• 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines

    The 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines are now released and are fully in use for all BJCP exams, competitions, trainings, and other uses. Refer to the Style Center for the latest updates.


  • 2008 BJCP Style Guidelines (Deprecated)

    Style Guidelines by Category

    Ingredient Reference – Specialty ingredient reference for honey, fruit, spices, and grapes

    Frequently Asked Questions about the BJCP Style Guidelines

    How to report errors or make suggestions about the Style Guidelines

    Want to add a new style? Write it up using this template and send it to us.

  • Downloadable Files

  • Full Guidelines   (PDF) (about 1.4MB)
    The full set of style guidelines, optimized for printing. This version uses a "quick & dirty" formatting so it's only 51 pages when printed. (If necessary, download the free Adobe Reader.)

    Full Guidelines   (PDF) (about 1 MB)
    The same full set of style guidelines, but this version produces a better looking, more readable document and is 73 pages when printed.

  • Other Formats

    • MS Word version (.DOC format, about 800K)
      The complete BJCP Style Guidelines for 2008.

    • MS Word version with Track Changes (about 900K)
      For anyone who really wants to see the fine details of the changes, view this in Word and use the Track Changes function.

    • Compact PDF booklet (PDF, about 700K)
      A reduced-size version of the complete Guide using only 13 sheets of paper. If you have a duplex printer, you're set to go with this. Otherwise, just print it out and run it through a photocopy machine set to convert single-sided pages to double-sided. Staple it in the middle, fold in half, and put it in your pocket.

    • Summary of changes (PDF)
      One page showing the basics of the 2008 changes.

    • Style Numbers (.XLS format)
      An Excel spreadsheet with just the vital statistics for each style.

    • XML version (.zip archive)
      An XML version of the 2008 style guidelines, thanks to Greg LaPolla.

    • Classic Styles (.XLS format) An Excel spreadsheet created by Al Boyce, listing all the classic beers mentioned in the Style Guide. The numbering system is simply the order in which they are mentioned in the style guide, which can be useful when preparing to judge. Within each category, an effort was made to put the best examples first, so a lower number within a category may mean a slightly better example.

      This version also shows the changes from the commercial examples listed in the 2004 edition of the guidelines.

    • Various non-English translations are posted on our International Resources page.

  • Mobile Versions

    • iPhone version (external link)
      A free iPhone application containing the full 2008 BJCP Style Guidelines. Download it free from the Apple App Store (search for "BJCP"). You must have an iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad to use this application. Thanks to Joshua Baran for this application.

    • Android version (external link)
      A free Android application containing the full 2008 BJCP Style Guidelines. Search for "BJCP" in the Android Market and download the "BJCPdroid" app. Thanks to Jason Donmoyer.

    • Blackberry version (external link)
      A free Blackberry application containing the full 2008 BJCP Style Guidelines. Requires a phone running v5.0 or higher. Thanks to Travis Smith.

    • Blackberry Playbook version (external link)
      A free Blackberry Playbook application containing the full 2008 BJCP Style Guidelines. Thanks to Darren Sipika.

    • ePub (Nook, iPad) version
      A free eBook version for the Amazon Nook, Apple iPad, and other eBook readers. Thanks to John Reed.

    • Kindle version
      A free version for the Amazon Kindle. Download the guidelines, do a USB transfer to the Kindle, and put in the documents directory. It uses the free MobiPocket reader e-book format. Thanks to John Alexander.

  • Please note that these materials remain under the copyright of the BJCP. Just because they are no longer current does not mean they are in the public domain, or are usable for any purpose other than historical reference.