Malt aroma & flavor
Sweet maltiness should be present, expressed as a light toasted character. Bready or biscuity malt aroma and flavor is acceptable. Low level caramel attributes are acceptable.
North American Origin Lager Styles
American-Style Maerzen/Oktoberfest
Lager · Pale to reddish brown
What to expect
Sweet maltiness should be present, expressed as a light toasted character.
Reading guide · The complete guideline attributes below preserve the source’s qualifications.Color · SRM
4–15
Pale / strawBlack
Pale to reddish brown · Illustrative colors on the shared, uneven SRM scale.
Explore styles overlapping this color rangeAlcohol · ABV
5.1–6.0%
Reference scale, not a limit on official guideline values.
Bitterness · IBU
20–30
Measured bitterness; perceived bitterness is described in the guideline below.
Brewers Association 2026 · Printed guideline page 43 · PDF page 52. Color graphics are illustrative.
The guideline, in detail
Official style attributes, including what may be present and what should be absent.
Hop aroma & flavor
Low to medium-low exhibiting herbal, grass-like, spicy, floral, or citrus attributes
Perceived bitterness
Medium-low to medium
Body & mouthfeel
Medium
Clarity
Chill haze should not be present
Color
Pale to reddish brown
Fermentation characteristics
Fruity esters and diacetyl should not be present
Additional guideline notes & competition context
This American version of a classic German beer is distinguished by a more pronounced hop character.
Technical specifications, including gravity
Original Gravity (°Plato) 1.050-1.060 (12.4-14.7 °Plato) • Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (°Plato) 1.012-1.020 (3.1-5.1 °Plato) • Alcohol by Weight (Volume) 4.0%-4.7% (5.1%-6.0%) • Hop Bitterness (IBU) 20-30 • Color SRM (EBC) 4-15 (8-30 EBC)