German-Style Maerzen | European Lager | 18 - 25 | 4 - 15 | 5.1% - 6.0% | Medium |
| German-Style Oktoberfest/Wiesn | European Lager | 23 - 29 | 3 - 5 | 5.1% - 6.1% | Medium |
| German-Style Pilsener | European Lager | 25 - 50 | 3 - 4 | 4.6% - 5.3% | Low to medium-low |
| German-Style Schwarzbier | European Lager | 22 - 30 | 25 - 40 | 3.8% - 4.9% | Low to medium-low |
| Munich-Style Dunkel | European Lager | 16 - 25 | 15 - 17 | 4.8% - 5.3% | Low to medium-low |
| Munich-Style Helles | European Lager | 18 - 25 | 4 - 5.5 | 4.8% - 5.6% | Medium |
| Traditional German-Style Bock | European Lager | 20 - 30 | 20 - 30 | 6.3% - 7.6% | Medium to full |
| Vienna-Style Lager | European Lager | 22 - 28 | 10 - 18 | 4.8% - 5.4% | Medium |
| Bamberg-Style Weiss Rauchbier | German Ale | 10 - 15 | 4 - 18 | 4.9% - 5.6% | Medium to full |
| Berliner-Style Weisse | German Ale | 3 - 6 | 2 - 4 | 2.8% - 5.0% | Very low |
| Contemporary-Style Gose | German Ale | 5 - 30 | 3 - 9 | 4.4% - 5.4% | Low to medium-low |
| German Hefeweizen | German Ale | 10 - 15 | 3 - 9 | 4.9% - 5.6% | As with most wheat beers |
| German-Style Altbier | German Ale | 25 - 52 | 11 - 19 | 4.6% - 5.6% | Medium-low to medium |
| German-Style Koelsch | German Ale | 22 - 30 | 3 - 6 | 4.8% - 5.3% | Low to medium-low |
| German-Style Leichtes Weizen | German Ale | 10 - 15 | 3.5 - 15 | 2.5% - 3.5% | Low with a lighter mouthfeel than Hefeweizen |
| German-Style Rye Ale | German Ale | 10 - 15 | 4 - 25 | 4.9% - 5.6% | Low to medium |
| Leipzig-Style Gose | German Ale | 5 - 15 | 2 - 7 | 4.4% - 5.4% | Low to medium-low |
| South German-Style Bernsteinfarbenes Weizen | German Ale | 10 - 15 | 9 - 13 | 4.8% - 5.4% | Medium to full |
| South German-Style Dunkel Weizen | German Ale | 10 - 15 | 10 - 25 | 4.8% - 5.4% | Medium to full |
| South German-Style Kristal Weizen | German Ale | 10 - 15 | 3 - 9 | 4.9% - 5.6% | Medium to full |
| South German-Style Weizenbock | German Ale | 15 - 35 | 4.5 - 30 | 7.0% - 9.5% | Medium to full |
| Classic Irish-Style Dry Stout | Irish Ale | 30 - 40 | 40 | 4.1% - 5.3% | Medium-light to medium |
| Export-Style Stout | Irish Ale | 30 - 60 | 40 | 5.6% - 8.0% | Medium to full |
| Irish-Style Red Ale | Irish Ale | 20 - 28 | 11 - 18 | 4.0% - 4.8% | Medium |
| American-Belgo-Style Ale | North American Ale | Varies | Varies | Varies | Medium-low to medium |
| American-Style Amber/Red Ale | North American Ale | 25 - 45 | 11 - 18 | 4.4% - 6.1% | Medium to medium-high |
| American-Style Barley Wine Ale | North American Ale | 60 - 100 | 11 - 18 | 8.5% - 12.2% | Full |
| American-Style Black Ale | North American Ale | 40 - 70 | 35 | 6.3% - 7.6% | Medium |
| American-Style Brown Ale | North American Ale | 30 - 45 | 15 - 26 | 4.2% - 6.3% | Medium |
| American-Style Fruited Sour Ale | North American Ale | Varies | Varies | Varies | Low to High |
| American-Style Imperial or Double India Pale Ale | North American Ale | 65 - 100 | 2 - 9 | 7.6% - 10.6% | Medium to full |
| American-Style Imperial Porter | North American Ale | 35 - 50 | 40 | 7.0% - 12.0% | Full |
| American-Style Imperial Stout | North American Ale | 50 - 80 | 40 | 7.0% - 12.0% | Full |
| American-Style India Pale Ale | North American Ale | 50 - 70 | 6 - 12 | 6.3% - 7.5% | Medium-low to medium |
| American-Style Pale Ale | North American Ale | 30 - 50 | 4 - 7 | 4.4% - 5.4% | Medium |
| American-Style Sour Ale | North American Ale | Varies | Varies | Varies | Low to high |
| American-Style Stout | North American Ale | 35 - 60 | 40 | 5.7% - 8.0% | Medium to full |
| American-Style Strong Pale Ale | North American Ale | 40 - 50 | 4 - 14 | 5.6% - 7.0% | Medium |
| American-Style Wheat Wine Ale | North American Ale | 45 - 85 | 5 | 8.5% - 12.2% | Full |
| Double Hoppy Red Ale | North American Ale | 45 - 80 | 10 - 17 | 6.1% - 7.9% | Medium to full |
| Golden or Blonde Ale | North American Ale | 15 - 25 | 3 - 7 | 4.1% - 5.1% | Low to medium with a crisp finish |
| Imperial Red Ale | North American Ale | 55 - 85 | 10 - 17 | 8.0% - 10.6% | Full |
| Juicy or Hazy Imperial or Double India Pale Ale | North American Ale | 45 - 80 | 3 - 7 | 7.6% - 10.6% | Medium to high |
| Juicy or Hazy India Pale Ale | North American Ale | 30 - 50 | 3 - 7 | 6.3% - 7.5% | Medium-low to medium-high |
| Juicy or Hazy Pale Ale | North American Ale | 5 - 30 | 3 - 7 | 4.4% - 5.4% | Medium-low to medium-high |
| Juicy or Hazy Strong Pale Ale | North American Ale | 20 - 40 | 3 - 7 | 5.6% - 7.0% | Medium-low to medium-high |
| Smoke Porter | North American Ale | 20 - 40 | 20 | 5.1% - 8.9% | Medium to full |
| American-Style Amber Lager | North American Lager | 18 - 30 | 6 - 14 | 4.8% - 5.4% | Medium |
| American-Style Dark Lager | North American Lager | 14 - 24 | 14 - 25 | 4.1% - 5.6% | low |
| American-Style India Pale Lager | North American Lager | 30 - 70 | 3 - 6 | 5.6% - 7.0% | Medium-low to medium |
| American-Style Lager | North American Lager | 5 - 15 | 2 - 4 | 4.1% - 5.1% | Low to medium-low body |
| American-Style Light Lager | North American Lager | 4 - 10 | 1.5 - 4 | 3.5% - 4.4% | Low with dry mouthfeel |
| American-Style Maerzen/Oktoberfest | North American Lager | 20 - 30 | 4 - 15 | 5.1% - 6.0% | Medium |
| American-Style Malt Liquor | North American Lager | 12 - 23 | 2 - 6 | 6.3% - 7.6% | Low to medium-low |
| American-Style Pilsener | North American Lager | 25 - 40 | 3 - 6 | 4.9% - 6.0% | Medium-low to medium |
| Contemporary American-Style Lager | North American Lager | 5 - 16 | 2 - 4 | 4.1% - 5.1% | Low |
| Contemporary American-Style Light Lager | North American Lager | 4 - 15 | 1.5 - 12 | 3.5% - 4.4% | Low to medium-low |
| Contemporary American-Style Pilsener | North American Lager | 25 - 40 | 3 - 6 | 4.9% - 6.0% | Medium-low to medium |
| Adambier | Other Ale | 30 - 50 | 15 - 35 | 9.0% - 11.0% | Medium to full |
| Australian-Style Pale Ale | Other Ale | 15 - 40 | 3 - 9 | 4.0% - 6.0% | Low to medium-low with a dry finish |
| Breslau-Style Schoeps | Other Ale | 20 - 30 | 2 - 40+ | 6.0% - 7.0% | Full |
| Classic Australian-Style Pale Ale | Other Ale | 15 - 35 | 3 - 10 | 4.0% - 6.0% | Low to medium with a dry finish |
| Dutch-Style Kuit, Kuyt or Koyt | Other Ale | 25 - 35 | 5 - 12.5 | 4.7% - 7.9% | Low to medium |
| Finnish-Style Sahti | Other Ale | 3 - 16 | 4 - 12 | 7.0% - 8.5% | Medium to full |
| Grodziskie | Other Ale | 15 - 25 | 3 - 6 | 2.7% - 3.7% | Low to medium-low |
| International-Style Pale Ale | Other Ale | 20 - 42 | 5 - 12 | 4.4% - 6.6% | Low to medium |
| Swedish-Style Gotlandsdricke | Other Ale | 15 - 25 | 4 - 12 | 5.5% - 6.5% | Medium to full |
| Australasian, Latin American or Tropical-Style Light Lager | Other Lager | 9 - 18 | 2 - 5 | 4.1% - 5.1% | Low |
| Baltic-Style Porter | Other Lager | 35 - 40 | 20 | 7.6% - 9.3% | Medium to full |
| International-Style Pilsener | Other Lager | 17 - 30 | 3 - 4 | 4.6% - 5.3% | Low to medium |
Based on Brewers Association 2020 Beer Style Guidelines with changes. Used with permission of Brewers Association.