ASTM E1879-20

Standard Guide for Sensory Evaluation of Beverages Containing Alcohol

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
2.1 The procedures recommended in this guide can be used for the sensory evaluation of alcoholic beverages.  
2.2 This guide provides practical suggestions to maximize panelist safety and to minimize the risks and liabilities of the person or corporation responsible for administering the sensory evaluation of alcoholic beverages.  
2.3 This guide also provides practical suggestions when dealing with various government agencies that are involved in distributing alcoholic beverage test products.  
2.4 This guide uses a research example (Appendix X1) to frame the safety and regulatory considerations when conducting sensory evaluations of alcoholic beverage products.
Note 1: See also Appendix X1 and STP 913 (3).
SCOPE
1.1 This guide provides guidelines specific to the sensory and consumer evaluation of alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine, coolers, cocktails, ready to drinks, liqueurs, hard ciders, and distilled spirits.  
1.2 This guide addresses safety, legal, panel selection, sample preparation, test procedures, and code of conduct specific to alcoholic beverages.  
1.3 This guide does not recommend a specific test method.  
1.4 The guide does not purport to address all of the nuances of testing throughout the world. Different countries have different guidelines while some countries do not have their own guidelines. The definition of a standard drink (or unit of alcohol) also differs from country to country. This guide is generally focused on testing within the US (and to an extent Canada); and even within these regions, laws could change over time. This guide covers what is generally in place currently in these areas and is suggested for countries that generally have no guidelines of their own. It is the responsibility of the user to be aware of their local laws and regulations, corporate policies and procedures, and apply them as needed. Some useful resources are also cited in this guide (1, 2)2.  
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Jan-2020
• ICS: 67.160.10 - Alcoholic beverages
• Technical Committee: E18 - Sensory Evaluation
• Drafting Committee: E18.06 - Food and Beverage Evaluation

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: E1879 − 20
Standard Guide for
1
Sensory Evaluation of Beverages Containing Alcohol
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1879; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Significance and Use
1.1 This guide provides guidelines specific to the sensory 2.1 The procedures recommended in this guide can be used
and consumer evaluation of alcoholic beverages, including
for the sensory evaluation of alcoholic beverages.
beer, wine, coolers, cocktails, ready to drinks, liqueurs, hard
2.2 This guide provides practical suggestions to maximize
ciders, and distilled spirits.
panelist safety and to minimize the risks and liabilities of the
1.2 This guide addresses safety, legal, panel selection,
personorcorporationresponsibleforadministeringthesensory
sample preparation, test procedures, and code of conduct
evaluation of alcoholic beverages.
specific to alcoholic beverages.
2.3 This guide also provides practical suggestions when
1.3 This guide does not recommend a specific test method.
dealing with various government agencies that are involved in
distributing alcoholic beverage test products.
1.4 The guide does not purport to address all of the nuances
of testing throughout the world. Different countries have
2.4 This guide uses a research example (Appendix X1)to
differentguidelineswhilesomecountriesdonothavetheirown
frame the safety and regulatory considerations when conduct-
guidelines. The definition of a standard drink (or unit of
ing sensory evaluations of alcoholic beverage products.
alcohol) also differs from country to country. This guide is
NOTE 1—See also Appendix X1 and STP 913 (3).
generally focused on testing within the US (and to an extent
Canada); and even within these regions, laws could change
3. Safety
over time. This guide covers what is generally in place
currently in these areas and is suggested for countries that 3.1 Medical Condition—Potential panelists must be in good
generally have no guidelines of their own. It is the responsi- medical condition with no serious health problems. Inform
bilityoftheusertobeawareoftheirlocallawsandregulations, them that they should not participate on panels if they are
corporate policies and procedures, and apply them as needed. taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, which are
2
Some useful resources are also cited in this guide (1, 2) . contraindicated when combined with alcohol. It is recom-
mended that women who are pregnant, may be pregnant, or
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
nursing should not participate. Recruiting should be conducted
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
in such a way to ensure that those not meeting these medical
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
requirements are excluded from participation.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.2 Sample Size—Limit the sample volume for evaluation to
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor- an amount which will ensure the respondent will not have a
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- blood alcohol level greater than a legal limit (see 8.3.1.3).
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
3.3 Home Use Testing:
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.3.1 Home Use Tests (HUTs) with alcoholic beverages are
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
often used to determine product acceptance and how products
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
are typically used. Regulation of transportation and storage of
high proof spirits is very important; it is the responsibility of
the sensory professional to inform the assessor of all legal
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E18 on Sensory
requirements regarding transportation and storage, including
Evaluation and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E18.06 on Food and
whether it will be the sensory professional or the assessor who
Beverage Evaluation.
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2020. Published February 2020. Originally is transporting/shipping the samples.
approved in 1997. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as E1879 – 17. DOI:
3.3.1.1 If shipping samples, consider shipping conditions
10.1520/E1879-20.
2
(for example, time of delivery, temperature of shipment) and
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of
this standard. ensure receipt is by a person of legal drinking age.
Copyri
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E1879 − 17 E1879 − 20
Standard Guide for
1
Sensory Evaluation of Beverages Containing Alcohol
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1879; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This guide provides guidelines specific to the sensory and consumer evaluation of alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine,
coolers, cocktails, ready to drinks, liqueurs, hard ciders, and distilled spirits.
1.2 This guide addresses safety, legal, panel selection, sample preparation, test procedures, and code of conduct specific to
alcoholic beverages.
1.3 This guide does not recommend a specific test method.
1.4 The guide does not purport to address all of the nuances of testing throughout the world. Different countries have different
guidelines while some countries do not have their own guidelines. The definition of a standard drink (or unit of alcohol) also differs
from country to country. This guide is generally focused on testing within the US (and to an extent Canada); and even within these
regions, laws could change over time. This guide covers what is generally in place currently in these areas and is suggested for
countries that generally have no guidelines of their own. It is the responsibility of the user to be aware of their local laws and
regulations, corporate policies and procedures, and apply them as needed. Some useful resources are also cited in this guide (Refs
2
(1 and 21, 2) .).
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Significance and Use
2.1 The procedures recommended in this guide can be used for the sensory evaluation of alcoholic beverages.
2.2 This guide provides practical suggestions to maximize panelist safety and to minimize the risks and liabilities of the person
or corporation responsible for administering the sensory evaluation of alcoholic beverages.
2.3 This guide also provides practical suggestions when dealing with various government agencies that are involved in
distributing alcoholic beverage test products.
2.4 This guide uses a research example (Appendix X1) to frame the safety and regulatory considerations when conducting
sensory evaluations of alcoholic beverage products.
NOTE 1—See also Appendix X1 and STP 913 (3).
3. Safety
3.1 Medical Condition—Potential panelists must be in good medical condition with no serious health problems. Inform them
that they should not participate on panels if they are taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, which are contraindicated
when combined with alcohol. It is recommended that women who are pregnant, may be pregnant, or nursing should not participate.
Recruiting should be conducted in such a way to ensure that those not meeting these medical requirements are excluded from
participation.
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E18 on Sensory Evaluation and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E18.06 on Food and Beverage
Evaluation.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2017Feb. 1, 2020. Published October 2017February 2020. Originally approved in 1997. Last previous edition approved in 20102017
as E1879 – 00 (2010).E1879 – 17. DOI: 10.1520/E1879-17.10.1520/E1879-20.
2
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E1879 − 20
3.2 Sample Size—Limit the sample volume for evaluation to an amount which will ensure the respondent will not have a blood
alcohol level greater than a legal limit (see 8.3.1.3).
3.3 Home-Use Home Use Testing:
3.3.1 Home-Use Home Use Tests (HUTs) with alcoholic beverages are often
...