CAMRA is only too aware beer styles in the UK aren’t static. You only have to look at the growth of American pale and golden ales, aged and foreign beer styles to be aware of what a great time it is to be a beer drinker. The defining of beer styles is useful but why? A style enables a beer to be explained to the public. People tend to understand what a bitter or a golden ale is so it makes it easier to choose a beer they might like. Equally valuable, is classifying beers by style enables them to be grouped together to make judging easier.

In 2019, the National Executive set up a Beer Styles Review Group to look at the current Champion Beer of Britain beer (CBOB) categories to see if they were fit for purpose. The review started with a survey of (but not exclusively) brewery liaison officers (BLOs), tasting panel members, CBOB coordinators, beer writers and brewers and there was an assessment of the beers listed on CAMRA’s brewery information system (BIS). In addition, issues raised by tasting panel chairs, and a review on how the beer market is changing were taken into account. The overall conclusion was the market has moved on substantially since the last beer style review, which was in 2008, and the current list is not totally suitable. The review group took time to look at the current list and to decide which styles warranted more attention and which were growing in number. Although it would be easy to simply expand the list of styles and judging categories, the group was aware of the practicalities of how the CBOB competition is run. This means ensuring there are sufficient beers in any category to give a sensible number at a regional level but, also, has to take account of the beer festivals available to host a judging. Talking to CBOB coordinators, they believed they can handle another two categories and the new CBOB judging groups will be increased from 10 to 12. So what are the changes?

The group was aware that, although in some categories there were not huge numbers of beers, there were good campaigning reasons to keep a particular style and protect it, eg milds. There was also a strong feeling CAMRA needs to protect its traditional bitters and concern was raised about the way the India pale ale (IPA) market has been developing, with some beers, called IPA not displaying the characteristics expected. This has resulted in three categories: session bitters (4.3 per cent ABV and below), premium bitters (above 4.3 per cent ABV) and IPAs, with the latter encompassing both British and New World styles. As part of the review, it was noted porters and stouts were causing bewilderment with members and brewers being confused about the difference. The intention is to combine the two and divide them by strength, the stronger category (above 4.9 per cent ABV) including Imperial Russian stouts and Baltic porters.

The group also looked forward and noted there are a number of styles that have been showing growth. One is pale ale, a style that doesn’t currently fit into either the golden ales (too malty) or bitters (too fruity). In future, these will be judged with blonds and golden ales in two categories – session and premium. Another area of growth has been speciality beers. In future, there will be two speciality categories: one for beers made with non-conventional ingredients or techniques and the other for beers that are flavoured. They will be assessed as part of the winter judging rather than the summer as currently. With the plethora of beer styles, the group is aware there still will be some styles that do not fit into the new categories but believes these changes will be a move forward.

Sessions are being planned for people to taste the changes, so they are ready for the members’ CBOB voting in autumn 2020. The changes can be found under beer styles at camra.org.uk/volunteers-area/our-awards/ tasting-panels/ Sessions are being run around the country including the Members’ Weekend, AGM & Conference and GBBF Winter among others. Visit the websites or the tutored tastings & training page on the volunteers’ part of the website for details. l Christine Cryne is a former member of CAMRA’s National Executive and led the review of beer styles

Chris Sandison

Chair Merseyside & Lancashire Tasting Panel