Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

The New Standard

Specialty Beer Evolution and Revolution

Specialty Single Hop Ale

Specialty Beer is, practically speaking, a catchall tasting for beers that don’t fit neatly in an existing category. However, if enthusiasm for a particular innovation grows, an emerging style may come to warrant its own, new category, as was the case for the Imperial IPA or Barrel-Aged categories. Simply put, Specialty Beers may be flavored with or affected by unusual ingredients (ginger, chipotle peppers) or fermentation agents (Brettanomyces, Lactobacillus), or brewed with unusual fermentables (buckwheat, sweet potatoes, maple syrup). In addition, the base beer may be related to almost any classic beer style. Given the variation possible in this category, there are no established standards for appearance, aroma or flavor. Instead, judges look for a pleasing combination of the beer’s elements, and overall drinkability.

Interpreting the 100-point Scale

Consumers can translate the point score to the following quality bands:

Point Range Quality Band
96-100 points Platinum
90-95 points Gold
85-90 points Silver
80-84 points Bronze
Less than 80 Not Recommended
Legend
  • = Brewpub
  • ABV = Alcohol by volume
  • Date denotes the date on which the beer was tasted

91 Samuel Adams Latitude 48 Deconstructed IPA – Zeus, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 6% ABV (9/11)
Deep amber color. Bold grapefruit and grilled turnip and romaine and chive aromas with a crisp, round, dryish medium-to-full body and an astringent char-grilled citrus, cocoa powder and broccoli rabe driven finish. A vibrant, penetrating food beer.

91 Samuel Adams Latitude 48 Deconstructed IPA – Hallertau Mittelfrueh , The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 6% ABV (9/11)
Brilliant amber color. Wonderfully meshed aromas of savory citrus, nuts, golden beets and delicate mint-spice jelly with a supple, dryish medium-full body and a long, roasted peach and grilled radicchio, fennel and radish -accented finish. A delicious, robust beer that will shine on its own or with food.

89 Samuel Adams Latitude 48 Deconstructed IPA – Simcoe, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 6% ABV (9/11)
Aromas of tangerine marmalade, succotash, spiced cocoa with a crisp, round, dryish medium-to-full body and a tart, astringent grilled–citrus and turnip and grass and watercress like hop finish. A very nice table companion.

88 Samuel Adams Latitude 48 Deconstructed IPA – Ahtanum, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 6% ABV (9/11)
Deep amber color with a taupe head. Interesting aromas of lemon zest, zucchini bread, menthol-wintergreen, and roasted grain with a chewy, dryish medium-to-full body and an astringent grilled grapefruit, straw and honeyed nut -accented finish.

87 Samuel Adams Latitude 48 Deconstructed IPA – East Kent Goldings, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 6% ABV (9/11)
Brilliant amber color. Bold roasted nut and earthy, sautéed peppered kalelike hops with a crisp, dryish medium-to-full body and a taut, grassy, peppery, cocoa-dusted orange rindlike hop finish. Very refreshing and different.

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