BJCP 2021 / 32B

Specialty Smoked Beer

A well-balanced mix of a specialty base, smoke and special ingredients.

Any age
specialty beer
smoke

Serve: 48 to 55F, Snifter or tulip

The BJCP gives no numbers. Follow the base style the brewer declares.

Taste it in order

Aroma

12 pts

Base beer, smoked malt and the special ingredient in balance
Smoke from subtle to assertive
Any wood character may show

Vague: Smoky
Better: Smoke with an added note
Best: Moderate smoke with vanilla and oak from the added ingredient, base malt behind, no sharp smoke

Appearance

3 pts

Follows the base style
Often darker
Fruit or spice may shift the hue

Vague: Dark
Better: Dark and bright
Best: Base color a shade darker, clear to bright, tan head

Flavor

20 pts

Smoke echoes the aroma
The added ingredient is in balance
Smoke dries the finish

Vague: Smoky
Better: Smoke plus a special touch
Best: Moderate smoke and the added ingredient in balance with the base style, dry finish

Mouthfeel

5 pts

Follows the base style
Smooth
Smoky grip is a flaw

Vague: Smooth
Better: Smooth, base body
Best: Body of the base style, smooth, a light dryness from smoke

Overall Impression

10 pts

Lifts it

Balance among the parts

Drops it

Acrid smoke
One ingredient overpowering the rest

Writing tip

Say how the parts relate. Example: 'Gentle oak smoke with vanilla over chocolate malt. Smoke and vanilla share the stage.'

Pour these

Up in SmokeFat Head's BrewerySmoked specialty ale
Bourbon Barrel Vanilla Smoked PorterOmmegangSmoke with vanilla and barrel

Often confused with

32A Classic Style Smoked BeerClassic Style Smoked Beer has only smoke added
34C Experimental BeerExperimental Beer has no defined base

Fine here

Phenolic: Smoke phenols are expected

Ruinous here

Phenolic: Medicinal or rubbery smoke
Astringent: Ashy grip
Sulfur: Struck match

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.