Beer Forum

I would like to enter an Australian style ale in a competition. Any clarification on the style guideline for this? 23A Specialty is the catch all but I wonder if there is one more correct?

Somewhere in Group 6 (Light Hybrids), depending on your recipe, the OG and IBU's

23 references Aussie Sparkling ale see also http://www.aabc.org.au/ for the Oz variations on the BJCP guidelines Peter

Thanks guys for the info. It seems to me that here is another example of a short coming of the BJCP Guidelines to date. In my mind if you make a really good Australian ale, and it gets judged against all the other 23 class entries, how can you best that class? You will be going up against all the big and radical brews like AB which really get the attention of the judges. Some how this category needs refinement- huge brews in the 10-14% range should be a sub set IMHO.

Yeah, that is why Cat 23 is used as the "incubator" category... if enough entries are made of a particular type, then they consider adding that as a full style once they decide on the guidelines, commercial examples, etc. As far as I know, Cooper's is the last Sparkling Ale, right?

ggltd wrote:Thanks guys for the info. It seems to me that here is another example of a short coming of the BJCP Guidelines to date. In my mind if you make a really good Australian ale, and it gets judged against all the other 23 class entries, how can you best that class? You will be going up against all the big and radical brews like AB which really get the attention of the judges. Some how this category needs refinement- huge brews in the 10-14% range should be a sub set IMHO.

Actually there are a lot of Aussie ales, some blonde, amber and sparkling. Coopers is probably the most famous, but Victoria and Tooheys are also good. I plan to enter my version of sparkling ale in Nationals and hope for the best. I cultured some yeast from 3 Coopers bottles and I think it really makes the difference in unique taste.

Yeah, I've had a few of those at Outback... but isn't Coopers the last remaining true Sparkling Ale? The rest are lagers, "draught", etc.

Actually I believe you are correct- Coopers is the last. Been around since 1862.