This system uses the 2008 categories with the nearest equivalent beer styles from the 2015 guidelines. New styles introduced in the 2015 guidelines have been added to the (subjectively determined) most appropriate 2008 categories.
| (2) 1. Light Lager | (2) 13. Stout |
| A. 1A. American Light Lager B. 1B. American Lager C. 2A. International Pale Lager D. 4A. Munich Helles E. 4B. Festbier F. 5C. Helles Exportbier |
A. 15B. Irish Stout B. 15C. Irish Extra Stout C. 16A. Sweet Stout D. 16B. Oatmeal Stout E. 16C. Tropical Stout F. 16D. Foreign Export Stout G. 20B. American Stout H. 20C. Imperial Stout |
| (2) 2. Pilsner | (2) 14. India Pale Ale (IPA) |
| A. 5A. German Leichtbier B. 3A. Czech Pale Lager C. 5D. German Pils D. 3B. Czech Premium Pale Lager E. 27. Historical Beer (Pre-Pro Lager) |
A. 12C. English IPA B. 21A. American IPA C. 22A. Double IPA D. 21B. Specialty IPA (all) |
| (2) 3. European Amber Lager | (2) 15. German Wheat and Rye Beer |
| A. 7A. Vienna Lager B. 3C. Czech Amber Lager C. 6A. Märzen D. 7C. Kellerbier |
A. 10A. Weissbier B. 10B. Dunkles Weissbier C. 10C. Weizenbock D. 27. Historical Beer (Roggenbier) E. 27. Historical Beer (Sahti) |
| (2) 4. Dark Lager | (2) 16. Belgian and French Ale |
| A. 2C. International Dark Lager B. 8A. Munich Dunkel C. 3D. Czech Dark Lager D. 8B. Schwarzbier |
A. 24A. Witbier B. 26A. Trappist Single C. 24B. Belgian Pale Ale D. 25B. Saison E. 24C. Bière de Garde F. 34A. Clone Beer (Belgian styles only) |
| (2) 5. Bock | (2) 17. Sour Ale |
| A. 4C. Helles Bock B. 6C. Dunkles Bock C. 9A. Doppelbock D. 9B. Eisbock |
A. 23A. Berliner Weisse B. 27. Historical Beer (Gose) C. 23B. Flanders Red Ale D. 23C. Oud Bruin E. 23D. Lambic F. 23E. Gueuze G. 23F. Fruit Lambic |
| (2) 6. Light Hybrid Beer | (2) 18. Belgian Strong Ale |
| A. 1C. Cream Ale B. 18A. Blonde Ale C. 5B. Kölsch D. 1D. American Wheat Beer |
A. 25A. Belgian Blond Ale B. 26B. Belgian Dubbel C. 26C. Belgian Tripel D. 25C. Belgian Golden Strong Ale E. 26D. Belgian Dark Strong Ale |
| (2) 7. Amber Hybrid Beer | (2) 19. Strong Ale |
| A. 2B. International Amber Lager B. 27. Historical Beer (Kentucky Common) C. 19B. California Common D. 7B. Altbier |
A. 17B. Old Ale B. 17A. English Strong Ale C. 22B. American Strong Ale D. 17D. English Barleywine E. 22C. American Barleywine F. 22D. Wheatwine |
| (2) 8. English Pale Ale | (2) 20. Fruit Beer |
| A. 11A. Ordinary Bitter B. 11B. Best Bitter C. 11C. Strong Bitter D. 12A. British Golden Ale E. 12B. Australian Sparkling Ale |
A. 29A. Fruit Beer |
| (2) 9. Scottish and Irish Ale | (2) 21. Spice/Herb/Vegetable Beer |
| A. 14A. Scottish Light B. 14B. Scottish Heavy C. 14C. Scottish Export D. 15A. Irish Red Ale E. 17C. Wee Heavy |
A. 30A. Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Beer B. 30B. Autumn Seasonal Beer C. 30C. Winter Seasonal Beer |
| (2) 10. American Ale | (2) 22. Smoke-Flavored and Wood-Aged Beer |
| A. 18B. American Pale Ale B. 19A. American Amber Ale C. 19C. American Brown Ale |
A. 27. Historical Beer (Piwo Grodziskie) B. 27. Historical Beer (Lichtenhainer) C. 6B. Rauchbier D. 32A. Classic Style Smoked Beer E. 33A. Wood-Aged Beer |
| (2) 11. English Brown Ale | (2) 23. Specialty Beer |
| A. 13A. Dark Mild B. 27. Historical Beer (London Brown Ale) C. 13B. British Brown Ale |
A. 28A. Brett Beer B. 28B. Mixed-Fermentation Sour Beer C. 28C. Soured Fruit Beer D. 29B. Fruit and Spice Beer E. 29C. Specialty Fruit Beer F. 31A. Alternative Grain Beer G. 31B. Alternative Sugar Beer H. 32B. Specialty Smoked Beer I. 33B. Specialty Wood-Aged Beer J. 34A. Clone Beer (non-Belgian styles) K. 34B. Mixed-Style Beer L. 34C. Experimental Beer |
| (2) 12. Porter | |
| A. 13C. English Porter B. 27. Historical Beer (Pre-Pro Porter) C. 20A. American Porter D. 9C. Baltic Porter |