Malt aroma & flavor
Medium level toasted or caramel malt attributes are present.
All Origin Hybrid/Mixed Lagers or Ales
California Common Beer
Mixed / specialty · Light to medium amber
What to expect
Medium level toasted or caramel malt attributes are present.
Reading guide · The complete guideline attributes below preserve the source’s qualifications.Color · SRM
8–15
Pale / strawBlack
Light to medium amber · Illustrative colors on the shared, uneven SRM scale.
Explore styles overlapping this color rangeAlcohol · ABV
4.6–5.7%
Reference scale, not a limit on official guideline values.
Bitterness · IBU
35–45
Measured bitterness; perceived bitterness is described in the guideline below.
Brewers Association 2026 · Printed guideline page 47 · PDF page 56. 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
Perceived bitterness
Medium to medium-high
Body & mouthfeel
Medium
Clarity
Appearance should be clear. Chill haze should not be present
Color
Light to medium amber
Fermentation characteristics
Fruity esters are low to medium-low. Diacetyl should be absent.
Additional guideline notes & competition context
California Common beers are brewed with lager yeasts but fermented at warm temperatures like ales.
Technical specifications, including gravity
Original Gravity (°Plato) 1.045-1.056 (11.2-13.8 °Plato) • Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (°Plato) 1.010-1.018 (2.6-4.6 °Plato) • Alcohol by Weight (Volume) 3.6%-4.5% (4.6%-5.7%) • Hop Bitterness (IBU) 35-45 • Color SRM (EBC) 8-15 (16-30 EBC)