Specials: Herb and Spice Beer

Notes: Herb and Spice beers are any beers using herbs or spices derived from leaves, roots, seeds, fruits, vegetables, flowers, etc. Herb and/or spice character can range from subtle to intense. Classifying these beers can be complex. Beers which exhibit herbal and/or spicy character are considered Herb and Spice Beers. Beers brewed with chili peppers are categorized as Chili Pepper Beers. Beers brewed with pumpkin in which herb and spice character dominates should be categorized as Pumpkin Spice Beers. When using these guidelines as the basis for evaluating entries at competitions, brewers may be asked to provide supplemental information about entries in this category to allow for accurate evaluation of diverse entries. Such information might include the underlying beer style upon which the entry is based, or other information unique to the entry such as type or form of herb(s) or spice(s) used or other factors which influence perceived sensory outcomes.

  • ABV: 2.5%-12.0%
  • ABW: 2.0%-9.5%
  • IBU: 5-40
  • Color (SRM): 5-50
  • Color (EBC): 10-100
  • Original Gravity: 1.030-1.110
  • Original Gravity °P: 7.6-25.9
  • Final Gravity: 1.006-1.030
  • Final Gravity °P: 1.5-7.6

Style info provided entirely or in part by the Brewers Association 2021 beer style guidelines.

45 Herb and Spice Beer Reviewed

Beer Brewery Rate Avg.
4 Elf Dark Horse Brewing Co. 8.76
Agave Wheat Breckenridge Brewery 7.52
Benji's Smoked Chipolte Imperial Porter Tyranena Brewing Company 9.30
Bifröst Elysian Brewing Company 8.27
Christmas Ale Anchor Brewing 8.00
Christmas Ale Great Lakes Brewing Company 7.50
Cold Mountain Winter Ale Highland Brewing Company 7.36
Dark O' The Moon Elysian Brewing Company 7.14
Frog’s Hollow Double Pumpkin Ale Hoppin' Frog Brewery 8.00
Frosted Frog Christmas Ale Hoppin' Frog Brewery 7.00
Harvest Moon Pumpkin Ale Coors Brewing Company 5.00
Hoptober New Belgium Brewing Company 8.00