BJCP 2021 / 30B
Autumn Seasonal Beer
A rich, malty, lightly spiced beer for cool weather that suggests harvest.
- Drink fresh
- specialty beer
- spice
Serve: 48 to 54F, Pint or tulip
The BJCP gives no numbers beyond ABV, which is generally above 5%. Follow the base style the brewer declares.
Taste it in order
Aroma
12 pts- Malty and spicy with a harvest feel
- Warm baking spices
- Hops low, alcohol smooth
- Vague
- Pumpkin
- Better
- Malt and baking spice
- Best
- Moderate caramel and bread malt with cinnamon and nutmeg, faint squash sweetness, hops quiet
Appearance
3 pts- Medium amber to copper-brown
- Clear
- Off-white to tan head that lasts
- Vague
- Orange
- Better
- Amber and clear
- Best
- Medium amber to copper, clear, persistent tan head
Flavor
20 pts- Warming or sweet spices
- Caramel, bread crust, biscuit or nuts
- Sugars like molasses or brown sugar in the background
- Vague
- Spiced
- Better
- Pie spice over malt
- Best
- Moderate cinnamon and clove over caramel and biscuit malt, a little brown sugar, low bitterness, no roast
Mouthfeel
5 pts- Medium to full body
- Moderately low to moderately high carbonation
- Warming
- Vague
- Full
- Better
- Rich and chewy
- Best
- Medium-full body, slightly chewy, soft carbonation, gentle alcohol warmth
Overall Impression
10 ptsLifts it
- Spices that support the malt
Drops it
- Pie-filling sweetness
- Spice dust
Writing tip
Separate spice from malt. Example: 'Cinnamon and nutmeg over caramel malt, rich body, warming finish. Spice is gentle.'
Pour these
- Punkin AleDogfish HeadPumpkin pie spice over amber malt
- Pumpkin AleSchlaflySpiced and malty
- Pumpkin Patch AleRogueSquash and spice
Often confused with
- 30C Winter Seasonal BeerWinter Seasonal is stronger and darker
- 19A American Amber AleAmerican Amber Ale has no spice
Fine here
- Alcoholic: Smooth warming fits
- Oxidized: A little age character is accepted
Ruinous here
- Astringent: Harsh spice
- Diacetyl: Butter
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.