BJCP 34C · Specialty Beer
Experimental Beer
For anything that doesn't fit in any other category: truly new techniques, ingredients or ideas. Judges assess whether the experiment works.
This is a specialty category, so it has no numbers of its own. Gravity, bitterness, color and alcohol are those of the base style you choose, plus whatever the special ingredient or process adds.
What Experimental Beer is like
A beer that doesn't fit any other style or category in the guidelines, not even by combining the specialty ones. Creativity is valued, but so is being enjoyable to drink.
Appearance
Open.
Aroma
Open, according to what the brewer declares.
Flavor
Open, according to what's declared. It has to match the description and be free of faults.
Mouthfeel
Open.
Where Experimental Beer comes from
It's the closing category of the guidelines, so there's room for anything truly new.
Ingredients
Whatever the brewer wants, as long as the result doesn't fit in any other category.
Brew it yourself
How to brew Experimental Beer at home
Describe clearly what you did and what you expect the judge to perceive, because the judge has no other reference. Before choosing it, go through categories 28 to 34: most beers with unusual ingredients fit in one of them.
Food pairing
Depends on the beer.
Glassware: Teku glass, a tasting glass that works with almost any style.
Frequently asked questions
What food pairs well with Experimental Beer?
Depends on the beer.
Which styles are similar?
If you like it, also try Mixed-Style Beer and Commercial Specialty Beer.
If you like Experimental Beer, try these
Classification and statistics: official Experimental Beer guidelines from the BJCP, 2021 edition. Original text by Hacer Cerveza Casera.