> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://styles.bjcp.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://styles.bjcp.org/bjcp-2021-beer/introduction-to-beer-styles/style-tag-reference.md).

# Style Tag Reference

To assist with regrouping styles for other purposes, we have added informational tags to each style. These tags indicate certain attributes of the beer that may be used for grouping purposes. The ‘meaning’ column explains the general intent of the tag, but is not meant to be rigorous, formal definition. In no way do the tags supersede the actual descriptions of the style.

| Category                  | Tag                | Meaning                                               |
| ------------------------- | ------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------- |
| Strength                  |                    |                                                       |
|                           | session-strength   | <4% ABV                                               |
|                           | standard-strength  | 4-6% ABV                                              |
|                           | high-strength      | 6-9% ABV                                              |
|                           | very-high-strength | 9% ABV                                                |
| Color                     |                    |                                                       |
|                           | pale-color         | straw to gold                                         |
|                           | amber-color        | amber to copper-brown                                 |
|                           | dark-color         | dark brown to black                                   |
| Fermentation/Conditioning |                    |                                                       |
|                           | top-fermented      | ale yeast                                             |
|                           | bottom-fermented   | lager yeast                                           |
|                           | any-fermented      | ale yeast or lager yeast                              |
|                           | wild-fermented     | non-Saccharomyces yeast/bacteria                      |
|                           | lagered            | ale yeast or lager yeast                              |
|                           | aged               | long conditioning before release                      |
| Region of Origin          |                    |                                                       |
|                           | british-isles      | England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland                     |
|                           | western-europe     | Belgium, France, Netherlands                          |
|                           | central-europe     | Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Scandinavia         |
|                           | eastern-europe     | Poland, Baltic States, Russia                         |
|                           | north-america      | United States, Canada, Mexico                         |
|                           | pacific            | Australia, New Zealand                                |
| Style Family              |                    |                                                       |
|                           | ipa-family         |                                                       |
|                           | brown-ale-family   |                                                       |
|                           | pale-ale-family    |                                                       |
|                           | pale-lager-family  |                                                       |
|                           | pilsner-family     |                                                       |
|                           | amber-ale-family   |                                                       |
|                           | amber-lager-family |                                                       |
|                           | dark-lager-family  |                                                       |
|                           | porter-family      |                                                       |
|                           | stout-family       |                                                       |
|                           | bock-family        |                                                       |
|                           | strong-ale-family  |                                                       |
|                           | wheat-beer-family  |                                                       |
|                           | specialty-beer     |                                                       |
| Era                       |                    |                                                       |
|                           | craft-style        | developed in the modern craft beer era                |
|                           | traditional-style  | developed before the modern craft beer era            |
|                           | historical-style   | no longer made, or very limited production            |
| Dominant Flavor           |                    |                                                       |
|                           | malty              | malt-forward flavor                                   |
|                           | bitter             | bitter-forward flavor                                 |
|                           | balanced           | similar malt and bitter intensity                     |
|                           | hoppy              | hop flavor                                            |
|                           | roasty             | roasted malt/grain                                    |
|                           | sweet              | noticeable residual sweetness or sugar flavor         |
|                           | smoke              | flavor of smoked malt or grain                        |
|                           | sour               | noticeable sourness or intentionally elevated acidity |
|                           | wood               | wood or barrel age character                          |
|                           | fruit              | noticeable flavor and/or aroma of fruit               |
|                           | spice              | noticeable flavor and/or aroma of spices              |