BJCP 30B · Spiced Beer
Autumn Seasonal Beer
An amber or copper beer with pumpkin or other vegetables and pie spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, clove. Made for the colder months.
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 Autumn Seasonal Beer is like
A malty beer with autumn spices reminiscent of pumpkin pie. If it includes pumpkin or sweet potato, they add body and some flavor, although the spices usually stand out more.
Appearance
Usually amber to copper or brown. Clear or slightly hazy from the pumpkin.
Aroma
Sweet spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, ginger or allspice, over malt with caramel or toast. No spice should dominate.
Flavor
Malt with caramel or biscuit, autumn spices and, if present, a soft vegetal background of pumpkin. Low to moderate bitterness and a balanced finish, neither cloying nor harsh.
Mouthfeel
Medium to full body. Moderate carbonation. Some spices give a slight warmth.
Where Autumn Seasonal Beer comes from
Pumpkin beer has colonial roots in North America, where pumpkin was used to make up for a shortage of malt. The modern spiced version became very popular with American craft beer.
Ingredients
A malty base style, often amber, pumpkin, winter squash or sweet potato, and pie spices. Brown sugar or molasses in some versions.
Brew it yourself
How to brew Autumn Seasonal Beer at home
Roast the pumpkin in chunks first and add it to the mash with rice hulls so the sparge doesn't get stuck. Add the spices late in the boil or as a tincture at bottling, carefully. You have to state the base and the ingredients; judges look for everything to come together like a good fall dessert.
Food pairing
Roast turkey, pumpkin pie and aged sheep's milk cheese.
Glassware: Teku glass, a tasting glass that works with almost any style.
Frequently asked questions
What food pairs well with Autumn Seasonal Beer?
Roast turkey, pumpkin pie and aged sheep's milk cheese.
Which styles are similar?
If you like it, also try Winter Seasonal Beer, Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Beer and American Amber Ale.
If you like Autumn Seasonal Beer, try these
Classification and statistics: official Autumn Seasonal Beer guidelines from the BJCP, 2021 edition. Original text by Hacer Cerveza Casera.