Malt aroma & flavor
Low to medium-low caramel or toasted malt aromas and flavors should be present
North American Origin Lager Styles
American-Style Amber Lager
Lager · Gold to copper
What to expect
Low to medium-low caramel or toasted malt aromas and flavors should be present
Reading guide · The complete guideline attributes below preserve the source’s qualifications.Color · SRM
6–14
Pale / strawBlack
Gold to copper · Illustrative colors on the shared, uneven SRM scale.
Explore styles overlapping this color rangeAlcohol · ABV
4.8–5.4%
Reference scale, not a limit on official guideline values.
Bitterness · IBU
18–30
Measured bitterness; perceived bitterness is described in the guideline below.
Brewers Association 2026 · Printed guideline page 42 · PDF page 51. Color graphics are illustrative.
The guideline, in detail
Official style attributes, including what may be present and what should be absent.
Hop aroma & flavor
Very low to medium-high
Perceived bitterness
Very low to medium-high
Body & mouthfeel
Medium
Clarity
Appearance should be clear. Chill haze should not be present
Color
Gold to copper
Fermentation characteristics
Fruity esters and diacetyl should not be present
Technical specifications, including gravity
Original Gravity (°Plato) 1.042-1.056 (10.5-13.8 °Plato) • Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (°Plato) 1.010-1.018 (2.6-4.6 °Plato) • Alcohol by Weight (Volume) 3.8%-4.3% (4.8%-5.4%) • Hop Bitterness (IBU) 18-30 • Color SRM (EBC) 6-14 (12-28 EBC)