diff --git a/brew/styles.py b/brew/styles.py
index b6d830d..1e9986d 100644
--- a/brew/styles.py
+++ b/brew/styles.py
@@ -38,7 +38,8 @@ def __init__(self,
         self.ibu = self._validate_input_list(ibu, (int, float), "IBU")
         self.color = self._validate_input_list(color, (int, float), "Color")
 
-    def _validate_input_list(self, value_list, value_type, name):
+    @classmethod
+    def _validate_input_list(cls, value_list, value_type, name):
         """
         Private class to validate inputs for class parameters
 
diff --git a/tests/test_styles.py b/tests/test_styles.py
index 008fa4d..ca43e6a 100644
--- a/tests/test_styles.py
+++ b/tests/test_styles.py
@@ -18,6 +18,30 @@ def setUp(self):
         # Define Style
         self.style = american_pale_ale_style
 
+    def test_validate_input_list_empty(self):
+        with self.assertRaises(Exception):
+            Style._validate_input_list(None, (int, float), 'OG')
+
+    def test_validate_input_list_type(self):
+        with self.assertRaises(Exception):
+            Style._validate_input_list({'a': 'b'}, (int, float), 'OG')
+
+    def test_validate_input_list_length_short(self):
+        with self.assertRaises(Exception):
+            Style._validate_input_list([1], (int, float), 'OG')
+
+    def test_validate_input_list_length_long(self):
+        with self.assertRaises(Exception):
+            Style._validate_input_list([1, 2, 3], (int, float), 'OG')
+
+    def test_validate_input_list_wrong_type(self):
+        with self.assertRaises(Exception):
+            Style._validate_input_list([1, '2'], (int, float), 'OG')
+
+    def test_validate_input_list_bad_order(self):
+        with self.assertRaises(Exception):
+            Style._validate_input_list([2, 1], (int, float), 'OG')
+
     def test_str(self):
         out = str(self.style)
         self.assertEquals(out, '18B American Pale Ale')