{"id":47758,"date":"2026-02-18T09:07:51","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T13:07:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/?p=47758"},"modified":"2026-07-06T16:19:07","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T20:19:07","slug":"brewers-association-unveils-2026-beer-style-guidelines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/en\/brewers-association-unveils-2026-beer-style-guidelines\/","title":{"rendered":"Brewers Association Unveils Its 2026 Beer Style Guidelines"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"thebe-897164128\" class=\"thebe-fuente-preferida-2 thebe-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Advertisements\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=thebeertimes.com\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"A\u00f1adir como fuente preferida en google\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Anadir-como-fuente-preferida-en-google-1.jpg\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Anadir-como-fuente-preferida-en-google-1.jpg 638w, https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Anadir-como-fuente-preferida-en-google-1-300x60.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 638px) 100vw, 638px\" width=\"175\" height=\"127\"  style=\"display: inline-block;\" \/><\/a><\/div><p>The Brewers Association has just published the latest update of its 2026 Beer Style Guidelines, one of the most influential reference documents for the craft industry globally.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_43954\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-43954\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-43954 size-full\" title=\"Brewers Association\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Brewers-Association.jpg\" alt=\"Brewers Association\" width=\"600\" height=\"315\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Brewers-Association.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Brewers-Association-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Brewers-Association-114x60.jpg 114w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-43954\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Brewers Association<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>This new edition aims to update beyond the routine and presents itself as a statement of intent on where the sector is heading, highlighting the addition of Rice Lager as an official category and a comprehensive redefinition of quality standards for traditional European styles.<\/p><div id=\"thebe-4011693842\" class=\"thebe-maridaje-sin-rodes thebe-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-bottom: 40px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Advertisements\"><div style=\"background-color: #ffffff; border: 1px solid #ccc; border-radius: 12px; padding: 16px; max-width: 320px; margin: 20px auto; text-align: center; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-45353\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/71vKJFxJDRL._SL1500_-187x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"125\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/71vKJFxJDRL._SL1500_-187x300.jpg 187w, https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/71vKJFxJDRL._SL1500_.jpg 312w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 125px) 100vw, 125px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #0000ff; font-weight: bold; margin: 8px 0; line-height: 1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B0GF4CFJBL\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\">Maridaje de cerveza y marihuana. La ciencia sensorial para el sommelier moderno<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"fasc-button fasc-size-medium fasc-type-flat fasc-rounded-medium fasc-ico-before dashicons-cart\" style=\"background-color: #ffd100; color: #000000;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B0GF4CFJBL\">Comprar en Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>For industry professionals, this launch marks the beginning of a new technical cycle in brewing and sensory judging.<br \/>\n<div id=\"thebe-3013076817\" style=\"margin-bottom: 30px;\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Advertisements\"><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-9395258998211551\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><insclass=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9395258998211551\" data-ad-slot=\"8775458773\" data-ad-format=\"auto\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><\/p>\n<h2>Key points of the update<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Rice Lager is established as its own style, moving away from being a mere attachment to becoming a standard for lightness and technique.<\/li>\n<li>Critical adjustments in the descriptions of Belgian and German families to reflect the evolution of ingredients and traditional methods.<\/li>\n<li>Direct response to the rise of light-bodied and low-alcohol beers that dominate the current landscape.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>The emergence of Rice Lager<\/h2>\n<p>The Brewers Association&#8217;s decision to grant exclusive space to Rice Lager is not a coincidental move.<\/p>\n<p>Over the last decade, the use of rice in craft beer has gone from being a stigmatized practice, associated with cost reduction in the macro industry, to a design tool for achieving extremely clean and dry profiles.<\/p>\n<p>Unlike conventional lagers, the rice variant seeks to minimize the footprint of barley malt to highlight crystal clarity.<\/p>\n<p>The challenge for the brewer lies in managing the gelatinization of the cereal and ensuring that the yeast works without generating byproducts that mar the subtlety of the final product.<\/p>\n<p>According to the new guide, a pale to straw-colored beer is expected, with contained but perceptible bitterness, where rice provides a silky texture and a refreshing finish that makes it the preferred option for pairing with Asian gastronomy or warm climates.<\/p>\n<p>Chuck Skypeck, Technical Brewing Projects Director, Brewers Association, states:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>This update reflects how product portfolios continue to diversify to meet changing consumer preferences.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2>German and Belgian tradition<\/h2>\n<p>On the other hand, the 2026 guide has deepened the descriptions of Belgian abbey beers and German regional specialties. These changes respond to a need for greater accuracy in sensory vocabulary.<\/p>\n<p>For example, in German low-fermentation styles (Kellerbier or Zwickelbier), the allowed levels of cloudiness and the presence of sulfur compounds have been nuanced, seeking a balance between the rusticity of the style and the technical quality demanded today.<\/p>\n<p>In the Belgian spectrum, updates focus on the complexity of esters and phenols, providing judges with a more graduated scale to evaluate the typicality of styles such as Saison or Dubbel.<br \/>\n<div id=\"thebe-1387710687\" style=\"margin-bottom: 20px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Advertisements\"><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-9395258998211551\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><insclass=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block; text-align:center;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9395258998211551\" data-ad-slot=\"1179889612\" data-ad-layout=\"in-article\" data-ad-format=\"fluid\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><\/p><div id=\"thebe-1012392479\" class=\"thebe-libros-amazon thebe-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Advertisements\"><div style=\"background-color: #ffffff; border: 1px solid #ccc; border-radius: 12px; padding: 16px; max-width: 320px; margin: 20px auto; text-align: center; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-43340 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Catar-cerveza-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Gu\u00eda Pr\u00e1ctica Catar Cerveza Amazon\" width=\"200\" height=\"199\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Catar-cerveza-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Catar-cerveza-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Catar-cerveza-370x370.jpg 370w, https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Catar-cerveza.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #0000ff; font-weight: bold; margin: 8px 0; line-height: 1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3LddZmQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\">Gu\u00eda pr\u00e1ctica para catar cerveza: C\u00f3mo apreciar correctamente todas las cervezas del mundo<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"fasc-button fasc-size-medium fasc-type-flat fasc-rounded-medium fasc-ico-before dashicons-cart\" style=\"background-color: #ffd100; color: #000000;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3LddZmQ\">Comprar en Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Impact on WBC and the global industry<\/h2>\n<p>For breweries, aligning with these guidelines does not mean renouncing creativity, but rather speaking a universal language.<\/p>\n<p>A brewer in Mexico or Spain who decides to label their product as a Rice Lager under the 2026 criteria is guaranteeing the consumer and distributor a quality standard and a specific sensory profile. This reduces market friction and elevates the professionalization of the sector.<\/p>\n<p>The Brewers Association has facilitated access to this essential document through its official channels and you can <a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.brewersassociation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/19140641\/2026_BA_Beer_Style_Guidelines.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">download it here<\/a>. (*)<\/p>\n<h2>Information architecture<\/h2>\n<p>The guide&#8217;s structure is organized hierarchically, facilitating quick consultation for professionals.<\/p>\n<p>It is divided into major families (European-origin Lagers, North American-origin Ales, hybrid styles, etc.) and within each technical sheet, critical variables such as appearance, aroma, flavor, and mouthfeel are detailed.<\/p>\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)<\/h2>\n<h3>1. Why is Rice Lager added now and not before?<\/h3>\n<p>The recognition of a style requires a critical mass of commercial production and a defined sensory identity. Rice Lager has proven to be a stable trend, not a passing fad.<\/p>\n<h3>2. Do these changes affect beers already registered in competitions?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes. Breweries planning to compete in 2026 should review whether their recipes match the new descriptions, especially in Belgian and German categories.<\/p>\n<h3>3. What is the difference between this guide and the BJCP&#8217;s?<\/h3>\n<p>The BA guide is more oriented toward the commercial industry and professional competitions, while the BJCP traditionally focuses on the homebrewer realm.<\/p>\n<h3>4. Are there new experimental styles in 2026?<\/h3>\n<p>The 2026 guide continues to expand the experimental styles section, allowing innovations that do not fit into fixed categories to have an evaluation framework based on the brewer&#8217;s intent.<\/p>\n<h3>5. Where can I consult the guide in Spanish?<\/h3>\n<p>Although the original source is in English, organizations such as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brewersassociation.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Brewers Association<\/a> offer resources that are usually translated by local associations throughout the year.<\/p>\n<p>(*) At The Beer Times, we have created a Spanish translation with automated tools that you can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2026_BA_Beer_Style_Guidelines-Espanol.pdf\">download here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div id=\"thebe-4087088292\" class=\"thebe-maridaje-cerveza-marihuana thebe-entity-placement\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Advertisements\"><div style=\"background-color: #ffffff; border: 1px solid #ccc; border-radius: 12px; padding: 16px; max-width: 320px; margin: 20px auto; text-align: center; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-49643\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Maridaje-de-Cerveza-y-queso-profesional-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Maridaje-de-Cerveza-y-queso-profesional-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Maridaje-de-Cerveza-y-queso-profesional-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Maridaje-de-Cerveza-y-queso-profesional-370x370.jpg 370w, https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Maridaje-de-Cerveza-y-queso-profesional.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #0000ff; font-weight: bold; margin: 8px 0; line-height: 1.2;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4qHemVH\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\">Maridaje de cerveza y queso profesional. Ciencia, t\u00e9cnica y sinergia sensorial<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"fasc-button fasc-size-medium fasc-type-flat fasc-rounded-medium fasc-ico-before dashicons-cart\" style=\"background-color: #ffd100; color: #000000;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"\">Comprar en Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><h2>We recommend<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/en\/english-ipa-vs-american-ipa-style-references-similarities-and-differences\/\">English IPA vs. American IPA: Style references, similarities and differences<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/cerveza-y-queso-azul-la-dieta-de-los-mineros-austriacos-hace-2-700-anos\/\">Beer and blue cheese: The diet of Austrian miners 2,700 years ago<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"thebe-1958552083\" class=\"thebe-multiplex-final thebe-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Advertisements\"><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-9395258998211551\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><insclass=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9395258998211551\" data-ad-slot=\"2413980541\" data-ad-format=\"autorelaxed\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Brewers Association has just published the latest update of its 2026 Beer Style Guidelines, one of the most influential reference documents for the craft in<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":43954,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wpai_generated_summary":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[21274],"tags":[21480,21617,21213],"class_list":["post-47758","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-news","tag-craft-beer","tag-estilos-de-cerveja","tag-present"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47758","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=47758"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47758\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/43954"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=47758"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=47758"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebeertimes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=47758"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}