​​​​​ASBC Beer Flavor Wheel, Second Edition

​Development

The International Beer Flavor Terminology was developed by the American Society of Brewing Chemists (ASBC) in collaboration with the European Brewery Convention (EBC). These organizations, dedicated to the study of beer, felt that by providing brewers, researchers, judges, and marketing people with a simple and easily understandable terminology system, communication among beer industry professionals would improve.

The design of the ASBC Beer Flavor Wheel combines the original flavor wheel developed by J. C. Meilgaard, C. E. Dalgliesh, and J. F. Clapperton in 1979 with the updated, detailed terminology provided by experts. The original ASBC wheel was published in 2009, and the second edition was published in 2022 following review of the terminology by a team of sensory experts (Amanda Benson, Cindy-Lou Lakenburges, Tiffany Pitra), the ASBC Publications Committee, and the ASBC Sensory Committee.

Expanded List of Terms

The expanded list of terms provide​d here is meant to be a supplemental resource for the ASBC Beer Flavor Wheel, Second Edition. In addition to the terms on the wheel, this list provides additional terms (shown in italic) plus associated terms, relevant chemistry, and potential sources for many descriptors.

Consult the expanded list for support with the following:​

• To better understand associations between specific flavors and general flavor categories
  
• To search for unfamiliar terms used by panelists and identify synonyms or related terms
• To guide training exercises that cover flavor categories
• To better understand the sources of some flavors in beer
  

Se​e also the list of additional resources below.