ASTM_E_1879_-_17.pdf

Designation:E187917Standard Guide forSensory Evaluation of Beverages Containing Alcohol1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1879;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This guide provides guidelines specific to the sensoryand consumer evaluation of alcoholic beverages,includingbeer,wine,coolers,cocktails,ready to drinks,liqueurs,hardciders,and distilled spirits.1.2 This guide addresses safety,legal,panel selection,sample preparation,test procedures,and code of conductspecific 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 nuancesof testing throughout the world.Different countries havedifferent guidelines while some countries do not have their ownguidelines.The definition of a standard drink(or unit ofalcohol)also differs from country to country.This guide isgenerally focused on testing within the US(and to an extentCanada);and even within these regions,laws could changeover time.This guide covers what is generally in placecurrently in these areas and is suggested for countries thatgenerally have no guidelines of their own.It is the responsi-bility 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(1 and2)2).1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety,health,and environmental practices and deter-mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-ization established in the Decision on Principles for theDevelopment of International Standards,Guides and Recom-mendations issued by the World Trade Organization TechnicalBarriers to Trade(TBT)Committee.2.Significance and Use2.1 The procedures recommended in this guide can be usedfor the sensory evaluation of alcoholic beverages.2.2 This guide provides practical suggestions to maximizepanelist safety and to minimize the risks and liabilities of theperson or corporation responsible for administering the sensoryevaluation of alcoholic beverages.2.3 This guide also provides practical suggestions whendealing with various government agencies that are involved indistributing alcoholic beverage test products.2.4 This guide uses a research example(Appendix X1)toframe the safety and regulatory considerations when conduct-ing sensory evaluations of alcoholic beverage products.NOTE1See also Appendix X1 and STP 913(3).3.Safety3.1 Medical ConditionPotential panelists must be in goodmedical condition with no serious health problems.Informthem that they should not participate on panels if they aretaking prescription or over-the-counter medications,which arecontraindicated when combined with alcohol.It is recom-mended that women who are pregnant,may be pregnant,ornursing should not participate.Recruiting should be conductedin such a way to ensure that those not meeting these medicalrequirements are excluded from participation.3.2 Sample SizeLimit the sample volume for evaluation toan amount which will ensure the respondent will not have ablood alcohol level greater than a legal limit(see 8.3.1.3).3.3 Home-Use Testing:3.3.1 Home-Use Tests(HUTs)with alcoholic beverages areoften used to determine product acceptance and how productsare typically used.Transportation and storage of high proofspirits are very important.In addition to an informed consentform(see 5.2.1),it is recommended that the following state-ments accompany products used in home-use testing:3.3.1.1 The sponsor of this study is a well-known majormanufacturer who considers the health and safety of researchparticipants and the public to be of the utmost importance.3.3.1.2 Some suggested guidelines that may be given toparticipants are listed as follows.Compliance with the guide-lines given are necessary to ensure that the alcoholic beverage1This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E18 on SensoryEvaluation and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E18.06 on Food andBeverage Evaluation.Current edition approved Sept.1,2017.Published October 2017.Originallyapproved in 1997.Last previous edition approved in 2010 as E1879 00(2010).DOI:10.1520/E1879-17.2The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end ofthis standard.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United StatesThis international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standard