Malt aroma & flavor
Medium to medium-high complex malt flavor and aroma with biscuit, cracker, toast and/or light caramel flavors present.
European Origin Lager Styles
Czech-Style Amber Lager
Lager · Dark amber to reddish brown
What to expect
Medium to medium-high complex malt flavor and aroma with biscuit, cracker, toast and/or light caramel flavors present.
Reading guide · The complete guideline attributes below preserve the source’s qualifications.Color · SRM
10–16
Pale / strawBlack
Dark amber to reddish brown · Illustrative colors on the shared, uneven SRM scale.
Explore styles overlapping this color rangeAlcohol · ABV
4.4–5.8%
Reference scale, not a limit on official guideline values.
Bitterness · IBU
20–35
Measured bitterness; perceived bitterness is described in the guideline below.
Brewers Association 2026 · Printed guideline page 34 · PDF page 43. 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 with attributes of noble-type hops.
Perceived bitterness
Medium-low to medium
Body & mouthfeel
Medium to medium-high
Clarity
Appearance should be clear. Chill haze should not be present.
Color
Dark amber to reddish brown
Fermentation characteristics
Esters are usually not present, but if present should be extremely low, at the limit of perception. Diacetyl may be allowable at low levels.
Additional guideline notes & competition context
The upper limit of original gravity of versions brewed in Czech Republic is 14.9 °Plato or 1.060 specific gravity. Very low levels of diacetyl, if present, are acceptable and may accent malt character. Low levels of sulfur compounds may be present. DMS and acetaldehyde should not be present. Many versions may exhibit flavor contributions typical of decoction mashing.
Technical specifications, including gravity
Original Gravity (°Plato) 1.044-1.060 (11-14.9 °Plato) • Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (°Plato) 1.013- 1.017 (3.3-4.3 °Plato) • Alcohol by Weight (Volume) 3.4%-4.6% (4.4%-5.8%) • Hop Bitterness (IBU) 20-35 • Color SRM (EBC) 10-16 (19-32 EBC)