LJ

Note: in the current (2015) BJCP Style Guidelines, Belgian Wit is Style 24A in Category 24  Belgian Ale which contains the maltier to balanced, more highly flavored Belgian and French ales. The information below is still valid, but for those studying for the new BJCP exam, it may be incomplete.  Use it as supplemental reading for the style and I will endeavor to … Read more

NOTE: In the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines, Premium American Lagers have been removed and for the most part, replaced with Style 2A International Pale Lager in Category 2 International Lager which are premium mass-market lagers produced in most countries in the world. Whether developed from American or European styles, they all tend to have a fairly uniform character and are heavily … Read more

The Scottish 70 Shilling is a light bodied ale (less than 4% ABV). The beers in the Scottish Ales category are so similar that they have the same descriptions. None are widely available in the US. These beers are called “heavy”, but they are by no means heavy by most American’s standards. They are in … Read more

NOTE: In the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines, English Mild Ale is now classified as Style 13A Dark Mild in Category 13 Brown British Beer which describes the modern versions of Dark Mild, Brown Ale, and English Porter.  They are grouped together for judging purposes only since they often have similar flavors and balance, not because of any implied common ancestry. The … Read more

NOTE:  In the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines, Oatmeal Stout is now Style 16B in Category 16 Dark British Beer which contains average to strong, bitter to sweet, modern British and Irish stouts that originated in England even if some are now more widely associated with Ireland. In this case, “British” means the broader British Isles not Great Britain. The … Read more

Sweet stout became popular during the early 1900s when it was advertised as a nutritious supplement for nursing mothers. It continued to be characterized as a pick-me-up and was often recommended by medical professionals. The term “Milk” or references to “lactose” or “lactic” is no longer allowed on the label in England or the United … Read more

NOTE: In the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines, Vienna Lager has been reclassified as Style 7A in Category 7 Amber Bitter European Beer which groups amber-colored, evenly balanced to bitter balanced beers of German or Austrian origin. Vienna lager is becoming a popular style with homebrewers. Becoming rare these days commercially, there are still a few classic examples made in … Read more

NOTE: In the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines, German Pilsners have changed categories and style numbers.  In the new guidelines they are Style 5D German Pils in Category 5 Pale Bitter European Beer which describes German-origin beers that are pale and have an even to bitter balance with a mild to moderately strong hoppy character featuring classic German hops. They are generally … Read more

NOTE: In the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines, Robust Porter has been removed as a separate style.  Look for Style 13C English Porter and Style 20A American Porter instead. Robust Porter History Robust porter is a style with recent origins (although it no longer exists as far as the BJCP is concerned). The original beer would have been much different than the beer we drink … Read more