[Steve L]

I'm at building a recipe for a version of an Oatmeal Cookie Stout with raisins and spices. Not sure what category this would fall into, oatmeal stout, spice beer, fruit beer.... all of the above,
Any suggestions from you judges who've had these show up in competitions....

Thanks!

[mabrungard]

If the spice notes are apparent, it will need to go into the SHV category. I doubt that any raisiny flavor would be considered 'fruit' enough to warrant placement in the Fruit beer category.

If the spice or raisin flavors are low, you may be able to pass it into another stout category.

[Steve L]

Thanks for the guidance. Might be a situation where a taste dictates the direction.

[kramerog]

If the raisins and spices are apparent then the proper category and subcategory is 29B, fruit and spice beer.

If just spices, category 30.

If just fruit, category 29.

[mabrungard]

Might be a situation where a taste dictates the direction.

Absolutely. It doesn't matter that you put ingredient X in your recipe, if you (and judges) can't perceive it, its not worth mentioning or categorizing because of it.

[brewinhard]

If the spice notes are apparent, it will need to go into the SHV category. I doubt that any raisiny flavor would be considered 'fruit' enough to warrant placement in the Fruit beer category.

If the spice or raisin flavors are low, you may be able to pass it into another stout category.

This ^^^^^. I brewed up Bugeater's (from the BN) classic Oatmeal Raisin cookie ale once and entered it in SHV category. Scored well, and before you know it, the beer was gone!

[Steve L]

Excellent, Thanks for all the input. Can't wait to brew this one up.