Malt aroma & flavor
Very low
North American Origin Lager Styles
American-Style Light Lager
Lager · Very light to pale
What to expect
Malt character: Very low. Hop character: Absent to very low.
Reading guide · The complete guideline attributes below preserve the source’s qualifications.Color · SRM
1.5–4
Pale / strawBlack
Very light to pale · Illustrative colors on the shared, uneven SRM scale.
Explore styles overlapping this color rangeAlcohol · ABV
3.5–4.4%
Reference scale, not a limit on official guideline values.
Bitterness · IBU
4–10
Measured bitterness; perceived bitterness is described in the guideline below.
Brewers Association 2026 · Printed guideline page 41 · PDF page 50. Color graphics are illustrative.
The guideline, in detail
Official style attributes, including what may be present and what should be absent.
Hop aroma & flavor
Absent to very low
Perceived bitterness
Absent to very low
Body & mouthfeel
Low with dry mouthfeel
Clarity
Chill haze should not be present
Color
Very light to pale
Fermentation characteristics
Fruity esters are usually absent but may be present at very low levels. Diacetyl, acetaldehyde, and DMS should not be present. These beers are characterized by an extremely high degree of attenuation. Final gravity is often less than 1.000 (0.0 oPlato).
Additional guideline notes & competition context
Corn, rice or other grain or sugar adjuncts are often used. These beers are high in carbonation. Flavor attributes typical of beer are usually very low when present. Calories should not exceed 125 per 12-ounce serving. Low carb beers should have a maximum carbohydrate level of 3.0 gm per 12 oz. (355 ml).
Technical specifications, including gravity
Original Gravity (°Plato) 1.024-1.040 (6.1-10 °Plato) • Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (°Plato) 0.992- 1.008 (minus 2.1-2.1 °Plato) • Alcohol by Weight (Volume) 2.8%-3.5% (3.5%-4.4%) • Hop Bitterness (IBU) 4-10 • Color SRM (EBC) 1.5-4 (3-8 EBC)