28A
Brett Beer
American Wild AleColour varies by recipe
ABVVaries with the base style
IBUVaries with the base style
SRMVaries with the base style
28C
Wild Specialty Beer
An American Wild Ale with fruit, herbs, spices, or other Specialty-Type Ingredients.
Colour varies by recipeParameter ranges
Alcohol · ABV
Varies with the base styleBitterness · IBU
Varies with the base styleColor · SRM
Varies with the base styleOriginal gravity · OG
Varies with the base styleFinal gravity · FG
Varies with the base styleRanges describe a style, not an individual beer. Colour depends on the base beer and ingredients. The transparent glass outline does not depict a fixed beer colour.
About this entry
Intended for variations of a Base Style beer from style 28A, 28B, or 28D. These variations may include the addition of one or more Specialty-Type Ingredients; aging in non-traditional wood varieties that impart a significant and identifiable wood character (e.g., Spanish Cedar, Amburana); or aging in barrels previously containing another alcohol (e.g., spirits, wine, cider).
Appearance
Variable by base style, generally showing a color, tint, or hue from any Specialty-Type Ingredient (especially if fruit is used) in both the beer and the head. Clarity can be variable; some haze is not a fault. Head retention is often poor.
Aroma
Variable by base style. The Specialty-Type Ingredients should be evident, as well as the defining characteristics of a wild fermentation per the base style. The best examples will blend the aromatics from the fermentation with the special ingredients, creating an aroma that may be difficult to attribute precisely.
Flavor
Variable by base style. The Specialty-Type Ingredients should be evident, as well as the defining characteristics of a wild fermentation per the base style. If fruit was fermented, the sweetness is generally gone so that only the fruit esters typically remain. Fruit and other Specialty-Type Ingredients can add sourness of their own; if so, the sourness could be prominent, but should not be overwhelming. The acidity and tannin from any fruit or other Specialty-Type Ingredients can both enhance the dryness of the beer, so care must be taken with the balance. The acidity should enhance the perception of any fruit flavor, not detract from it. Wood notes, if present, add flavor but should be balanced.
Mouthfeel
Variable by base style. Generally has a light body, lighter than what might be expected from the base style. Generally moderate to high carbonation; carbonation should remain in balance with the base beer. The presence of tannin from some Specialty-Type ingredients (often fruit or wood) can provide a slight astringency, enhance the body, or make the beer seem drier than it is.
History
Modern American craft beer interpretations of Belgian wild ales, or experimentations inspired by Belgian wild ales.
Characteristic ingredients
Virtually any style of beer. Any combination of Sacch, Brett, Lacto, Pedio, or other similar fermenters. Can also be a blend of styles. While cherries, raspberries, and peaches are most common, other fruits can be used as well. Vegetables with fruit-like characteristics (e.g., chile, rhubarb, pumpkin) may also be used. Wood or barrel aging is very common, but not required. Wood with unusual or unique flavor characteristics, or wood previously in contact with other types of alcohol is allowable.
Style comparison
Like a fruit, herb, spice, or wood beer, but sour or funky.
In the same category
28B
Mixed-Fermentation Sour Beer
American Wild AleColour varies by recipe
ABVVaries with the base style
IBUVaries with the base style
SRMVaries with the base style
28D
Straight Sour Beer
American Wild AleABV4.5–7%
IBU3–8
SRM2–3
Notes
This style is intended for fruited (and other added Specialty-Type Ingredient) versions of other American Wild Ale styles, not variations of European wild or sour Classic Styles. Fruited versions of Lambic are covered under Fruit Lambic. Fruited versions of other sour Classic Styles (e.g., Flanders Red, Oud Bruin, Gose, Berliner Weisse) are covered under Fruit Beer. Beers with sugars and unfermented fruit added post-fermentation are covered under Specialty Fruit Beer.