Winter Specialty Beer
A stronger, darker, spiced beer that often has a rich body and warming finish suggesting a good accompaniment for the cold winter season.
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Classic characteristics
Flavor Profile Deep Dive
Service notes
BJCP designation
Overall Impression: A stronger, darker, spiced beer that often has a rich body and warming finish suggesting a good accompaniment for the cold winter season.
Entry Instructions: Specify the spices, sugars, fruits or additional fermentables used, and provide a description identifying either a base style or the beer's target character.
Style Comparison: Emphasizes holiday-themed character through spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves), specialty sugars and dried fruits. Known in the BJCP 2021 guidelines as Winter Seasonal Beer.
Vital Statistics: OG, FG, IBUs, SRM and ABV are not defined independently for this category – they vary with the declared base style. BJCP 2021. ABV generally exceeds 6%, with darker color common.
Source: BJCP 2021 Style Guidelines, bjcp.org, retrieved 2026-09-13. Vital statistics are as published; descriptive text is condensed from the published guideline.
Brewers Association designation
Style comparison
Similar Styles
Emphasizes holiday-themed character through spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves), specialty sugars and dried fruits. Known in the BJCP 2021 guidelines as Winter Seasonal Beer.
Ingredients
Brewing process
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Spirit pairings
The soundtrack
Keep exploring
- BJCP Guidelines: 30C (Winter Specialty Beer)
- Beer Judge Certification Program: BJCP Official Guidelines