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(Photo © Brewers Association)
The Boulder-based trade organization, Brewers Association, recently released their updated style-guidelines for 2021 and it’s always fun to see what they’ve added.
Every year since 1979, Brewers Association (BA) has issued new guidelines that serve as a resource for brewers, beer judges and competition organizers, and recognize the ever-evolving diversity of beer styles around the world. They also point to brewing trends that are gaining momentum.
“Craft brewers in the US and around the world continue to push the boundaries of beer by reviving long lost styles and by innovating in new beer flavor spaces,” said Chris Swersey, competition manager, Brewers Association…
BA’s Chris Swersey
“The 2021 Beer Style Guidelines reflect many exciting trends in brewing with numerous additions and updates for accuracy,” said Swersey. “The guidelines have fostered a lexicon that has allowed the community of drinkers and brewers to talk about beer and celebrate beer across diverse cultures, around the world.”
The task of creating a realistic set of guidelines is always complex. Much of the early work was based on the assistance and contributions of beer journalist Michael Jackson. And over the years, these guidelines were greatly expanded, compiled, and edited by Charlie Papazian.
Now the beer style guidelines developed by the Brewers Association use sources from the commercial brewing industry, beer analyses, and consultations with beer industry experts and knowledgeable beer enthusiasts as resources for information.
Hundreds of revisions, edits, format changes, and additions were made to this year’s guidelines, including updates to existing beer styles and the creation of three new stylistic categories….
- Kentucky Common Beer
- New Zealand-Style Pale Ale and India Pale Ale
- Belgian-Style Session Ale
The Belgian-origin ale styles group was also significantly revised based on numerous comments from judges and Belgian beer experts. The previous Belgian-Style Pale Ale was renamed as Belgian-Style Speciale Belge.
“The Brewers Association Beer Style Guidelines are a trusted resource for the brewing industry worldwide,” said Swersey.
“The guidelines have fostered a lexicon that has allowed the community of drinkers and brewers to talk about beer and celebrate beer across diverse cultures, around the world.”
There were no style deletions to the BA’s 2021 Beer Style Guidelines.
