BJCP 2021 / 33B
Specialty Wood-Aged Beer
A base style rounded out by time in a barrel and the traces of what it held.
- Ages well
- specialty beer
- wood
Serve: 52 to 58F, Snifter
The BJCP gives no fixed numbers. OG and ABV are typically above the base style, FG and IBU follow the base, and color is often darker.
Taste it in order
Aroma
12 pts- Mild to moderate wood
- Vanilla, caramel, toffee or cocoa from the barrel
- Restrained notes of the spirit or wine the barrel held
- Vague
- Boozy
- Better
- Barrel with vanilla
- Best
- Moderate oak and vanilla with a light bourbon note over roasty malt, spirit present but restrained
Appearance
3 pts- Usually darker than the base
- Charred barrels deepen the color
- Wine barrels can add a tint
- Vague
- Black
- Better
- Deep and glossy
- Best
- Dark brown to black, glossy, tan head that fades slowly
Flavor
20 pts- Wood with vanilla, caramel, butterscotch, coffee or chocolate
- Spirit or wine character in balance
- Wood and alcohol support the base
- Vague
- Boozy
- Better
- Barrel and spirit
- Best
- Moderate oak, vanilla and bourbon blending with the base stout's chocolate and roast, warmth smooth
Mouthfeel
5 pts- Wood tannin adds body and dryness
- Alcohol warmth is typical
- Warmth stays smooth
- Vague
- Warm
- Better
- Full and warming
- Best
- Full body, warming alcohol that stays smooth, slight dryness from oak
Overall Impression
10 ptsLifts it
- Barrel and base in balance
- Smooth warmth
Drops it
- Hot booze
- Wood that dominates
Writing tip
Judge barrel and base together. Example: 'Bourbon and vanilla over fudgy stout, warmth smooth, wood in balance.'
Pour these
- Bourbon County StoutGoose IslandBourbon barrel and big stout
- Kentucky Breakfast StoutFounders BrewingCoffee stout aged in bourbon barrels
- Angel's ShareThe Lost AbbeyBrandy and bourbon barrel strong ale
Often confused with
- 33A Wood-Aged BeerWood-Aged Beer has wood alone
- 22C American BarleywineAmerican Barleywine can be barrel aged but is judged as barleywine
Fine here
- Alcoholic: Warmth belongs here
- Oxidized: A little sherry or port note
Ruinous here
- Solvent: Hot, harsh spirit
- Astringent: Harsh wood tannin
- Sour/Acidic: Infection from the barrel
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.