BJCP 33A · Wood Beer
Wood-Aged Beer
A base style aged in a barrel or on wood, with no prior spirit character and no sourness: it adds oak, vanilla, coconut and some tannin.
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 Wood-Aged Beer is like
A beer in which the wood adds oak, vanilla, coconut or toasty notes, integrated with the base style. It isn't sour or wild, and it has none of the character of any spirit or wine the barrel may have held.
Appearance
That of the base, sometimes a little darker from the wood.
Aroma
That of the base with wood notes: vanilla, coconut, caramel, toast or oak, depending on the wood and its toast level. Older versions may show some pleasant oxidation.
Flavor
The base style with integrated wood. Some tannin and dryness may come through. The wood shouldn't cover up the beer or leave a sawdust aftertaste.
Mouthfeel
Depends on the base, with possible light astringency from tannins. Carbonation often lower than the base style's.
Where Wood-Aged Beer comes from
Beer was stored and shipped in barrels for centuries, although brewers tried to avoid wood flavor. Today it's sought out on purpose, especially in strong, dark styles.
Ingredients
A base style, often a fairly strong one, and American or French oak as barrels, chips, cubes or spirals, or other woods.
Brew it yourself
How to brew Wood-Aged Beer at home
Oak cubes or spirals give a rounder result than chips; taste the beer every week and pull the wood once you get where you want. Boil or bake the wood first to sanitize it. You have to state the base and the type of wood; judges look for wood that comes through and integrates without excessive astringency.
Food pairing
Grilled red meat, aged cheeses and vanilla desserts.
Glassware: Teku glass, a tasting glass that works with almost any style.
Frequently asked questions
What food pairs well with Wood-Aged Beer?
Grilled red meat, aged cheeses and vanilla desserts.
Which styles are similar?
If you like it, also try Specialty Wood-Aged Beer, Old Ale and American Barleywine.
If you like Wood-Aged Beer, try these
Classification and statistics: official Wood-Aged Beer guidelines from the BJCP, 2021 edition. Original text by Hacer Cerveza Casera.