BJCP 2021 / 30A
Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Beer
A blend of spice, herb or vegetable with beer that still tastes like beer.
- Drink fresh
- specialty beer
- spice
Serve: 42 to 52F, Suited to the base style
The BJCP gives no numbers. Follow the base style the brewer declares.
Taste it in order
Aroma
12 pts- The added spice, herb or vegetable is noticeable
- Base beer aroma underneath
- Hop aroma often reduced
- Vague
- Spicy
- Better
- Spice over base beer
- Best
- Moderate coriander and orange peel over soft pale malt, hops low, spice adds complexity without taking over
Appearance
3 pts- Follows the base style
- Ingredient color may show
- Haze is generally a flaw
- Vague
- Cloudy
- Better
- Base color, bright
- Best
- Color of the base beer with a slight tint from the ingredient, bright, normal head
Flavor
20 pts- Added flavor from subtle to assertive
- Some ingredients add bitterness
- Malt, hops and yeast suit the base and the spice
- Vague
- Spiced
- Better
- Spice with the base beer
- Best
- Clear ginger or coriander flavor in step with the base malt and hops, any added bitterness accounted for
Mouthfeel
5 pts- Follows the base style
- Ingredients can raise or lower body
- Raw spice harshness is a fault
- Vague
- Smooth
- Better
- Base body, smooth
- Best
- Body in line with the base, smooth, with no raw spice bite
Overall Impression
10 ptsLifts it
- Added ingredient that fits the base
- Balance
Drops it
- Artificial flavor
- Harsh raw spice
Writing tip
Name the ingredient and the base. Example: 'Ginger and orange peel over a soft wheat base. Spice is clear and balanced.'
Pour these
- Young's Double Chocolate StoutYoung'sChocolate added to a stout base
- Founders Breakfast StoutFounders BrewingCoffee and chocolate in a stout
- Avatar Jasmine IPAElysian BrewingFloral jasmine over hops
Often confused with
- 30D Specialty Spice BeerSpecialty Spice Beer adds sugars as well
- 34C Experimental BeerExperimental Beer has no defined theme
Fine here
- Astringent: A little tannin from herbs is fine
Ruinous here
- Astringent: Harsh, raw spice
- Vegetal: Cooked vegetable that was not intended
- Phenolic: Medicinal or chemical
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.