Beer Flavor Terminology

Abstract

Joint Working Groups of the American Society of Brewing Chemists, the European Brewery Convention, and the Master Brewers Association of the Americas have developed a system of flavor terminology to meet the dual needs of i) enabling brewers to communicate effectively about flavor and ii) naming and defining each separately identifiable flavor note in beer. The system comprises 44 terms to meet the first objective, and 78 additional terms are suggested for the second. The industry is urged to use this terminology and to comment on it.