The world is becoming more digital and is in a constant state of flux. The beer market is also subject to this change. That's why the categories and beer styles of the European Beer Star are adapted every year to current consumer expectations. The feedback from our experienced judges from all over the world - the stars of the competition - helps us.
The European Beer Star is dedicated to promoting beer culture. That's why we describe selected beer styles in more detail in each issue of our Beer Star News. The European Beer star pays special attention to beer styles originating from Europe.
Looking for a tasting description of the winning beers? Then check out the gold comments from the tasting panel of our winners from last year. Just click on the winning logos of the respective categories.
Your beer fits into one of the categories described?
Then compete with the best beers in the world!
The color of the beers is decisive at European Beer Star. In some categories, a non-specific color for the beer style of the beer can lead to exclusion by the tasters. The beer will be judged as out-of-style. The beer color chart of European Beer Star is decisive for the decision of the tasters.
In order to prevent your beer from being classified as out-of-style due to deviating colour, you can use the adjacent beer colour chart to determine the colour of your beers and compare it with the category descriptions.
Original gravity | 6,0 - 9,5 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 1,5 - 2,5 °Plato |
Alcohol | 2,0 - 3,0 % by weight |
2,0 - 3,5 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 14 - 28 IBU |
Original gravity | 11,0 - 12,9 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 1,5 - 3,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | 3,6 - 4,3 % by weight |
4,0 - 5,5 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 25 - 50 IBU |
Original gravity | 11,0 - 12,9 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 2,5 - 4,5 °Plato |
Alcohol | 3,1 - 4,3 % by weight |
4,0 - 5,5 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 20 - 40 IBU |
Original gravity | 7,0 - 10,9 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 1,8 - 3,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | 3,0 - 3,6 % by weight |
3,5 - 4,0 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 20 - 40 IBU |
Original gravity | 13,0 - 14,0 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 3,0 - 5,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | 4,3 - 5,0 % by weight |
5,2 - 6,7 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 18 - 28 IBU |
Original gravity | 13,0 - 14,5 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 3,0 - 5,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | 4,3 - 5,0 % by weight |
5,2 - 6,7 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 18 - 35 IBU |
Original gravity | 11,0 - 11,9 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 2,0 - 3,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | 3,7 - 4,1 % by weight |
4,5 - 5,2 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 15 - 25 IBU |
Original gravity | 11,4 - 12,2 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 1,5 - 2,9 °Plato |
Alcohol | 3,7 - 4,2 % by weight |
4,7 - 5,4 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 17 - 25 IBU |
Original gravity | 9,6 - 11,5 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 2,0 - 3,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | 3,2 - 3,9 % by weight |
3,6 - 4,7 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 10 - 15 IBU |
Original gravity | 11,0 - 15,9 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 2,0 - 3,5 °Plato |
Alcohol | 3,6 - 6,2 % by weight |
4,0 - 7,8 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 25 - 70 IBU |
In order to facilitate sensory evaluation, it is necessary for the brewery to provide additional information about the beer when submitting the entry:
Original gravity | 12,0 - 14,0 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 2,3 - 3,5 °Plato |
Alcohol | 4,0 - 4,8 % by weight |
5,0 - 6,7 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 18 - 30 IBU |
Original gravity | 11,0 - 14,0 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 2,0 - 4,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | 3,5 - 4,7 % by weight |
4,5 - 5,9 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 15 - 25 IBU |
Colour | 40 - 60 EBC |
Original gravity | 11,0 - 13,0 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 2,0 - 4,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | 3,5 - 4,7 % by weight |
4,5 - 5,9 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 18 - 30 IBU |
Farbe | > 60 EBC |
Original gravity | 10,0 - 13,0 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 2,0 - 4,5 °Plato |
Alcohol | 3,1 - 4,4 % by weight |
4,0 - 5,8 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 20 - 30 IBU |
Farbe | > 60 EBC |
Original gravity | 16,0 - 17,9 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 3,0 - 5,5 °Plato |
Alcohol | 5,2 - 6,4 % by weight |
6,2 - 8,0 % by volume | |
Farbe | < 29 EBC |
Original gravity | 16,0 - 17,9 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 3,5 - 6,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | 5,0 - 6,4 % by weight |
6,2 - 8,0 % by volume | |
Farbe | ≥ 30 EBC |
Please note the colour- and alcohol ranges in this category!
Barrel-aged representants must be submitted in the category Wood and Barrel Aged Strong Beer.
Original gravity | 18,0 - 22,0 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 3,5 - 5,5 °Plato |
Alcohol | 5,6 - 6,8 % by weight |
6,5 - 10,0 % by volume | |
Farbe | < 29 EBC |
Please note the colour- and alcohol ranges in this category!
Barrel-aged representants must be submitted in the category Wood and Barrel Aged Strong Beer.
Original gravity | 18,0 - 22,0 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 3,5 - 5,5 °Plato |
Alcohol | 5,6 - 6,8 % by weight |
6,5 - 10,0 % by volume | |
Farbe | ≥ 30 EBC |
Please note the colour- and alcohol ranges in this category!
Barrel-aged representants must be submitted in the category Wood and Barrel Aged Strong Beer.
Original gravity | 11,0 - 15,0 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 2,0 - 3,5 °Plato |
Alcohol | 3,5 - 5,0 % by weight |
4,5 - 6,5 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 15 - 40 IBU |
Original gravity | 15,0 - 23,0 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 2,0 - 5,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | > 5,0 % by weight |
> 6,5 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 20 - 50 IBU |
Colour | < 29 EBC |
Original gravity | 15,0 - 25,0 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 2,5 - 6,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | > 5,0 % by weight |
> 6,5 % by volume | |
Farbe | ≥ 30 EBC |
Bitterness | 15 - 50 IBU |
Original gravity | 13,0 - 18,0 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 2,5 - 4,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | 5,0 - 6,7 % by weight |
6,0 - 8,0 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 20 - 40 IBU |
Original gravity | 16,0 - 22,0 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 2,5 - 4,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | 5,5 - 8,0 % by weight |
7,0 - 10,0 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 20 - 40 IBU |
Original gravity | 5,0 - 12,0 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 1,5 - 3,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | 2,0 - 4,5 % by weight |
2,5 - 5,5 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 5 - 25 IBU |
Note: Sour Beers with recognizable wood barrel aging aromas should be submitted in the category "Wood and Barrel Aged Sour Beer". Classic Belgian Lambic, Geuze, and Fruit Geuze should be submitted in the designated category "Belgian-Style Geuze and Lambic".
In order to facilitate sensory evaluation, it is necessary for the brewery to provide additional information about the beer when submitting the entry:
Original gravity | 8,0 - 20,0 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 1,5 - 4,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | 2,8 - 8,0 % by weight |
3,5 - 10,0 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 5 - 35 IBU |
All Fruit Geuze are sweet/sour balanced and show less or now Brettanomyces character are to be submitted in this category.
Fruit beers with a pronounced milk-sour character should be submitted in the “Fruit Sour Beer” category.
Beer mixed with soft drinks or fruit juice are NOT included in this category.
The brewery should give the following, additional details of the beer during registration to facilitate the sensory evaluation:
Original gravity | > 11,0 °Plato |
Apparent extract | > 2,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | > 4,0 % by weight |
> 5,0 % by volume |
Beers which have been aged in a wooden barrel over a longer period of time, or were matured in contact with wood, and therefore possess sensible sensory characteristics originating from the wood with which it was in contact (e.g. aromas reminiscent of vanilla, coconut, tobacco, caramel, honey, black tea or earthy aromas)
Due to the special ageing process, these beers can also have a very low CO2 content; beers without foam can therefore also be regarded as typical of this type
The brewery should give the following, additional details of the beer during registration to facilitate the sensory evaluation:
Original gravity | 7,0 - 25,0 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 0,5 - 7,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | 2,5 - 11,5 % by weight |
3,1 - 14,5 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 6 - 35 IBU |
The grape content of this hybrid of malt and grapes can be up to 40% of the total extract. Both grapes and grape must (the latter also partially boiled down) can be used at various stages of the brewing process.
The objective of this beer style is to achieve a balance between the wine and beer character. The wide variety of raw material selection like for example the use of pale malts up to roasted malts in various brewing processes result in a very broad sensory spectrum in this beer style.
Hops aroma is rather subtle in the background
Turbidity is allowed
No Diacetyl
The grape varieties used (red or white) should be recognizable in their typicality.
Both classic brewing yeasts (top or bottom fermenting) or/and wild wine yeasts as well as acid-forming bacteria are permitted during fermentation. Accordingly, acid notes as well as harmoniously integrated Brettanomyces aromas are possible.
Barrel-aged versions may show typical aromas accordingly.
Note: In order to enable the tasters to assess the typicity of the grape variety(ies) used, as well as the underlying beer character, appropriate information should be provided by the sender in this regard.
Original gravity | 9,0 - 16,0 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 1,0 - 3,5 °Plato |
Alcohol | 2,8 - 6,7 % by weight |
4,0 - 8,0 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 5 - 20 IBU |
Original gravity | 9,0 - 14,0 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 1,5 - 3,5 °Plato |
Alcohol | 3,0- 4,2 % by weight |
3,5 - 5,2 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 6 - 20 IBU |
The brewery should give the following, additional details of the beer during registration to facilitate the sensory evaluation:
Original gravity | 7,5 - 15,5 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 1,0 - 2,5 °Plato |
Alcohol | 2,0 - 5,1 % by weight |
2,5 - 6,5 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 30 - 55 IBU |
Original gravity | 6,0 - 11,5 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 1,5 - 3,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | 2,0 - 3,5 % by weight |
2,0 - 4,5 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 10 - 40 IBU |
Note: "German-Style Leichtbier", "South German-Style Leichtes Weizen", "Grodziskie", "Session India Pale Ale" and "Bohemian-Style Session Lager" must be entered in their respective categories.
In order to facilitate sensory evaluation, it is necessary for the brewery to provide additional information about the beer upon entry:
Original gravity | 7,7 - 8,5 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 2,5 - 3,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | 2,0 - 2,6 % by weight |
2,5 - 3,3 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 20 - 30 IBU |
Original gravity | 9,5 - 12,4 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 2,0 - 4,3 °Plato |
Alcohol | 3,0 - 4,0 % by weight |
3,7 -5,1 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 20 - 50 IBU |
Original gravity | 11,0 - 14,0 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 2,0 - 4,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | 3,5 - 4,7 % by weight |
4,5 - 6,5 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 20 - 40 IBU |
Original gravity | 11,0 - 14,0 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 2,0 - 4,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | 3,5 - 4,7 % by weight |
4,5 - 6,5 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 25 - 45 IBU |
Original gravity | 12,5 - 17,0 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 3,0 - 4,5 °Plato |
Alcohol | 4,2 - 6,0 % by weight |
5,2 - 7,5 % by volume | |
Bitterness | > 35 IBU |
Original gravity | 12,5 - 17,0 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 3,0 - 4,5 °Plato |
Alcohol | 4.2 - 6.0 % by weight |
5,2 - 7,5 % by volume | |
Bitterness | > 50 IBU |
Original gravity | 13,5 - 17,5 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 2,5 - 5,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | 4,6 - 6,5 % by weight |
5,8 - 8,0 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 10 - 65 IBU |
Original gravity | > 17,0 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 4,0 - 5,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | > 5,5 % by weight |
> 7,0 % by volume | |
Bitterness | > 50 IBU |
Original gravity | 8,5 - 14,9 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 1,5 - 4,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | 2,4 - 4,6 % by weight |
3,5 -6,5 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 20 - 45 IBU |
Original gravity | 8,0 - 12,5 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 1,5 - 3,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | 2,2 - 4,4 % by weight |
2,8 -5,5 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 10 - 30 IBU |
Original gravity | 10,0 - 15,0 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 1,5 - 4,6 °Plato |
Alcohol | 3,3 - 5,2 % by weight |
4,5 - 6,5 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 15 - 40 IBU |
Original gravity | 14,5 - 21,9 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 3,6 - 7,6 °Plato |
Alcohol | 5,0 - 7,2 % by weight |
6,3 - 9,1 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 30 - 65 IBU |
In order to facilitate sensory evaluation, it is necessary
for the brewery to provide additional information about the beer during
registration:
Original gravity | 10,0 - 15,0 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 1,5 - 4,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | 3,5 - 5,2 % by weight |
4,5 - 6,5 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 20 - 40 IBU |
In order to facilitate sensory evaluation, it is necessary
for the brewery to provide additional information about the beer during
registration:
Original gravity | ≥ 15,0 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 3,0 - 7,5 °Plato |
Alcohol | 5,2 - 9,5 % by weight |
6,5 - 12,0 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 20 - 40 IBU |
In order to facilitate sensory evaluation, it is necessary for the brewery to provide additional information about the beer during registration:
Original gravity | 9,5 - 16,0 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 2,0 - 4,5 °Plato |
Alcohol | 3,2 - 5,2 % by weight |
4,0 - 7,0 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 25 - 60 IBU |
In order to facilitate sensory evaluation, it is necessary for the brewery to provide additional information about the beer during registration:
Original gravity | 12,0 - 25,0 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 3,0 - 7,5 °Plato |
Alcohol | 4,0 - 9,5 % by weight |
5,0 - 12,0 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 10 - 40 IBU |
In order to facilitate sensory evaluation, it is necessary for the brewery to provide additional information about the beer during registration:
Original gravity | 16,0 - 25,0 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 4,0 - 7,5 °Plato |
Alcohol | 5,5 - 9,5 % by weight |
7,0 - 12,0 % by volume | |
Bitterness | > 40 IBU |
Original gravity | 11,0 - 12,5 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 2,0 - 3,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | 3,8 - 4,2 % by weight |
4,8 - 5,2 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 20 - 45 IBU |
Original gravity | 6,0 - 9,8 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 1,0 - 2,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | 2,0 - 3,0 % by weight |
2,5 - 3,5 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 6 - 16 IBU |
Original gravity | 11,0 - 14,0 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 2,0 - 4,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | 3,7 - 4,7 % by weight |
4,6 - 5,9 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 10 - 20 IBU |
Farbe | < 18 EBC |
Original gravity | 11,0 - 14,0 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 2,0 - 4,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | 3,7 - 4,7 % by weight |
4,6 - 5,9 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 10 - 20 IBU |
Farbe | 18 - 29 EBC |
Original gravity | 11,0 - 14,0 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 2,0 - 4,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | 3,7 - 4,7 % by weight |
4,6 - 5,9 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 10 - 20 IBU |
Farbe | ≥ 30 EBC |
Original gravity | 11,0 - 14,0 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 2,0 - 4,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | 3,7 - 4,7 % by weight |
4,6 - 5,9 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 10 - 20 IBU |
Original gravity | 16,0 - 22,0 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 4,0 - 7,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | 5,5 - 7,5 % by weight |
6,0 - 9,5 % by volume | |
Farbe | < 30 EBC |
Original gravity | 16,0 - 22,0 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 4,0 - 7,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | 5,5 - 7,5 % by weight |
6,0 - 9,5 % by volume | |
Farbe | ≥ 30 EBC |
Original gravity | 11,0 - 22,0 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 2,0 - 7,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | 3,7 - 7,5 % by weight |
4,6 - 9,5 % by volume |
In order to facilitate sensory evaluation, it is necessary for the brewery to provide additional information about the beer when submitting the entry:
Original gravity | 11,0 - 15,9 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 2,5 - 4,5 °Plato |
Alcohol | 3,6 - 5,4 % by weight |
4,6 - 6,5 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 20 - 35 IBU |
Note: Smoke beers that correspond to the Franconian-Style Smoke Beer must be entered in the category provided for this purpose, "Franconian-Style Smoke Beer".
In order to facilitate sensory evaluation, it is necessary for the brewery to provide additional information about the beer when submitting the entry:
Original gravity | 11,0 - 13,9 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 2,0 - 4,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | 3,7 - 5,0 % by weight |
4,6 - 6,5 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 15 - 35 IBU |
Original gravity | ≥ 16,0 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 3,5 - 6,5 °Plato |
Alcohol | > 5,4 % by weight |
> 6,5 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 20 - 45 IBU |
Please note the compliance with the specified alcohol content when registering!
In order to facilitate the sensory evaluation, it is necessary that the brewery provides additional information on the beer during registration:
Original gravity | 7,5 - 27,5 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 1,5 - 7,5 °Plato |
Alcohol | 2,0 - 9,5 % by weight |
2,5 - 12,0 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 5 - 70 IBU |
In order to facilitate the sensory evaluation, it is necessary
that the brewery provides additional information on the beer during
registration:
Original gravity | 7,5 - 27,5 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 1,5 - 7,5 °Plato |
Alcohol | 2,0 - 9,5 % by weight |
2,5 - 12,0 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 5 - 70 IBU |
In order to facilitate the sensory evaluation, it is necessary
that the brewery provides additional information on the beer during
registration:
Original gravity | 11,0 - 13,9 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 1,5 - 3,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | 3,8 - 4,4 % by weight |
4,5 - 6,2 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 18 - 25 IBU |
Farbe | < 30 EBC |
Original gravity | 11,0 - 13,9 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 1,5 - 3,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | 3,8 - 4,4 % by weight |
4,5 - 6,2 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 18 - 25 IBU |
Farbe | ≥ 40 EBC |
Original gravity | 11,0 - 13,9 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 1,5 - 3,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | 3,8 - 4,4 % by weight |
4,5 - 6,2 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 25 - 50 IBU |
Original gravity | 11,0 - 14,0 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 2,0 - 4,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | 3,9 - 4,9 % by weight |
4,9 - 6,2 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 10 - 25 IBU |
In order to facilitate sensory evaluation, it is necessary for the brewery to provide additional information about the beer during registration:
Original gravity | 11,0 - 13,0 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 2,0 - 3,5 °Plato |
Alcohol | 4,0 - 4,3 % by weight |
4,8 - 5,6 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 15 - 25 IBU |
Original gravity | > 16,0 °Plato |
Apparent extract | > 4,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | > 5,2 % by weight |
> 6,5 % by volume | |
Bitterness | < 20 IBU |
Wood and Barrel Aged Strong Beers which are characterized by an acidic taste caused during barrel ageing have to be registered in category 26 Wood and Barrel Aged Sour Beer.
In order to facilitate sensory evaluation, it is necessary for the brewery to provide additional information about the beer when registering:
Original gravity | > 22,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | > 7,9 % by weight |
> 9,0 % by volume |
The following beer styles are not allowed in this category (out of style):
These beers must be entered in the corresponding categories.
To facilitate sensory evaluation, it is necessary for the brewery to provide additional information about the beer when registering:
Original gravity | 5,0 - 13,5 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 0,5 - 7,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | < 0,4 % by weight |
> 0,5 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 5 - 50 IBU |
Original gravity | 5,0 - 13,5 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 0,5 - 7,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | < 0,4 % by weight |
< 0,5 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 10 - 50 IBU |
In order to facilitate sensory evaluation, it is necessary for the brewery to provide additional information about the beer during registration:
Original gravity | 5,0 - 13,5 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 0,5 - 7,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | < 0,4 % by weight |
< 0,5 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 10 - 50 IBU |
In order to facilitate sensory evaluation, it is necessary for the brewery to provide additional information about the beer during registration:
Original gravity | 5,0 - 13,5 °Plato |
Apparent extract | 0,5 - 7,0 °Plato |
Alcohol | < 0,4 % by weight |
< 0,5 % by volume | |
Bitterness | 5 - 20 IBU |
The brewing industry is subject to constant change, unique beer interpretations with heart and soul shape the spirit of the times.
Logically, the European Beer Star is evolving in the same way.
This year, there are 73+1 categories in the European Beer Star.
73+1?
Normally, this is how you count your birthdays after a certain age.
We say: a creative scene is reflected in a creative competition. In the new special Free-Style Beer category, exceptional creations are honored that cannot be squeezed into a predefined grid. Therefore, there are also no analytical restrictions on registration.
The participants have the possibility to convince the jury that theirs is a unique beer.
In particular, the history of the beer, but also a challenging production practice, innovations and
unique selling points are to be emphasized. "What makes your beer
special?" Of course, it's not enough just to "be different". Quality is the deciding factor. It must show itself in the evaluation criteria aroma, taste, harmony and mouthfeel. A holistic
approach - in keeping with the zeitgeist.
To get an idea of what the winning story must entail, you can check out the story of the past winners of the Free-Style Beer category, El Duderino by Kehrwieder Kreativbrauerei and Bul Tea Na by SokchoBeer.
In the following text you will find all the necessary information to register in the Free-Style Beer category.
Important notice: As in the other categories of the European Beer Star, no mixed beer drinks are allowed in this category!
The creativity of brewers worldwide is the driving force behind innovative new beer ideas.
Despite the many different categories of the European Beer Star, some beers cannot be classified in the previous categories. In order to give such beers the opportunity to compete at the EBS, the open special category Free-Style Beers is available.
The decisive factor for the participation and acceptance of a beer in this category is the fact that the beer does not fit into one of the existing category descriptions. If the beer still clearly fits into one of the existing categories, that beer will be judged Out-of-Style.
Due to the lack of any predetermined style characteristics, the judging criteria for this open category are also different than the regular categories:
Note: in order to give the judges the chance to assess the creativity of the brewer, the participant shall upload a file with the history of the submitted beer. For the file upload, the following criteria apply: