After studying the 2021 Beer Judging Certification Program’s Beer Style Guidelines , we realized we tend to stay in our lane in terms of beer styles. In order to branch out to new areas, we decided to seek out at least one beer from each category of beer styles list to taste.
In an attempt to taste beer known to represent a style well, we’ve taken product recommendations from the BJCP list as well as beer reference books. We try to choose craft beer but sometimes one brand is so iconic in a particular style we chose a commercial product. For more obscure styles, we have to taste whatever is available.
There are no hard and fast rules. This whole thing is just for fun, let’s not get too serious about it!
This list is under development. Let us know if you have any recommendations for a certain beer in any given style.
1 Standard American Beer 1A American Light Lager Don’t laugh. It was alright. Bud Light ABV 4.2% Conditions Tasted 8/20/22, bottle from Total Wine, 53 degrees, pilsner glass Appearance light gold (2-3), lots of effervescence with larger bubbles, ½ inch loose white head Aroma faint hops, malt and a little corn Flavor very subtle malt/corn sweetness, slight bitterness on the finish; flavors are very subdued, clean Mouthfeel light body, highly carbonated, refreshing Overall very light beer flavor and body; refreshing and ubiquitous. Not nearly as bad as I remembered and pretty good with some fresh lime juice added!!
1B American Lager Budweiser ABV 5% Conditions Tasted 11/2/22, can bought at Walmart, 51 degrees, pilsner glass Appearance Clear, pale gold (3) with 2 inch white head that faded quickly, effervescence in glass Aroma Corn, slight malt Flavor Bland, corn-y sweetness with metallic aftertaste Mouthfeel Light body, high carbonation Overall Bland flavor with off-putting aftertaste
Miller High Life ABV 4.6% Conditions Tasted 11/4/22, 32 oz bottle from Walmart, 48 degrees, pilsner glass Appearance Clear, straw to pale gold (2-3) with 3 inch white head with good lacing, slight effervescence in glass Aroma Light bread, slight malt Flavor Flavor is very subtle but bitterness and sweetness are balanced Mouthfeel Light body, high carbonation Overall Lacks complexity but inoffensive. Could see drinking a couple at a cookout.
Kona Brewing Co. Longboard Island Lager ABV 4.6% Conditions Tasted 9/24/22, can from Costco, 49 degrees, pilsner glass Appearance Pale gold, clear, 2 inch white head, nice bubbles, mod. lacing Aroma Bread, crackers, low malt aroma, slight lemon Flavor Crisp, dry finish, slight malt sweetness, low bitterness Mouthfeel Light body, high carbonation Overall Easy-drinking crisp lager
Conditions Tasted 8/20/22, can from Total Wine, 45 degrees, pilsner glass Appearance Light gold (3-4), clear, 1 in off-white head-fast dispersing, tiny bubbles rising in glass Aroma Faint bread, lemon, tangy green apple Flavor Malty hint at sweetness, decent bitterness lingers on the finish Mouthfeel Light-medium body, lingers Overall Good for the style-greatly upgraded Budweiser
1C Cream Ale 1D American Wheat Beer Bell’s Oberon American Wheat Ale ABV 5.8% Conditions Tasted 8/20/22, can from Total Wine, 48 degrees, stemmed glass Appearance Orange-gold, very hazy, frothy 1.5 inch head Aroma Spice, orange Flavor Mild spice, orange, mild but lingering bitterness, refreshing Mouthfeel Light body, med. carbonation Overall Restrained, easy drinking wheat beer
2 International Lager 2A International Pale Lager 2B International Amber Lager 2C International Dark Lager Spoetzle Shiner Bock ABV 4.4% Conditions Bottle from Total Wine, 48 degrees, nonic glass, 11/7/22 Appearance Clear, med amber (12), tan head fades fast, ++effervescence Aroma Malt Flavor Malt, slight fruitiness, low bitterness Mouthfeel Light body, highly carbonated Overall Inoffensive but drinkable, kind of bland.
3 C zech Lager 3A Czech Pale Lager 3B Czech Premium Pale Lager 3C Czech Amber Lager 3D Czech Dark Lager
4 Pale Malty European Lager 4A Munich Helles 4B Festbier 4C Helles Bock 5 Pale Bitter European Beer 5A German Leichtbier 5B Kolsch 5C German Helles Exportbier 5D German Pil
6 Amber Malty European Lager 6A Marzen 6B Rauchbier 6C Dunkles Bock 7 Amber Bitter European Beer 7A Vienna Lager Samuel Adams Boston Lager ABV 5% Conditions Bottle from Total Wine, 47 degrees, pilsner glass, 11/5/22 Appearance Slightly, amber-brown (12), 3+ inch light golden head, good lacing Aroma Malty, caramel, herbal Flavor Caramel, bread, dry finish, moderate bitterness and slight sweetness Mouthfeel Med. body, low carbonation Overall Simple but balanced. Our bottle was not that fresh so might have influenced quality.
7B Altbier 8 Dark European Lager 8A Munich Dunkel Hofbrau Dunkel ABV 5.5% Conditions Tasted 8/27/22, bottle from Total Wine, 47 degrees, stemmed glass Appearance Clear, amber-brown, moderate lacing, 1 finger head Aroma Nutty, malty Flavor Nutty, toasty malt, tangy fruit Mouthfeel Light body Overall Easy drinking, surprisingly refreshing for a dark beer
8B Schwarzbier 9 Strong European Beer 9A Doppelbock 9B Eisbock 9C Baltic Porter
10 German Wheat Beer 10A Weissbier 10B Dunkles Weissbier 10C Weizenbock 11 British Bitter 11A Ordinary Bitter 11B Best Bitter 11C Strong Bitter
12 Pale Commonwealth Beer 12A British Golden Ale 12B Australian Sparkling Ale 12C English IPA 13 Brown British Beer 13A Dark Mild 13B British Brown Ale 13C English Porter
14 Scottish Ale 14A Scottish Light 14B Scottish Heavy 14C Scottish Export 15 Irish Beer 15A Irish Red Ale 15B Irish Stout Guinness Draught ABV 4.2% Conditions 12 oz bottle from Total Wine, tasted 11/5/22, 48 deg, pint glass Appearance Opaque dark ruby brown (24), 2 inch tan creamy head Aroma Coffee, roasted grain, caramel Flavor Heavy roasted malt, caramel Mouthfeel Light with low carbonation Overall Flavor and aroma make promises that remain unfulfilled by the flabby texture.
15C Irish Extra Stout
16 Dark British Beer 16A Sweet Stout 16B Oatmeal Stout 16C Tropical Stout 16D Foreign Extra Stout 17 Strong British Ale 17A British Strong Ale 17B Old Ale 17C Wee Heavy 17D English Barley Wine 18 Pale American Ale 18A Blonde Ale 18B American Pale Ale Sierra Nevada Pale Ale ABV 5.6%, IBU 38 Conditions Bottle from Total Wine, tasted 11/14/22, 48 degrees Appearance Pale amber (9), clear, white 1-inch head fades fast Aroma Floral, grapefruit, grass Flavor Grapefruit, pine, mod. Bitterness well balanced by light sweet flavors Mouthfeel Med. Body with med-high carbonation Overall Refreshing classic American pale ale, sets the standard
19 Amber and Brown American Beer 19A American Amber Ale 19B California Common Anchor Steam Beer ABV 4.9% Conditions Bottle from Total Wine, tasted 11/8/22, 48 degrees, stemmed glass Appearance Medium amber (12), clear, 2 inch off white head that faded soon Aroma Toasty, caramel, herbal character Flavor Slight caramel, light fruit, dry finish moderate bitterness Mouthfeel high carbonation, light-medium body Overall Easy drinking flavorful every day beer.
19C American Brown Ale Big Sky Brewing Moose Drool Brown Ale ABV 5.0% Conditions Can from Total Wine, tasted 11/6/22, 48 Appearance Amber brown (18), clear 2 inch light tan persistent head Aroma Molasses, toasted grain Flavor Toasted grain, citrus fruit, moderate bitterness balanced with sweet maltiness, caramel finish Mouthfeel Medium body, high carbonation Overall Balanced and complex brown ale. Yum.
20 American Porter and Stout 20A American Porter Deschutes Black Butte Porter ABV 5.5%, IBU 30 Conditions Bottle from Total Wine, tasted 11/7/22, 48 degrees, nonic glass Appearance Brown (20), clear, 2 inch tan head that has some persistence and a little lacing Aroma Coffee, dark chocolate, nutty, slight floral aroma Flavor Dark fruit-dried cherries, coffee, chocolate Mouthfeel Medium body, smooth, medium carbonation Overall Classic porter, very good
20B American Stout 20C Imperial Stout North Coast Brewing Co. Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout ABV 9%, IBU 75 Conditions Bottle from Total Wine, tasted 11/5/22, nonic glass, 48 degrees F Appearance Dark ruby brown to black brown, huge light brown head that persists, great lacing Aroma Dark roast coffee, dark chocolate, dried fruit, some herbal Flavor Similar to aroma, fruity tangy finish, moderate bitterness, long finish Mouthfeel Medium body and medium carbonation Overall Complex stout with well-balanced dark and light flavors and avoids cloying caramel qualities.
21 IPA 21A American IPA Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA ABV 7.5%, IBU 75 Conditions Bottle from Total Wine, 11/20/22, 48 degrees, nonic glass Appearance Pale amber (9), slightly hazy, 2 inch head with good lacing Aroma Slight tropical, subtle hay Flavor Citrus, malt, marked bitterness, long finish Mouthfeel Med body, med to high carbonation Overall Classic WCIPA with only subtle fruitiness
Bell’s Two Hearted Ale ABV 7.0%, IBU 55 Conditions Tasted 9/6/22, can from American Vape and Smoke Shop, 48 degrees, nonic glass Appearance Deep amber, clear, 3 finger off white head Aroma Grapefruit, pine Flavor Grapefruit, sweet malt, ++bitter, long finish Mouthfeel Medium body and carbonation Overall Super classic and well-balanced. Should be in the dictionary next to “American IPA.”
Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA ABV 9%, 90 IBU Conditions Bottle from Total Wine, 50 degrees, nonic glass, 11/20/22 Appearance Pale amber, clear, effervescent, 2 inch persistent head with slight lacing Aroma Floral, mango Flavor Citrus, nutty, dried fruit, slight sweetness with moderate bitterness Mouthfeel Med to heavy body, med carbonation Overall Surprisingly easy drinking with good balance, classic
Lagunitas IPA ABV 6.2%, IBU 51 Conditions Bottle from Total Wine, 48 degrees, nonic glass, 11/16/22 Appearance Pale amber (9), clear, 1 finger off white head faded fast Aroma Grapefruit/citrus, pine Flavor Grapefruit, sweet malt, ++bitter Mouthfeel Medium body, smoothe and med carbonation Overall Well balanced and avoids extremes, good classic IPA
Stone IPA ABV 6.9%, IBU 51 Conditions Bottle from Total Wine, 48 degrees, nonic glass, 11/16/22 Appearance Pale amber (9), clear, 1.5 finger off white creamy head Aroma Grass, hay, citrus Flavor Grapefruit, resinous, fresh hops Mouthfeel Medium body, med carbonation Overall Good American IPA that leans toward bitter WC side
21B Specialty IPA Specialty IPA: Belgian IPA Specialty IPA: Black IPA Conditions Tasted 8/27/22, can from Craft Beer Hop Stop, 55 degrees, ? beer glass Appearance Fascinating nitro style fizz, HUGE rocky reddish tan colored head, mod. lacing Aroma Toasted pine nuts, hops Flavor Roasted malt, dark chocolate, bitter Mouthfeel Medium body Overall Unusual combination of malty and hoppy beer
Specialty IPA: Brown IPA Specialty IPA: Red IPA Specialty IPA: Rye IPA Specialty IPA: White IPA Lagunitas Brewing Co. Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’ ABV 7.5%, IBU 64 Conditions Tasted 9/2/22, bottle from American Vape and Smoke Shop, 50 degrees F, nonic glass Appearance Clear, deep gold, 2 finger head with good lacing Aroma Citrus, floral and biscuit aromas Flavor Orange, spice, floral hops, bitter with slight tangy sweetness on finish Mouthfeel Light-med. Body and carbonation Overall IPA with a little orange spice. Nicely balanced easy drinking especially for such a high ABV
Specialty IPA: Brut IPA 21C Hazy IPA Belching Beaver Brewery Hazers Gonna Haze Hazy IPA ABV 6.6% Conditions Tasted 9/2/22, can from American Vape and Smoke Shop, 48 degrees, stemmed glass Appearance Deep gold, small frothy 1 finger head; hazy Aroma Grapefruit, candied orange Flavor Grapefruit, tropical fruit and juicy with faint sweetness and moderate bitterness Mouthfeel Medium body Overall Delicious, juicy, hazy IPA
22 Strong American Ale 22A Double IPA Port Brewing Co. Mongo Double IPA ABV 8%, IBU 85 Conditions Tasted 8/29/22, can bought at Total Wine, 51 degrees, nonic pub glass Appearance Slightly hazy, deep amber color with 2 finger off white head Aroma Fresh hay, orange citrus, barley grain Flavor Strongly bitter opposed by sl. sweet orange citrus Mouthfeel Medium body, medium to heavy carbonation Overall Excellent , balanced WCIPA
22B American Strong Ale 22C American Barleywine 22D Wheatwine 23 European Sour Ale 23A Berliner Weisse 23B Flanders Red Ale 23C Oud Bruin 23D Lambic 23E Gueuze 23F Fruit Lambic 23G Gose 24 Belgian Ale 24A Witbier Blue Moon Belgian White ABV 5.4% Conditions Tasted 11/2/22, bottle bought at Total Wine, 51 degrees, stemmed glass Appearance Hazy, deep amber (9) with fast fading 1 inch white head Aroma Orange, coriander, spice Flavor Orange peel, moderate malty sweetness, low bitterness, too dry-falls off on the finish Mouthfeel Medium body, high carbonation Overall Not bad for a macro beer, would order over most other US macros
24B Belgian Pale Ale 24C Biere de Garde 25 Strong Belgian Ale 25A Belgian Blond Ale 25B Saison Saison Dupont Belgian Farmhouse Ale ABV 6.5%, IBU 30 Conditions 330 mL bottle from AJ’s Fine Foods, 48 degrees F, stemmed glass Appearance Deep gold (6), hazy, abundant rocky off white head with great lacing Aroma Orange peel, pepper, earthy Flavor Prominent yeast character with fruit and spice, medium bitterness, bitter spicy after taste, dry Mouthfeel Light-med. body, fluffy, high carbonation Overall Desert island beer, a solid 10
25C Belgian Golden Strong Ale Delirium Tremens ABV 8.5% Conditions 16 oz can from AJ’s Fine Foods, stemmed glass, 48 F Appearance Pale gold (4), clear, large white head, good lacing Aroma Alcohol, fruity, slight hops Flavor Pear, pepper, clove Mouthfeel Light, high carbonation Overall Good variation on Belgian with much less spice than a saison or a tripel
Duvel Belgian Strong Blond ABV 8.5% Conditions 11.2 oz bottle from Total Wine, tasted 11/7/22, stemmed glass, 48 degrees F Appearance Pale gold (4), slightly hazy, huge white head/persistent, good lacing Aroma Strong clove and other warm spices, Flavor Papaya, coriander, pepper, mod-high bitterness balanced by a fruity sweetness, dry finish Mouthfeel Medium body, med to high carbonation Overall Super spicy and fruity–fun to drink
26 Monastic Ale 26A Belgian Single 26B Belgian Dubbel 26C Belgian Tripel St. Bernardus Tripel ABV 8% Conditions Tasted 8/20/22 (St. Bernardus Day), bottle from Total Wine, 50 degrees, stemmed glass Appearance Deep gold (6), hazy, thick rocky persistent head, good lacing Aroma Lots of spicy clove and pepper, orange Flavor Clove, mango, orange zest, dark brown bread, sweet tangy finish Mouthfeel Medium body Overall Like an entire heavenly meal in a glass, as good as it gets
Chimay Cinq Cents ABV 8% Conditions 750 mL bottle from AJ’s Fine Foods 10/25/22, 48 degrees F, stemmed glass Appearance Deep gold (6) to pale amber (9), clear, off-white VERY tall and persistent head, good lacing Aroma Floral (honeysuckle), pome fruit, pine, pepper and clove spice Flavor Pine, subtle warming spice, malty undertones but quite dry Mouthfeel Light to medium body with high carbonation Overall This is the Belgian tripel beer IPA lovers should start with, strong but very approachable in flavor
St. Bernardus Abt 12 ABV 10% Conditions Tasted 9/6/22, bottle from Craft Beer Hop Stop, 52 degrees, stemmed glass Appearance Ruby brown to deep brown, hazy; 3-4 finger soft tan persistent head, lots of lacing. Aroma Dried fruit-raisins, cherries; caramel; spice Flavor Cola, dates, walnuts; toffee sweetness with moderate bitterness. Mouthfeel Heavier body, carbonation high Overall OMFG: nirvana attained.
27 Historical Beer Historical Beer: Kellerbier Historical Beer: Kentucky Common Historical Beer: Lichtenhainer Historical Beer: London Brown Ale Historical Beer: Piwo Grodziskie Historical Beer: Pre-Prohibition Lager Historical Beer: Pre-Prohibition Porter Historical Beer: Roggenbier Historical Beer: Sahti
28 American Wild Ale 28A Brett Beer 28B Mixed-Fermentation Sour Beer 28C Wild Specialty Beer 28D Straight Sour Beer 29 Fruit Beer 29A Fruit Beer 29B Fruit and Spice Beer 29C Specialty Fruit Beer 29D Grape Ale
30 Spiced Beer 30A Spice, Herb or Vegetable Beer 30B Autumn Seasonal Beer 30C Winter Seasonal Beer 30D Specialty Spice Beer 31 Alternative Fermentables Beer 31A Alternative Grain Beer 31B Alternative Sugar Beer
32 Smoked Beer 32A Classic Style Smoked Beer 32B Specialty Smoked Beer 33 Wood Beer 33A Wood-Aged Beer 33B Specialty Wood-Aged Beer 34 Specialty Beer 34A Commercial Specialty Beer 34B Mixed-Style Beer 34C Experimental Beer New Belgium Brewing 1554 ABV 6.0%, IBU 21 Conditions Tasted 8/21/22, bottle from Total Wine, , 47 degrees, stemmed glass Appearance Fine but thick, light brown, 3-finger head; clear amber brown, light lacing Aroma Yeasty, malty, spice, stone fruit? Flavor Light malty flavors, roasted grain, coffee, pipe tobacco, dry Mouthfeel Med-heavy body, mod. carbonation Overall Interesting improvisational between-styles beer
