European Origin Lager Styles
Lager · Pale to light brown
Malt character: Sweet toasted malt aroma should be present. Hop character: Hop aroma and flavor is very low to low, derived from noble-type hops.
Reading guide · The complete guideline attributes below preserve the source’s qualifications.4–15
Pale to light brown · Illustrative colors on the shared, uneven SRM scale.
Explore styles overlapping this color range5.1–6.0%
Reference scale, not a limit on official guideline values.
18–25
Measured bitterness; perceived bitterness is described in the guideline below.
Brewers Association 2026 · Printed guideline page 38 · PDF page 47. Color graphics are illustrative.
Official style attributes, including what may be present and what should be absent.
Sweet toasted malt aroma should be present. Medium-low to medium toasted malt sweetness should be present. Aroma and flavor of smoked beechwood ranges from very low to medium. Smoke flavors should be smooth, without harshness. Aroma should strike a balance between malt, hop, and smoke.
Hop aroma and flavor is very low to low, derived from noble-type hops.
Low to medium
Full
Appearance should be clear. Chill haze should not be present
Pale to light brown
Fruity esters and diacetyl should not be present
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) 18-25 • Color SRM (EBC) 4-15 (8-30 EBC)