BJCP 2021 / 12B

Australian Sparkling Ale

A bottle-conditioned pale ale with ester-driven fruit and a crisp finish.

Drink fresh
standard strength
pale color
top fermented
pacific

Serve: 44 to 50F, Pint or tulip

OG1.120

1.038 to 1.050

FG1.030

1.004 to 1.006

IBU120

20 to 35

SRM40

4 to 7

ABV14%

4.5 to 6.0%

Taste it in order

Aroma

12 pts

Fruity esters such as pear, apple or stone fruit
Light floral or herbal hop
Light malt sweetness

Vague: Fruity
Better: Pear and apple with light hop
Best: Moderate pear, apple and stone-fruit ester with low floral and herbal hop, light malt sweetness

Appearance

3 pts

Pale gold to light amber
Hazy from bottle-conditioned yeast
White head, moderate

Vague: Cloudy
Better: Pale gold, hazy
Best: Pale gold to light amber, slightly hazy from yeast, white head that fades

Flavor

20 pts

Fruit and a light malt base
Gentle hop flavor
Dry, moderately bitter finish

Vague: Fruity
Better: Pear fruit and light hop
Best: Moderate pear and apple ester over light bready malt, low hop flavor, moderate bitterness, dry finish

Mouthfeel

5 pts

Medium-light body
High carbonation
Crisp

Vague: Fizzy
Better: Medium-light and crisp
Best: Medium-light body, high carbonation, crisp and dry

Overall Impression

10 pts

Lifts it

Fruit and bitterness in balance

Drops it

Heavy sweetness
Strong hop

Writing tip

Describe yeast and fruit. Example: 'Pear and apple esters with crisp, dry finish. Gentle haze fits the style.'

Pour these

Sparkling AleCoopers BreweryFruity, cloudy and dry, the reference

Often confused with

18B American Pale AleAmerican Pale Ale is hoppier and has a clean yeast profile
12A British Golden AleBritish Golden Ale is clearer and less fruity

Fine here

Estery: Fruity esters are expected

Ruinous here

Diacetyl: Butter
Yeasty: Too much sediment poured in
Oxidized: Stale

Style names, numbers and vital statistics follow the BJCP 2021 beer guidelines. Descriptions and example choices are our own. Check a beer is still made before you hunt for it.