BJCP 2021 / 31B

Alternative Sugar Beer

Added sugar that blends smoothly so the result still tastes like beer.

Drink fresh
specialty beer

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

Matches the base beer
Honey, molasses, maple or similar sugar
Blended in a pleasant way

Vague: Sweet
Better: Base aroma with a sugar note
Best: Base style aroma with a faint honey or maple note, blended and balanced

Appearance

3 pts

Matches the base beer
Some sugars darken the color
Normal head

Vague: Dark
Better: Base color, slightly deeper
Best: Base color, a touch darker if the sugar is dark, clear to bright

Flavor

20 pts

Matches the base beer
Sugar flavor balanced with the rest
Sugar tastes fermented in

Vague: Sweet
Better: Base flavor with sugar
Best: Base flavor plus a balanced honey or molasses note, no raw sweetness, finish set by whether the sugar ferments

Mouthfeel

5 pts

Matches the base beer
Unfermentable sugar adds body
Fermentable sugar dries it

Vague: Smooth
Better: Body shaped by sugar
Best: Body matches the base, slightly fuller or drier depending on the sugar

Overall Impression

10 pts

Lifts it

Sugar that adds depth

Drops it

Raw or cloying sugar

Writing tip

Describe the sugar by type and level. Example: 'Honey note on a pale ale base, dry finish. Sweet aroma, balanced flavor.'

Pour these

HopslamBell's BreweryHoney added to a big hoppy ale
Cabin FeverNew GlarusHoney in a malty ale
Harvest AleLong TrailMaple sugar in a malt base

Often confused with

31A Alternative Grain BeerAlternative Grain Beer adds grain
30D Specialty Spice BeerSpecialty Spice Beer adds spice too

Fine here

Alcoholic: Warmth in stronger examples

Ruinous here

Yeasty: Raw, unfermented sugar
Solvent: Hot fusels
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.