Beer Label Confusion

No, the TTB would not require a formula for the use of grapes as they're on the exempt ingredient list. https://www.ttb.gov/rulings/ttb-ruling-2015-1-attachment-1.pdf

I would imagine, however, that we would mention them as that would be an interesting aspect of the beer that we'd like to make folks aware of. It wouldn't require being called out on the front label in a prominent manner as other ingredients or class designations are, but we'd definitely mention grapes somewhere on the label.

 

The use of the ingredients or processes identified in Attachment 1 to this ruling in the production of beer does not require the filing of a formula.
From Attachment #1:

But, the way I read it, that does not mean they don't have to follow the labeling regulation:
... must include enough information to make it clear that the product contains at least one of the ingredients exempted by this ruling.

Lots of similar examples to the Lagunitas label in Attachment #2 which are called "inadequate" or "misleading designations".

Of course, I'm just quoting the TTB rules, what happens in the "real world" often differs...

I blame the Brewers Association (one of the BA forum's favorite whipping boy, after all):
On September 30, 2015, the Brewers Association submitted a petition, asking that TTB
determine that 48 additional ingredients are traditional ingredients when used in the production of fermented beverages designated as beer, ale, porter, stout, lager, or malt liquor.

But, c'mon, use whatever ingredient you want (as much as it pains me to say that, as I see all the FMB "Craft" beers on the shelves) but, at least, clearly note the fact on the label!

 

Good catch. For me, I have to wonder why you would choose to incorporate an ingredient that has obvious flavor/aroma impact and then not mention it.

 

You picked up a single? There enters your problem. I am pretty positive the carrier mentions the grapes on it. I don't quite recall.
Also. If you have never seen a beer before, and knowing that Lagunitas isn't exactly making many sours. Why not ask the person ringing you up about it? Or, use your phone for the instant wisdom generator and go to Lagunitas dot com and see the list of hiiiiiighly limited beers with its description. There is says what made it the beer it is straight away.
It sucks having to rely on yourself for being an informed consumer. But. This is America in the Donald Trump era. All bets are off.
If you are allergic to stuff. That's kind of your job to figure out how to avoid it if its that bad for you to be around it.

 

Neither do I see "Fruit ale” or “Flavored ale” or “Spiced stout” as referenced in the ruling. The "category" in the ruling must be different than the COLA "type" or "class".

 

Yeah, the TTB appears to consider those terms (Spiced, Flavored, etc) as "designations" of a class or type, according to the wording in Attachment #2 and this comment in the Ruling itself:

Boulevard Changling's COLA states "This COLA is conditioned upon compliance with TTB Ruling 2015-1" while Lagunitas' doesn't. Boulevard followed the Ruling's suggestion (pg. 2):

To avoid delays in the processing of COLA applications, brewers and importers are encouraged to note on their application that they are requesting approval of a new label for a product made with an ingredient or process exempted under this ruling and are labeling the product in accordance with the provisions of this ruling by inserting “TTB Ruling 2014-4” or “TTB Ruling 2015-1” as a comment on TTB F 5100.31, Application for and Certification/Exemption of Label/Bottle Approval or via COLAs Online.

 

You really don't think breweries "borrow" ideas for new recipes from each other? They could get something useful from a label, though generally not proportions, times, temperatures, etc. I do agree that they should show contents for those with allergies.

 

The label doesn't mention that it was brewed by Heineken either.

 

I tend to agree that it would be nice to know more about what's in the beer, but similar to what it is now, there would have to be some limit or brewers would run out of room on the label. But if really wanted to know what was in it and how it was made, Double IPA could list:

....for 6 gallons so this would need to be converted to a 12oz serving

• 13.25 lb (6.01 kg) two-row pale malt
• 0.6 lb (272 g) crystal 45° L malt
• 0.6 lb (272 g) Carapils (dextrin) malt
• 0.75 lb (340 g) dextrose (corn) sugar
• 3.5 oz (99 g) Columbus* hops, 13.9% a.a. (90 min)
• 0.75 oz (21 g) Columbus* hops, 13.9% a.a. (45 min)
• 1.0 oz (28 g) Simcoe hops, 12.3% a.a. (30 min)
• 1.0 oz (28 g) Centennial hops, 8% a.a. (0 min)
• 2.5 oz (71 g) Simcoe hops, 12.3% a.a. (0 min)
• 1.0 oz (28 g) Columbus* hops, 13.9% a.a. (dry hop, 12-14 days total)
• 1.0 oz (28 g) Centennial hops, 9.1% a.a. (dry hop, 12-14 days total)
• 1.0 oz (28 g) Simcoe hops, 12.3% a.a. (dry hop, 12-14 days total)
• 0.25 oz (7 g) Columbus* hops, 13.9% a.a. (dry hop, 5 days to go in dry hop)
• 0.25 oz (7 g) Centennial hops, 9.1% a.a. (dry hop, 5 days to go in dry hop)
• 0.25 oz (7 g) Simcoe hops, 12.3% a.a. (dry hop, 5 days to go in dry hop)
• White Labs WLP001 California Ale Yeast or Wyeast 1056 America Ale Yeast

Some time back, this recipe for Pliny the Elder was in Zymergy

 

Nice.

Sounds pretty responsive to your concern.

 

Should have looked it up on your phone while in the store. Easiest way to check on a beer.

 

I'm the only person I've seen perusing the beer aisle with an iPad...so my old tired eyes can see what's said about the beer. I had a beer rep stop and ask me one time if I was doing a survey.

 

I've had reps question me as well, particularly ones new to the job. Pleasant conversations where they are actually surprised about using a magnifying glass to find date codes.

 

She was a Bud rep. Don't know if she was new or not, but we did get into a conversation of things to think about when getting something new or that I hadn't had before. Told her about a recent trip to Germany where all (almost all) the beer there has the style of beer in the name...I kinda liked that. There were exceptions, like Vetters 33 and Schonbuch for example, that din't do that on all the beers, but all-in-all it was helpful to know.

 

I'd be real happy with
Fermentables: Two-Row, Crystal 45, Carapils, Dextrose
Hops: Columbus, Centennial, Simcoe

Nobody's secret sauce is exposed with this level of info, but it would be terribly helpful in identifying a common flavor across beers that you like or dislike.