Beer Styles  »  Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Beer

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ABV: varies    IBUs: varies    SRM: varies    OG: varies    FG: varies

A harmonious marriage of spices, herbs and/or vegetables and beer. The key attributes of the underlying style will be different with the addition of spices, herbs and/or vegetables; do not expect the base beer to taste the same as the unadulterated version. Judge the beer based on the pleasantness and balance of the resulting combination.

The character of the particular spices, herbs and/or vegetables (SHV) should be noticeable in the aroma; however, note that some SHV (e.g., ginger, cinnamon) have stronger aromas and are more distinctive than others (e.g., some vegetables)— allow for a range of SHV character and intensity from subtle to aggressive. The individual character of the SHV(s) may not always be identifiable when used in combination. The SHV character should be pleasant and supportive, not artificial and overpowering. As with all specialty beers, a proper SHV beer should be a harmonious balance of the featured SHV(s) with the underlying beer style. Aroma hops, yeast byproducts and malt components of the underlying beer may not be as noticeable when SHV are present. These components (especially hops) may also be intentionally subdued to allow the SHV character to come through in the final presentation. If the base beer is an ale then a non-specific fruitiness and/or other fermentation by-products such as diacetyl may be present as appropriate for warmer fermentations. If the base beer is a lager, then overall less fermentation byproducts would be appropriate. Some malt aroma is preferable, especially in dark styles. Hop aroma may be absent or balanced with SHV, depending on the style. The SHV(s) should add an extra complexity to the beer, but not be so prominent as to unbalance the resulting presentation.
Appearance should be appropriate to the base beer being presented and will vary depending on the base beer. For lighter-colored beers with spices, herbs or vegetables that exhibit distinctive colors, the colors may be noticeable in the beer and possibly the head. May have some haze or be clear. Head formation may be adversely affected by some ingredients, such as chocolate.
As with aroma, the distinctive flavor character associated with the particular SHV(s) should be noticeable, and may range in intensity from subtle to aggressive. The individual character of the SHV(s) may not always be identifiable when used in combination. The balance of SHV with the underlying beer is vital, and the SHV character should not be so artificial and/or overpowering as to overwhelm the beer. Hop bitterness, flavor, malt flavors, alcohol content, and fermentation by-products, such as esters or diacetyl, should be appropriate to the base beer and be harmonious and balanced with the distinctive SHV flavors present. Note that these components (especially hops) may be intentionally subdued to allow the SHV character to come through in the final presentation. Some SHV(s) are inherently bitter and may result in a beer more bitter than the declared base style.
Mouthfeel may vary depending on the base beer selected and as appropriate to that base beer. Body and carbonation levels should be appropriate to the base beer style being presented. Some SHV(s) may add additional body and/ or slickness, although fermentable additions may thin out the beer. Some SHV(s) may add a bit of astringency, although a "raw" spice character is undesirable.
Overall balance is the key to presenting a wellmade spice, herb or vegetable (SHV) beer. The SHV(s) should complement the original style and not overwhelm it. The brewer should recognize that some combinations of base beer styles and SHV(s) work well together while others do not make for harmonious combinations.

		Beer Name	Brewery	ABV	IBUs
	(1)	The Fear Imperial Pumpkin Ale	Flying Dog Brewing Co.	9%	45
	(0)	Pumpkinhead Ale	Beer Works	---	---
	(0)	King Don's Pumpkin Ale	Catawba Valley Brewing Co.	5%	---
	(0)	The Concoction	Brooklyn Brewery	7.6%	---
	(2)	Habanero Pale Ale	Triangle Brewing Co.	---	---
	(0)	Witch Hunt	BridgePort Brewing Co.	5.8%	40
	(0)	Spiced Rum Finish	Innis & Gunn	6.9%	---
	(0)	Rosemary IPA	Moon River Brewing Co.	5.8%	---
	(0)	Série Signature Festbier	Les Trois Mousquetaires	6%	---
	(1)	Wassail	Full Sail Brewing Co.	7%	56
	(1)	Pumking	Southern Tier Brewing Co.	8.6%	---
	(0)	Hansa Vandaag	Õlleklubi Brewery	4.5%	---
	(0)	Thirsty Dog Pumpkin Ale	Thirsty Dog Brewing Co.	5%	13.5
	(1)	UFO Pumpkin	Harpoon Brewery	5.9%	---
	(2)	Pumpkinfest	Terrapin Beer	6.1%	---
	(0)	Theobroma	Dogfish Head Craft Brewery	9%	8
	(1)	International Arms Race	Flying Dog Brewing Co.	7.5%	---
	(0)	Chipotle Ale	Rogue Ales / Oregon Brewing Co.	5.5%	35
	(0)	Texas Ranger	Mikkeller	6.6%	---
	(2)	Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale	Smuttynose Brewing Co.	5.84%	35