Malt aroma & flavor
The dominant flavor is of pale malt sweetness at medium-low to medium levels. Caramel malt attributes should be absent. Attributes typical of corn or other adjuncts may be present at low levels.
All Origin Hybrid/Mixed Lagers or Ales
American-Style Cream Ale
Mixed / specialty · Straw to gold
What to expect
The dominant flavor is of pale malt sweetness at medium-low to medium levels.
Reading guide · The complete guideline attributes below preserve the source’s qualifications.Color · SRM
2–5
Pale / strawBlack
Straw to gold · Illustrative colors on the shared, uneven SRM scale.
Explore styles overlapping this color rangeAlcohol · ABV
4.3–5.7%
Reference scale, not a limit on official guideline values.
Bitterness · IBU
10–22
Measured bitterness; perceived bitterness is described in the guideline below.
Brewers Association 2026 · Printed guideline page 46 · PDF page 55. Color graphics are illustrative.
The guideline, in detail
Official style attributes, including what may be present and what should be absent.
Hop aroma & flavor
Hop aroma and flavor is very low to low or may be absent
Perceived bitterness
Very low to low
Body & mouthfeel
Low
Clarity
Chill haze should be very low or not be present
Color
Straw to gold
Fermentation characteristics
Low level fruity esters may be present. Sulfur and DMS are usually absent but may be present at extremely low levels. Diacetyl should not be present.
Additional guideline notes & competition context
These crisp and refreshing beers are fermented warm with ale or lager yeast and lagered cold.
Technical specifications, including gravity
Original Gravity (°Plato) 1.044-1.052 (11-12.9 °Plato) • Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (°Plato) 1.004- 1.010 (1-2.6 °Plato) • Alcohol by Weight (Volume) 3.4%-4.5% (4.3%-5.7%) • Hop Bitterness (IBU) 10-22 • Color SRM (EBC) 2-5 (4-10 EBC)