Beer styles - Overall impression

Question 1

A smooth clean pale German lager with a moderately strong malty flavor and a light hop character. Deftly balances strength and drinkability with a palate impression and finish that encourages drinking. Showcases elegant German malt flavors without becoming too heavy or filling.

Answer 1

04B: Festbier

Question 2

An ale of moderate to fairly significant alcoholic strength bigger than standard beers though usually not as strong or rich as barleywine. Often tilted towards a maltier balance. “It should be a warming beer of the type that is best drunk in half pints by a warm fire on a cold winter’s night” – Michael Jackson.

Answer 2

17B: Old Ale

Question 3

A lighter-bodied rich refreshing hoppy bitter pale Czech lager having the familiar flavors of the stronger Czech Premium Pale Lager (Pilsner-type) beer but in a lower alcohol lighter-bodied and slightly less intense format.

Answer 3

03A: Czech Pale Lager

Question 4

A moderately malty somewhat fruity easy-drinking copper-colored Belgian ale that is somewhat less aggressive in flavor profile than many other Belgian beers. The malt character tends to be a bit biscuity with light toasty honey-like or caramelly components; the fruit character is noticeable and complementary to the malt. The bitterness level is generally moderate but may not seem as high due to the flavorful malt profile.

Answer 4

24B: Belgian Pale Ale

Question 5

A fuller-bodied black beer with a pronounced roasted flavor often similar to coffee and dark chocolate with some malty complexity. The balance can range from moderately bittersweet to bitter with the more balanced versions having up to moderate malty richness and the bitter versions being quite dry.

Answer 5

15C: Irish Extra Stout

Question 6

A very dark sweet full-bodied slightly roasty ale that can suggest coffee-and-cream or sweetened espresso.

Answer 6

16A: Sweet Stout

Question 7

A lightly fruity beer with firm grainy maltiness interesting toasty and caramel flavors and showcasing rustic traditional American hop characteristics.

Answer 7

19B: California Common

Question 8

A hoppy moderately-strong very well-attenuated pale British ale with a dry finish and a hoppy aroma and flavor. Classic British ingredients provide the best flavor profile.

Answer 8

12C: English IPA

Question 9

A young fresh Helles so while still a malty fully-attenuated Pils malt showcase the hop character (aroma flavor and bitterness) is more pronounced and the beer is cloudy often with some level of diacetyl and possibly has some green apple and/or other yeast-derived notes. As with the traditional Helles the Keller version is still a beer intended to be drunk by the liter so overall it should remain a light refreshing easy drinking golden lager.

Answer 9

07C: Pale Kellerbier

Question 10

A well-attenuated malty amber lager with an interesting caramel or toast quality and restrained bitterness. Usually fairly well-attenuated often with an adjunct quality. Smooth easily-drinkable lager character.

Answer 10

02B: International Amber Lager

Question 11

A complex fruity pleasantly sour wild wheat ale fermented by a variety of Belgian microbiota and showcasing the fruit contributions blended with the wild character. The type of fruit can sometimes be hard to identify as fermented and aged fruit characteristics can seem different from the more recognizable fresh fruit aromas and flavors.

Answer 11

23F: Fruit Lambic

Question 12

A dark strong malty German lager beer that emphasizes the malty-rich and somewhat toasty qualities of continental malts without being sweet in the finish.

Answer 12

06C: Dunkles Bock

Question 13

A sweet heavy strong traditional Finnish beer with a rye juniper and juniper berry flavor and a strong banana-clove yeast character.

Answer 13

27A: Sahti

Question 14

Low gravity low alcohol levels and low carbonation make this an easy-drinking session beer. The malt profile can vary in flavor and intensity but should never override the overall bitter impression. Drinkability is a critical component of the style

Answer 14

11A: Ordinary Bitter

Question 15

A strong malty fruity wheat-based ale combining the best malt and yeast flavors of a weissbier (pale or dark) with the malty-rich flavor strength and body of a Dunkles Bock or Doppelbock.

Answer 15

10C: Weizenbock

Question 16

A rich dark malty Czech lager with a roast character that can vary from almost absent to quite prominent. Malty with an interesting and complex flavor profile with variable levels of hopping providing a range of possible interpretations.

Answer 16

03D: Czech Dark Lager

Question 17

An elegant malty German amber lager with a clean rich toasty and bready malt flavor restrained bitterness and a dry finish that encourages another drink. The overall malt impression is soft elegant and complex with a rich aftertaste that is never cloying or heavy.

Answer 17

06A: Märzen

Question 18

A sour fruity red wine-like Belgian-style ale with interesting supportive malt flavors and fruit complexity. The dry finish and tannin completes the mental image of a fine red wine.

Answer 18

23B: Flanders Red Ale

Question 19

A moderate-strength amber lager with a soft smooth maltiness and moderate bitterness yet finishing relatively dry. The malt flavor is clean bready-rich and somewhat toasty with an elegant impression derived from quality base malts and process not specialty malts and adjuncts.

Answer 19

07A: Vienna Lager

Question 20

An average-strength to moderately-strong British bitter ale. The balance may be fairly even between malt and hops to somewhat bitter. Drinkability is a critical component of the style. A rather broad style that allows for considerable interpretation by the brewer.

Answer 20

11C: Strong Bitter

Question 21

A fairly sour often moderately funky wild Belgian wheat beer with sourness taking the place of hop bitterness in the balance. Traditionally spontaneously fermented in the Brussels area and served uncarbonated the refreshing acidity makes for a very pleasant café drink.

Answer 21

23D: Lambic

Question 22

A very pale highly-carbonated light-bodied well-attenuated lager with a very neutral flavor profile and low bitterness. Served very cold it can be a very refreshing and thirst quenching drink.

Answer 22

01B: American Lager

Question 23

A very dark sweet fruity moderately strong ale with smooth roasty flavors without a burnt harshness.

Answer 23

16C: Tropical Stout

Question 24

A substantial malty dark beer with a complex and flavorful dark malt character.

Answer 24

20A: American Porter

Question 25

An intensely hoppy fairly strong pale ale without the big rich complex maltiness and residual sweetness and body of an American barleywine. Strongly hopped but clean dry and lacking harshness. Drinkability is an important characteristic; this should not be a heavy sipping beer.

Answer 25

22A: Double IPA

Question 26

A pale refreshing and hoppy ale yet with sufficient supporting malt to make the beer balanced and drinkable. The clean hop presence can reflect classic or modern American or New World hop varieties with a wide range of characteristics. An average-strength hop-forward pale American craft beer generally balanced to be more accessible than modern American IPAs.

Answer 26

18B: American Pale Ale

Question 27

A darker and somewhat sweeter version of international pale lager with a little more body and flavor but equally restrained in bitterness. The low bitterness leaves the malt as the primary flavor element and the low hop levels provide very little in the way of balance.

Answer 27

02C: International Dark Lager

Question 28

A well-hopped American interpretation of the richest and strongest of the English ales. The hop character should be evident throughout but does not have to be unbalanced. The alcohol strength and hop bitterness often combine to leave a very long finish.

Answer 28

22C: American Barleywine

Question 29

A flavorful yet refreshing session beer. Some examples can be more malt balanced but this should not override the overall bitter impression. Drinkability is a critical component of the style.

Answer 29

11B: Best Bitter

Question 30

A refreshing elegant tasty moderate-strength wheat-based ale.

Answer 30

24A: Witbier

Question 31

A clean well-attenuated flavorful American “lawnmower” beer. Easily drinkable and refreshing with more character than typical American lagers.

Answer 31

01C: Cream Ale

Question 32

Highly carbonated very light-bodied nearly flavorless lager designed to be consumed very cold. Very refreshing and thirst quenching.

Answer 32

01A: American Light Lager

Question 33

A dark low-gravity malt-focused British session ale readily suited to drinking in quantity. Refreshing yet flavorful with a wide range of dark malt or dark sugar expression.

Answer 33

13A: Dark Mild

Question 34

A fairly strong malt-accentuated lagered artisanal beer with a range of malt flavors appropriate for the color. All are malty yet dry with clean flavors and a smooth character.

Answer 34

24C: Bière de Garde

Question 35

A malt-focused generally caramelly beer with perhaps a few esters and occasionally a butterscotch aftertaste. Hops only to balance and support the malt. The malt character can range from dry and grainy to rich toasty and caramelly but is never roasty and especially never has a peat smoke character.

Answer 35

14C: Scottish Export

Question 36

Characterized by depth richness and complexity typical of darker Munich malts with the accompanying Maillard products. Deeply bready-toasty often with chocolate-like flavors in the freshest examples but never harsh roasty or astringent; a decidedly malt-balanced beer yet still easily drinkable.

Answer 36

08A: Munich Dunkel

Question 37

A decidedly hoppy and bitter moderately strong American pale ale showcasing modern American and New World hop varieties and rye malt. The balance is hop-forward with a clean fermentation profile dry finish and clean supporting malt allowing a creative range of hop character to shine through.

Answer 37

21B: Specialty IPA - Rye IPA

Question 38

A low-gravity highly-carbonated light-bodied ale combining an oak-smoked flavor with a clean hop bitterness. Highly sessionable.

Answer 38

27A: Piwo Grodziskie

Question 39

A relatively pale strong malty German lager beer with a nicely attenuated finish that enhances drinkability. The hop character is generally more apparent than in other bocks.

Answer 39

04C: Helles Bock

Question 40

Rich characterful pale Czech lager with considerable malt and hop character and a long rounded finish. Complex yet well-balanced and refreshing. The malt flavors are complex for a Pilsner-type beer and the bitterness is strong but clean and without harshness which gives a rounded impression that enhances drinkability.

Answer 40

03B: Czech Premium Pale Lager

Question 41

A strong rich and very malty German lager that can have both pale and dark variants. The darker versions have more richly-developed deeper malt flavors while the paler versions have slightly more hops and dryness.

Answer 41

09A: Doppelbock

Question 42

A malty brown caramel-centric British ale without the roasted flavors of a Porter.

Answer 42

13B: British Brown Ale

Question 43

An IPA with the fruitiness and spiciness derived from the use of Belgian yeast. The examples from Belgium tend to be lighter in color and more attenuated similar to a tripel that has been brewed with more hops. This beer has a more complex flavor profile and may be higher in alcohol than a typical IPA.

Answer 43

21B: Specialty IPA - Belgian IPA

Question 44

A richly textured high alcohol sipping beer with a significant grainy bready flavor and sleek body. The emphasis is first on the bready wheaty flavors with interesting complexity from malt hops fruity yeast character and alcohol complexity.

Answer 44

22D: Wheatwine

Question 45

A strong full-flavored American ale that challenges and rewards the palate with full malty and hoppy flavors and substantial bitterness. The flavors are bold but complementary and are stronger and richer than average-strength pale and amber American ales.

Answer 45

22B: American Strong Ale

Question 46

A light-bodied highly-attenuated gold-colored bottom-fermented bitter German beer showing excellent head retention and an elegant floral hop aroma. Crisp clean and refreshing a German Pils showcases the finest quality German malt and hops.

Answer 46

05D: German Pils

Question 47

A young unfiltered and unpasteurized beer that is between a Helles and Märzen in color spicier in the hops with greater attenuation. Interpretations range in color and balance but remain in the drinkable 4.8% ABV neighborhood. Balance ranges from the dry spicy and pale-colored interpretations by St. Georgen and Löwenbräu of Buttenheim to darker and maltier interpretations in the Fränkische Schweiz. This style is above all a method of producing simple drinkable beers for neighbors out of local ingredients to be served fresh. Balance with a focus on drinkability and digestibility is important.

Answer 47

07C: Amber Kellerbier

Question 48

Rich malty dextrinous and usually caramel-sweet these beers can give an impression that is suggestive of a dessert. Complex secondary malt and alcohol flavors prevent a one-dimensional quality. Strength and maltiness can vary but should not be cloying or syrupy.

Answer 48

17C: Wee Heavy

Question 49

Smooth and balanced all components merge together with similar intensities. Moderate flavors showcasing Australian ingredients. Large flavor dimension. Very drinkable suited to a hot climate. Relies on yeast character.

Answer 49

12B: Australian Sparkling Ale

Question 50

Malt-driven amber Czech lager with hop character that can vary from low to quite significant. The malt flavors can vary quite a bit leading to different interpretations ranging from drier bready and slightly biscuity to sweeter and somewhat caramelly.

Answer 50

03C: Czech Amber Lager

Question 51

A malt-focused generally caramelly beer with perhaps a few esters and occasionally a butterscotch aftertaste. Hops only to balance and support the malt. The malt character can range from dry and grainy to rich toasty and caramelly but is never roasty and especially never has a peat smoke character.

Answer 51

14B: Scottish Heavy

Question 52

A very dark full-bodied roasty malty ale with a complementary oatmeal flavor. The sweetness balance and oatmeal impression can vary considerably.

Answer 52

16B: Oatmeal Stout

Question 53

Hoppy bitter and moderately strong like an American IPA but with some caramel toffee and/or dark fruit malt character. Retaining the dryish finish and lean body that makes IPAs so drinkable a Red IPA is a little more flavorful and malty than an American IPA without being sweet or heavy.

Answer 53

21B: Specialty IPA - Red IPA

Question 54

A dark German lager that balances roasted yet smooth malt flavors with moderate hop bitterness. The lighter body dryness and lack of a harsh burnt or heavy aftertaste helps make this beer quite drinkable.

Answer 54

08B: Schwarzbier

Question 55

A beer with the dryness hop-forward balance and flavor characteristics of an American IPA only darker in color – but without strongly roasted or burnt flavors. The flavor of darker malts is gentle and supportive not a major flavor component. Drinkability is a key characteristic.

Answer 55

21B: Specialty IPA - Black IPA

Question 56

A pale highly-attenuated light-bodied German lager with lower alcohol and calories than normal-strength beers. Moderately bitter with noticeable malt and hop flavors the beer is still interesting to drink.

Answer 56

05A: German Leichtbier

Question 57

A clean refreshing but bitter pale lager often showcasing a grainy-sweet corn flavor. All malt or rice-based versions have a crisper more neutral character. The higher bitterness level is the largest differentiator between this style and most modern mass-market pale lagers but the more robust flavor profile also sets it apart.

Answer 57

27A: Pre-Prohibition Lager

Question 58

A deep reddish-copper moderately strong malty complex Trappist ale with rich malty flavors dark or dried fruit esters and light alcohol blended together in a malty presentation that still finishes fairly dry.

Answer 58

26B: Belgian Dubbel

Question 59

A pale bitter highly attenuated and well carbonated Trappist ale showing a fruity-spicy Trappist yeast character a spicy-floral hop profile and a soft supportive grainy-sweet malt palate.

Answer 59

26A: Trappist Single

Question 60

Refreshing wheat beers that can display more hop character and less yeast character than their German cousins. A clean fermentation character allows bready doughy or grainy wheat flavors to be complemented by hop flavor and bitterness rather than yeast qualities.

Answer 60

01D: American Wheat Beer

Question 61

A pale well-balanced smooth German lager that is slightly stronger than the average beer with a moderate body and a mild aromatic hop and malt character.

Answer 61

05C: German Helles Exportbier

Question 62

A malty but hoppy beer frequently with chocolate and caramel flavors. The hop flavor and aroma complements and enhances the malt rather than clashing with it.

Answer 62

19C: American Brown Ale

Question 63

A malty fruity aged somewhat sour Belgian-style brown ale.

Answer 63

23C: Oud Bruin

Question 64

A very pale refreshing low-alcohol German wheat beer with a clean lactic sourness and a very high carbonation level. A light bread dough malt flavor supports the sourness which shouldn’t seem artificial. Any Brettanomyces funk is restrained.

Answer 64

23A: Berliner Weisse

Question 65

A moderate-strength golden ale that has a subtle fruity-spicy Belgian yeast complexity slightly malty-sweet flavor and dry finish.

Answer 65

25A: Belgian Blond Ale

Question 66

An amber hoppy moderate-strength American craft beer with a caramel malty flavor. The balance can vary quite a bit with some versions being fairly malty and others being aggressively hoppy. Hoppy and bitter versions should not have clashing flavors with the caramel malt profile.

Answer 66

19A: American Amber Ale

Question 67

A pale somewhat spicy dry strong Trappist ale with a pleasant rounded malt flavor and firm bitterness. Quite aromatic with spicy fruity and light alcohol notes combining with the supportive clean malt character to produce a surprisingly drinkable beverage considering the high alcohol level.

Answer 67

26C: Belgian Tripel

Question 68

A sour smoked lower-gravity historical German wheat beer. Complex yet refreshing character due to high attenuation and carbonation along with low bitterness and moderate sourness.

Answer 68

27A: Lichtenhainer

Question 69

A pale refreshing German wheat beer with high carbonation dry finish a fluffy mouthfeel and a distinctive banana-and-clove yeast character.

Answer 69

10A: Weissbier

Question 70

A moderately dark German wheat beer with a distinctive banana-and-clove yeast character supported by a toasted bread or caramel malt flavor. Highly carbonated and refreshing with a creamy fluffy texture and light finish that encourages drinking.

Answer 70

10B: Dunkles Weissbier

Question 71

A showcase of malty richness and complex intense flavors. Chewy and rich in body with warming alcohol and a pleasant fruity or hoppy interest. When aged it can take on port-like flavors. A wintertime sipper.

Answer 71

17D: English Barleywine

Question 72

A fruity spicy refreshing version of an American IPA but with a lighter color less body and featuring either the distinctive yeast and/or spice additions typical of a Belgian witbier.

Answer 72

21B: Specialty IPA - White IPA

Question 73

An elegant malty German amber lager with a balanced complementary beechwood smoke character. Toasty-rich malt in aroma and flavor restrained bitterness low to high smoke flavor clean fermentation profile and an attenuated finish are characteristic.

Answer 73

06B: Rauchbier

Question 74

A hop-forward average-strength to moderately-strong pale bitter. Drinkability and a refreshing quality are critical components of the style.

Answer 74

12A: British Golden Ale

Question 75

A highly-carbonated tart and fruity wheat ale with a restrained coriander and salt character and low bitterness. Very refreshing with bright flavors and high attenuation.

Answer 75

27A: Gose

Question 76

An intensely-flavored big dark ale with a wide range of flavor balances and regional interpretations. Roasty-burnt malt with deep dark or dried fruit flavors and a warming bittersweet finish. Despite the intense flavors the components need to meld together to create a complex harmonious beer not a hot mess.

Answer 76

20C: Imperial Stout

Question 77

A malt-focused generally caramelly beer with perhaps a few esters and occasionally a butterscotch aftertaste. Hops only to balance and support the malt. The malt character can range from dry and grainy to rich toasty and caramelly but is never roasty and especially never has a peat smoke character. Traditionally the darkest of the Scottish ales sometimes nearly black but lacking any burnt overtly roasted character.

Answer 77

14A: Scottish Light

Question 78

A well-balanced well-attenuated bitter yet malty clean and smooth amber- to copper-colored German beer. The bitterness is balanced by the malt richness but the malt intensity and character can range from moderate to high (the bitterness increases with the malt richness).

Answer 78

07B: Altbier

Question 79

Easy-drinking approachable malt-oriented American craft beer often with interesting fruit hop or character malt notes. Well-balanced and clean is a refreshing pint without aggressive flavors.

Answer 79

18A: Blonde Ale

Question 80

A dark complex very strong Belgian ale with a delicious blend of malt richness dark fruit flavors and spicy elements. Complex rich smooth and dangerous.

Answer 80

26D: Belgian Dark Strong Ale

Question 81

A clean crisp delicately-balanced beer usually with a very subtle fruit and hop character. Subdued maltiness throughout leads into a pleasantly well-attenuated and refreshing finish. Freshness makes a huge difference with this beer as the delicate character can fade quickly with age. Brilliant clarity is characteristic.

Answer 81

05B: Kölsch

Question 82

A dunkelweizen made with rye rather than wheat but with a greater body and light finishing hops.

Answer 82

27A: Roggenbier

Question 83

An American adaptation of English Porter using American ingredients including adjuncts.

Answer 83

27A: Pre-Prohibition Porter

Question 84

A pale complex effervescent strong Belgian-style ale that is highly attenuated and features fruity and hoppy notes in preference to phenolics.

Answer 84

25C: Belgian Golden Strong Ale

Question 85

A highly-attenuated pale lager without strong flavors typically well-balanced and highly carbonated. Served cold it is refreshing and thirst-quenching.

Answer 85

02A: International Pale Lager

Question 86

Most commonly a pale refreshing highly-attenuated moderately-bitter moderate-strength Belgian ale with a very dry finish. Typically highly carbonated and using non-barley cereal grains and optional spices for complexity as complements the expressive yeast character that is fruity spicy and not overly phenolic. Less common variations include both lower-alcohol and higher-alcohol products as well as darker versions with additional malt character.

Answer 86

25B: Saison

Question 87

A black beer with a pronounced roasted flavor often similar to coffee. The balance can range from fairly even to quite bitter with the more balanced versions having a little malty sweetness and the bitter versions being quite dry. Draught versions typically are creamy from a nitro pour but bottled versions will not have this dispense-derived character. The roasted flavor can be dry and coffee-like to somewhat chocolaty.

Answer 87

15B: Irish Stout

Question 88

An easy-drinking pint often with subtle flavors. Slightly malty in the balance sometimes with an initial soft toffee/caramel sweetness a slightly grainy-biscuity palate and a touch of roasted dryness in the finish. Some versions can emphasize the caramel and sweetness more while others will favor the grainy palate and roasted dryness.

Answer 88

15A: Irish Red Ale

Question 89

A Baltic Porter often has the malt flavors reminiscent of an English porter and the restrained roast of a schwarzbier but with a higher OG and alcohol content than either. Very complex with multi-layered malt and dark fruit flavors.

Answer 89

09C: Baltic Porter

Question 90

A fairly strong highly roasted bitter hoppy dark stout. Has the body and dark flavors typical of stouts with a more aggressive American hop character and bitterness.

Answer 90

20B: American Stout

Question 91

A moderate-strength brown beer with a restrained roasty character and bitterness. May have a range of roasted flavors generally without burnt qualities and often has a chocolate-caramel-malty profile.

Answer 91

13C: English Porter

Question 92

A very dark moderately strong fairly dry stout with prominent roast flavors.

Answer 92

16D: Foreign Extra Stout

Question 93

A complex pleasantly sour but balanced wild Belgian wheat beer that is highly carbonated and very refreshing. The spontaneous fermentation character can provide a very interesting complexity with a wide range of wild barnyard horse blanket or leather characteristics intermingling with citrusy-fruity flavors and acidity.

Answer 93

23E: Gueuze

Question 94

A decidedly hoppy and bitter moderately strong American pale ale showcasing modern American or New World hop varieties. The balance is hop-forward with a clean fermentation profile dryish finish and clean supporting malt allowing a creative range of hop character to shine through.

Answer 94

21A: American IPA

Question 95

A strong full-bodied rich and malty dark German lager often with a viscous quality and strong flavors. Even though flavors are concentrated the alcohol should be smooth and warming not burning.

Answer 95

09B: Eisbock

Question 96

A luscious sweet malt-oriented dark brown ale with caramel and toffee malt complexity and a sweet finish.

Answer 96

27A: London Brown Ale

Question 97

A clean malty gold-colored German lager with a smooth grainy-sweet malty flavor and a soft dry finish. Subtle spicy floral or herbal hops and restrained bitterness help keep the balance malty but not sweet which helps make this beer a refreshing everyday drink.

Answer 97

04A: Munich Helles

Question 98

Hoppy bitter and moderately strong like an American IPA but with some caramel chocolate toffee and/or dark fruit malt character as in an American Brown Ale. Retaining the dryish finish and lean body that makes IPAs so drinkable a Brown IPA is a little more flavorful and malty than an American IPA without being sweet or heavy.

Answer 98

21B: Specialty IPA - Brown IPA

Question 99

A darker-colored light-flavored malt-accented beer with a dry finish and interesting character malt flavors. Refreshing due to its high carbonation and mild flavors and highly sessionable due to being served very fresh and with restrained alcohol levels.

Answer 99

27A: Kentucky Common

Question 100

An ale of respectable alcoholic strength traditionally bottled-conditioned and cellared. Can have a wide range of interpretations but most will have varying degrees of malty richness late hops and bitterness fruity esters and alcohol warmth. Judges should allow for a significant range in character as long as the beer is within the alcohol strength range and has an interesting ‘British’ character it likely fits the style. The malt and adjunct flavors and intensity can vary widely but any combination should result in an agreeable palate experience.

Answer 100

17A: British Strong Ale