BJCP Style Guide

Browse the BJCP beer, mead and cider styles, search by name, number or tag, and find the styles that fit your beer's gravity, bitterness, color and alcohol.

The BJCP style guidelines describe each beer, mead and cider style and give typical ranges for gravity, bitterness, color and alcohol. American IPA (21A), for example, runs 1.056–1.070 OG, 1.008–1.014 FG, 40–70 IBU, 6–14 SRM and 5.5–7.5% ABV. Search a style or enter your beer's numbers to find matches.

Reviewed by Diego Santiago, Professional Brewer

Search styles

Match your beer (optional)

Original gravity (SG)

Final gravity (SG)

Bitterness (IBU)

Color (SRM)

Alcohol (% ABV)

150 styles

1A. American Light Lager
Standard American Beer
OG 1.028–1.040 · FG 0.998–1.008 · IBU 8–12 · SRM 2–3 · ABV 2.8–4.2%
1B. American Lager
Standard American Beer
OG 1.040–1.050 · FG 1.004–1.010 · IBU 8–18 · SRM 2–4 · ABV 4.2–5.3%
1C. Cream Ale
Standard American Beer
OG 1.042–1.055 · FG 1.006–1.012 · IBU 8–20 · SRM 2–5 · ABV 4.2–5.6%
1D. American Wheat Beer
Standard American Beer
OG 1.040–1.055 · FG 1.008–1.013 · IBU 15–30 · SRM 3–6 · ABV 4.0–5.5%
2A. International Pale Lager
International Lager
OG 1.042–1.050 · FG 1.008–1.012 · IBU 18–25 · SRM 2–6 · ABV 4.5–6.0%
2B. International Amber Lager
International Lager
OG 1.042–1.055 · FG 1.008–1.014 · IBU 8–25 · SRM 6–14 · ABV 4.5–6.0%
2C. International Dark Lager
International Lager
OG 1.044–1.056 · FG 1.008–1.012 · IBU 8–20 · SRM 14–30 · ABV 4.2–6.0%
3A. Czech Pale Lager
Czech Lager
OG 1.028–1.044 · FG 1.008–1.014 · IBU 20–35 · SRM 3–6 · ABV 3.0–4.1%
3B. Czech Premium Pale Lager
Czech Lager
OG 1.044–1.060 · FG 1.013–1.017 · IBU 30–45 · SRM 4–6 · ABV 4.2–5.8%
3C. Czech Amber Lager
Czech Lager
OG 1.044–1.060 · FG 1.013–1.017 · IBU 20–35 · SRM 10–16 · ABV 4.4–5.8%
3D. Czech Dark Lager
Czech Lager
OG 1.044–1.060 · FG 1.013–1.017 · IBU 18–34 · SRM 17–35 · ABV 4.4–5.8%
4A. Munich Helles
Pale Malty European Lager
OG 1.044–1.048 · FG 1.006–1.012 · IBU 16–22 · SRM 3–5 · ABV 4.7–5.4%
4B. Festbier
Pale Malty European Lager
OG 1.054–1.057 · FG 1.010–1.012 · IBU 18–25 · SRM 4–6 · ABV 5.8–6.3%
4C. Helles Bock
Pale Malty European Lager
OG 1.064–1.072 · FG 1.011–1.018 · IBU 23–35 · SRM 6–9 · ABV 6.3–7.4%
5A. German Leichtbier
Pale Bitter European Beer
OG 1.026–1.034 · FG 1.006–1.010 · IBU 15–28 · SRM 2–4 · ABV 2.4–3.6%
5B. Kolsch
Pale Bitter European Beer
OG 1.044–1.050 · FG 1.007–1.011 · IBU 18–30 · SRM 4–5 · ABV 4.4–5.2%
5C. German Helles Exportbier
Pale Bitter European Beer
OG 1.050–1.058 · FG 1.008–1.015 · IBU 20–30 · SRM 4–6 · ABV 5.0–6.0%
5D. German Pils
Pale Bitter European Beer
OG 1.044–1.050 · FG 1.008–1.013 · IBU 22–40 · SRM 2–4 · ABV 4.4–5.2%
6A. Marzen
Amber Malty European Lager
OG 1.054–1.060 · FG 1.010–1.014 · IBU 18–24 · SRM 8–17 · ABV 5.6–6.3%
6B. Rauchbier
Amber Malty European Lager
OG 1.050–1.057 · FG 1.012–1.016 · IBU 20–30 · SRM 12–22 · ABV 4.8–6.0%
6C. Dunkles Bock
Amber Malty European Lager
OG 1.064–1.072 · FG 1.013–1.019 · IBU 20–27 · SRM 14–22 · ABV 6.3–7.2%
7A. Vienna Lager
Amber Bitter European Beer
OG 1.048–1.055 · FG 1.010–1.014 · IBU 18–30 · SRM 9–15 · ABV 4.7–5.5%
7B. Altbier
Amber Bitter European Beer
OG 1.044–1.052 · FG 1.008–1.014 · IBU 25–50 · SRM 9–17 · ABV 4.3–5.5%
8A. Munich Dunkel
Dark European Lager
OG 1.048–1.056 · FG 1.010–1.016 · IBU 18–28 · SRM 17–28 · ABV 4.5–5.6%
8B. Schwarzbier
Dark European Lager
OG 1.046–1.052 · FG 1.010–1.016 · IBU 20–35 · SRM 19–30 · ABV 4.4–5.4%
9A. Doppelbock
Strong European Beer
OG 1.072–1.112 · FG 1.016–1.024 · IBU 16–26 · SRM 6–25 · ABV 7.0–10.0%
9B. Eisbock
Strong European Beer
OG 1.078–1.120 · FG 1.020–1.035 · IBU 25–35 · SRM 17–30 · ABV 9.0–14.0%
9C. Baltic Porter
Strong European Beer
OG 1.060–1.090 · FG 1.016–1.024 · IBU 20–40 · SRM 17–30 · ABV 6.5–9.5%
10A. Weissbier
German Wheat Beer
OG 1.044–1.053 · FG 1.008–1.014 · IBU 8–15 · SRM 2–6 · ABV 4.3–5.6%
10B. Dunkles Weissbier
German Wheat Beer
OG 1.044–1.057 · FG 1.008–1.014 · IBU 10–18 · SRM 14–23 · ABV 4.3–5.6%
10C. Weizenbock
German Wheat Beer
OG 1.064–1.090 · FG 1.015–1.022 · IBU 15–30 · SRM 6–25 · ABV 6.5–9.0%
11A. Ordinary Bitter
British Bitter
OG 1.030–1.039 · FG 1.007–1.011 · IBU 25–35 · SRM 8–14 · ABV 3.2–3.8%
11B. Best Bitter
British Bitter
OG 1.040–1.048 · FG 1.008–1.012 · IBU 25–40 · SRM 8–16 · ABV 3.8–4.6%
11C. Strong Bitter
British Bitter
OG 1.048–1.060 · FG 1.010–1.016 · IBU 30–50 · SRM 8–18 · ABV 4.6–6.2%
12A. British Golden Ale
Pale Commonwealth Beer
OG 1.038–1.053 · FG 1.006–1.012 · IBU 20–45 · SRM 2–5 · ABV 3.8–5.0%
12B. Australian Sparkling Ale
Pale Commonwealth Beer
OG 1.038–1.050 · FG 1.004–1.006 · IBU 20–35 · SRM 4–7 · ABV 4.5–6.0%
12C. English IPA
Pale Commonwealth Beer
OG 1.050–1.070 · FG 1.010–1.015 · IBU 40–60 · SRM 6–14 · ABV 5.0–7.5%
13A. Dark Mild
Brown British Beer
OG 1.030–1.038 · FG 1.008–1.013 · IBU 10–25 · SRM 14–25 · ABV 3.0–3.8%
13B. British Brown Ale
Brown British Beer
OG 1.040–1.052 · FG 1.008–1.013 · IBU 20–30 · SRM 12–22 · ABV 4.2–5.9%
13C. English Porter
Brown British Beer
OG 1.040–1.052 · FG 1.008–1.014 · IBU 18–35 · SRM 20–30 · ABV 4.0–5.4%
14A. Scottish Light
Scottish Ale
OG 1.030–1.035 · FG 1.010–1.013 · IBU 10–20 · SRM 17–25 · ABV 2.5–3.3%
14B. Scottish Heavy
Scottish Ale
OG 1.035–1.040 · FG 1.010–1.015 · IBU 10–20 · SRM 12–20 · ABV 3.3–3.9%
14C. Scottish Export
Scottish Ale
OG 1.040–1.060 · FG 1.010–1.016 · IBU 15–30 · SRM 12–20 · ABV 3.9–6.0%
15A. Irish Red Ale
Irish Beer
OG 1.036–1.046 · FG 1.010–1.014 · IBU 18–28 · SRM 9–14 · ABV 3.8–5.0%
15B. Irish Stout
Irish Beer
OG 1.036–1.044 · FG 1.007–1.011 · IBU 25–45 · SRM 25–40 · ABV 3.8–5.0%
15C. Irish Extra Stout
Irish Beer
OG 1.052–1.062 · FG 1.010–1.014 · IBU 35–50 · SRM 30–40 · ABV 5.0–6.5%
16A. Sweet Stout
Dark British Beer
OG 1.044–1.060 · FG 1.012–1.024 · IBU 20–40 · SRM 30–40 · ABV 4.0–6.0%
16B. Oatmeal Stout
Dark British Beer
OG 1.045–1.065 · FG 1.010–1.018 · IBU 25–40 · SRM 22–40 · ABV 4.2–5.9%
16C. Tropical Stout
Dark British Beer
OG 1.056–1.075 · FG 1.010–1.018 · IBU 30–50 · SRM 30–40 · ABV 5.5–8.0%
16D. Foreign Extra Stout
Dark British Beer
OG 1.056–1.075 · FG 1.010–1.018 · IBU 50–70 · SRM 30–40 · ABV 6.3–8.0%
17A. British Strong Ale
Strong British Ale
OG 1.055–1.080 · FG 1.015–1.022 · IBU 30–60 · SRM 8–22 · ABV 5.5–8.0%
17B. Old Ale
Strong British Ale
OG 1.055–1.088 · FG 1.015–1.022 · IBU 30–60 · SRM 10–22 · ABV 5.5–9.0%
17C. Wee Heavy
Strong British Ale
OG 1.070–1.130 · FG 1.018–1.040 · IBU 17–35 · SRM 14–25 · ABV 6.5–10.0%
17D. English Barley Wine
Strong British Ale
OG 1.080–1.120 · FG 1.018–1.030 · IBU 35–70 · SRM 8–22 · ABV 8.0–12.0%
18A. Blonde Ale
Pale American Ale
OG 1.038–1.054 · FG 1.008–1.013 · IBU 15–28 · SRM 3–6 · ABV 3.8–5.5%
18B. American Pale Ale
Pale American Ale
OG 1.045–1.060 · FG 1.010–1.015 · IBU 30–50 · SRM 5–10 · ABV 4.5–6.2%
19A. American Amber Ale
Amber and Brown American Beer
OG 1.045–1.060 · FG 1.010–1.015 · IBU 25–40 · SRM 10–17 · ABV 4.5–6.2%
19B. California Common
Amber and Brown American Beer
OG 1.048–1.054 · FG 1.011–1.014 · IBU 30–45 · SRM 9–14 · ABV 4.5–5.5%
19C. American Brown Ale
Amber and Brown American Beer
OG 1.045–1.060 · FG 1.010–1.016 · IBU 20–30 · SRM 18–35 · ABV 4.3–6.2%
20A. American Porter
American Porter and Stout
OG 1.050–1.070 · FG 1.012–1.018 · IBU 25–50 · SRM 22–40 · ABV 4.8–6.5%
20B. American Stout
American Porter and Stout
OG 1.050–1.075 · FG 1.010–1.022 · IBU 35–75 · SRM 30–40 · ABV 5.0–7.0%
20C. Imperial Stout
American Porter and Stout
OG 1.075–1.115 · FG 1.018–1.030 · IBU 50–90 · SRM 30–40 · ABV 8.0–12.0%
21A. American IPA
IPA
OG 1.056–1.070 · FG 1.008–1.014 · IBU 40–70 · SRM 6–14 · ABV 5.5–7.5%
21B. Specialty IPA
IPA
OG 1.046–1.057 · FG 0.990–1.004 · IBU 20–30 · SRM 2–4 · ABV 6.0–7.5%
21C. Hazy IPA
IPA
OG 1.060–1.085 · FG 1.010–1.015 · IBU 25–60 · SRM 3–7 · ABV 6.0–9.0%
22A. Double IPA
Strong American Ale
OG 1.065–1.085 · FG 1.008–1.018 · IBU 60–100 · SRM 6–14 · ABV 7.5–10.0%
22B. American Strong Ale
Strong American Ale
OG 1.062–1.090 · FG 1.014–1.024 · IBU 50–100 · SRM 7–18 · ABV 6.3–10.0%
22C. American Barleywine
Strong American Ale
OG 1.080–1.120 · FG 1.016–1.030 · IBU 50–100 · SRM 9–18 · ABV 8.0–12.0%
22D. Wheatwine
Strong American Ale
OG 1.080–1.120 · FG 1.016–1.030 · IBU 30–60 · SRM 6–14 · ABV 8.0–12.0%
23A. Berliner Weisse
European Sour Ale
OG 1.028–1.032 · FG 1.003–1.006 · IBU 3–8 · SRM 2–3 · ABV 2.8–3.8%
23B. Flanders Red Ale
European Sour Ale
OG 1.048–1.057 · FG 1.002–1.012 · IBU 10–25 · SRM 10–17 · ABV 4.6–6.5%
23C. Oud Bruin
European Sour Ale
OG 1.040–1.074 · FG 1.008–1.012 · IBU 20–25 · SRM 17–22 · ABV 4.0–8.0%
23D. Lambic
European Sour Ale
OG 1.040–1.054 · FG 1.001–1.010 · IBU 0–10 · SRM 3–6 · ABV 5.0–6.5%
23E. Gueuze
European Sour Ale
OG 1.040–1.054 · FG 1.000–1.006 · IBU 0–10 · SRM 5–6 · ABV 5.0–8.0%
23F. Fruit Lambic
European Sour Ale
OG 1.040–1.060 · FG 1.000–1.010 · IBU 0–10 · SRM 3–7 · ABV 5.0–7.0%
23G. Gose
European Sour Ale
OG 1.036–1.056 · FG 1.006–1.010 · IBU 5–12 · SRM 3–4 · ABV 4.2–4.8%
24A. Witbier
Belgian Ale
OG 1.044–1.052 · FG 1.008–1.012 · IBU 8–20 · SRM 2–4 · ABV 4.5–5.5%
24B. Belgian Pale Ale
Belgian Ale
OG 1.048–1.054 · FG 1.010–1.014 · IBU 20–30 · SRM 8–14 · ABV 4.8–5.5%
24C. Bière de Garde
Belgian Ale
OG 1.060–1.080 · FG 1.008–1.016 · IBU 18–28 · SRM 6–19 · ABV 6.0–8.5%
25A. Belgian Blond Ale
Strong Belgian Ale
OG 1.062–1.075 · FG 1.008–1.018 · IBU 15–30 · SRM 4–6 · ABV 6.0–7.5%
25B. Saison
Strong Belgian Ale
OG 1.048–1.065 · FG 1.002–1.008 · IBU 20–35 · SRM 5–22 · ABV 3.5–9.5%
25C. Belgian Golden Strong Ale
Strong Belgian Ale
OG 1.070–1.095 · FG 1.005–1.016 · IBU 22–35 · SRM 3–6 · ABV 7.5–10.5%
26A. Belgian Single
Monastic Ale
OG 1.044–1.054 · FG 1.004–1.010 · IBU 25–45 · SRM 3–5 · ABV 4.8–6.0%
26B. Belgian Dubbel
Monastic Ale
OG 1.062–1.075 · FG 1.008–1.018 · IBU 15–25 · SRM 10–17 · ABV 6.0–7.6%
26C. Belgian Tripel
Monastic Ale
OG 1.075–1.085 · FG 1.008–1.014 · IBU 20–40 · SRM 5–7 · ABV 7.5–9.5%
26D. Belgian Dark Strong Ale
Monastic Ale
OG 1.075–1.110 · FG 1.010–1.024 · IBU 20–35 · SRM 12–22 · ABV 8.0–12.0%
27A. Historical Beer: Kellerbier
Historical Beer
27B. Historical Beer: Kentucky Common
Historical Beer
OG 1.044–1.055 · FG 1.010–1.018 · IBU 15–30 · SRM 11–20 · ABV 4.0–5.5%
27C. Historical Beer: Lichtenhainer
Historical Beer
OG 1.032–1.040 · FG 1.004–1.008 · IBU 5–12 · SRM 3–6 · ABV 3.5–4.7%
27D. Historical Beer: London Brown Ale
Historical Beer
OG 1.033–1.038 · FG 1.012–1.015 · IBU 15–20 · SRM 22–35 · ABV 2.8–3.6%
27E. Historical Beer: Piwo Grodziskie
Historical Beer
OG 1.028–1.032 · FG 1.006–1.012 · IBU 20–35 · SRM 3–6 · ABV 2.5–3.3%
27F. Historical Beer: Pre-Prohibition Lager
Historical Beer
OG 1.044–1.060 · FG 1.010–1.015 · IBU 25–40 · SRM 3–6 · ABV 4.5–6.0%
27G. Historical Beer: Pre-Prohibition Porter
Historical Beer
OG 1.046–1.060 · FG 1.010–1.016 · IBU 20–30 · SRM 20–30 · ABV 4.5–6.0%
27H. Historical Beer: Roggenbier
Historical Beer
OG 1.046–1.056 · FG 1.010–1.014 · IBU 10–20 · SRM 14–19 · ABV 4.5–6.0%
27I. Historical Beer: Sahti
Historical Beer
OG 1.076–1.120 · FG 1.016–1.038 · IBU 0–15 · SRM 4–22 · ABV 7.0–11.0%
28A. Brett Beer
American Wild Ale
28B. Mixed-Fermentation Sour Beer
American Wild Ale
28C. Wild Specialty Beer
American Wild Ale
28D. Straight Sour Beer
American Wild Ale
OG 1.048–1.065 · FG 1.006–1.013 · IBU 3–8 · SRM 2–3 · ABV 4.5–7.0%
29A. Fruit Beer
Fruit Beer
29B. Fruit and Spice Beer
Fruit Beer
29C. Specialty Fruit Beer
Fruit Beer
29D. Grape Ale
Fruit Beer
OG 1.059–1.075 · FG 1.004–1.013 · IBU 10–30 · SRM 4–8 · ABV 6.0–8.5%
30A. Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Beer
Spiced Beer
30B. Autumn Seasonal Beer
Spiced Beer
30C. Winter Seasonal Beer
Spiced Beer
30D. Specialty Spice Beer
Spiced Beer
31A. Alternative Grain Beer
Alternative Fermentables Beer
31B. Alternative Sugar Beer
Alternative Fermentables Beer
32A. Classic Style Smoked Beer
Smoked Beer
32B. Specialty Smoked Beer
Smoked Beer
33A. Wood-Aged Beer
Wood Beer
33B. Specialty Wood-Aged Beer
Wood Beer
34A. Commercial Specialty Beer
Specialty Beer
34B. Mixed-Style Beer
Specialty Beer
34C. Experimental Beer
Specialty Beer
C1A. Common Cider
Traditional Cider
OG 1.045–1.065 · FG 0.995–1.020 · ABV 4.5–8.0%
C1B. Heirloom Cider
Traditional Cider
OG 1.050–1.080 · FG 0.995–1.020 · ABV 6.0–9.0%
C1C. English Cider
Traditional Cider
OG 1.050–1.075 · FG 0.995–1.015 · ABV 6.0–9.0%
C1D. French Cider
Traditional Cider
OG 1.045–1.065 · FG 1.005–1.020 · ABV 3.0–6.0%
C1E. Spanish Cider
Traditional Cider
OG 1.040–1.055 · FG 0.995–1.010 · ABV 5.0–6.5%
C2A. New England Cider
Strong Cider
OG 1.060–1.100 · FG 0.995–1.020 · ABV 7.0–13.0%
C2B. Applewine
Strong Cider
OG 1.070–1.100 · FG 0.995–1.020 · ABV 9.0–12.0%
C2C. Ice Cider
Strong Cider
OG 1.130–1.180 · FG 1.050–1.085 · ABV 7.0–13.0%
C2D. Fire Cider
Strong Cider
OG 1.130–1.180 · FG 1.040–1.075 · ABV 9.0–16.0%
C3A. Fruit Cider
Specialty Cider
OG 1.045–1.070 · FG 0.995–1.010 · ABV 5.0–9.0%
C3B. Spiced Cider
Specialty Cider
OG 1.045–1.070 · FG 0.995–1.010 · ABV 5.0–9.0%
C3C. Experimental Cider
Specialty Cider
OG 1.045–1.100 · FG 0.995–1.020 · ABV 5.0–12.0%
C4A. Common Perry
Perry
OG 1.050–1.060 · FG 1.000–1.020 · ABV 5.0–8.0%
C4B. Heirloom Perry
Perry
OG 1.050–1.070 · FG 1.000–1.020 · ABV 4.0–9.0%
C4C. Ice Perry
Perry
OG 1.130–1.170 · FG 1.050–1.085 · ABV 9.0–12.0%
C4D. Experimental Perry
Perry
OG 1.045–1.100 · FG 0.995–1.020 · ABV 5.0–12.0%
M1A. Dry Mead
Traditional Mead
M1B. Semi-Sweet Mead
Traditional Mead
M1C. Sweet Mead
Traditional Mead
M2A. Cyser
Fruit Mead
M2B. Pyment
Fruit Mead
M2C. Berry Mead
Fruit Mead
M2D. Stone Fruit Mead
Fruit Mead
M2E. Melomel
Fruit Mead
M3A. Fruit and Spice Mead
Spiced Mead
M3B. Spice, Herb or Vegetable Mead
Spiced Mead
M4A. Braggot
Specialty Mead
M4B. Historical Mead
Specialty Mead
M4C. Experimental Mead
Specialty Mead
X1. Pampas Golden Ale
Local Styles
OG 1.042–1.054 · FG 1.009–1.013 · IBU 15–22 · SRM 3–5 · ABV 4.3–5.5%
X2. Argentine IPA
Local Styles
OG 1.055–1.065 · FG 1.008–1.015 · IBU 35–60 · SRM 6–15 · ABV 5.0–6.5%
X3. Italian Grape Ale
Specialty Beer
OG 1.045–1.100 · FG 1.005–1.015 · IBU 6–30 · SRM 4–25 · ABV 4.5–12.0%
X4. Catharina Sour
Fruit Beer
OG 1.039–1.048 · FG 1.004–1.012 · IBU 2–8 · SRM 2–6 · ABV 4.0–5.5%
X5. New Zealand Pilsner
Pale Commonwealth Beer
OG 1.044–1.056 · FG 1.009–1.014 · IBU 25–45 · SRM 2–6 · ABV 4.5–5.8%

Beverage style guidelines are used with the permission of the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP). BJCP Style Guidelines Copyright © BJCP, Inc. The most current guidelines are available at www.bjcp.org.

Plan recipes, track every batch and keep all your brewing numbers in one place. Foambyte is free to start.

Start Free

How to use the style guide

Search for a style by its name, its BJCP number, such as 21A, or a tag like “hoppy” or “lagered”, and narrow the list to beer, cider or mead. Each style opens its own page with the full BJCP description and its vital statistics.

To find the styles your beer fits, enter any of its numbers: original and final gravity, bitterness, color and alcohol. Color follows your unit system, in SRM or EBC. The finder lists the styles whose ranges include every number you entered, and otherwise the closest ones, with the numbers that fall outside.

Style ranges are a guide, not a rule: a beer is judged against the style’s description, and the vital statistics describe typical examples.

Inside Foambyte, the recipe studio shows each recipe’s color against the range of its BJCP style, and batches keep the style they were brewed to.

Sources

Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP). “BJCP Style Guidelines”, bjcp.org. Style names, numbers, categories, descriptions and vital statistics, used with the permission of the BJCP. BJCP Style Guidelines Copyright © BJCP, Inc..

Frequently asked questions

What is the BJCP?

The Beer Judge Certification Program, a non-profit that certifies beer, mead and cider judges and publishes the style guidelines used at most homebrew competitions. The guidelines describe each style's aroma, appearance, flavor, mouthfeel and history, and give ranges for its vital statistics.

What are the vital statistics?

The typical ranges of original gravity, final gravity, bitterness (IBU), color (SRM) and alcohol (ABV) for a style. A beer can fall outside one of them and still be a good example; judges score how the beer tastes against the description.

Why do some styles have no vital statistics?

Specialty styles, such as fruit, spice or wood-aged beers and many meads and ciders, depend on the base style or the ingredients the brewer chooses, so the guidelines describe them without fixed ranges.

How does matching my beer work?

Enter any of your beer's numbers. The finder lists the styles whose ranges include all of them, or, if none does, the closest styles and which numbers fall outside. It is a starting point; read the style descriptions to choose.

Where can I find the official guidelines?

At bjcp.org, which always has the most current version, along with the competition and judging materials. The style pages here are shown with the BJCP's permission.