Malt aroma & flavor
A slightly sweet and toasted, biscuity, bready malt aroma and flavor is present.
European Origin Lager Styles
Czech-Style Pale Lager
Lager · Straw to gold
What to expect
A slightly sweet and toasted, biscuity, bready malt aroma and flavor is present.
Reading guide · The complete guideline attributes below preserve the source’s qualifications.Color · SRM
4–7
Pale / strawBlack
Straw to gold · Illustrative colors on the shared, uneven SRM scale.
Explore styles overlapping this color rangeAlcohol · ABV
4.6–5.1%
Reference scale, not a limit on official guideline values.
Bitterness · IBU
20–45
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
Medium-low to medium, derived from late kettle hopping with noble-type hops.
Perceived bitterness
Medium
Body & mouthfeel
Medium
Clarity
Appearance should be clear. Unfiltered versions may exhibit slight turbidity.
Color
Straw to gold
Fermentation characteristics
The upper limit of original gravity of versions brewed in Czech Republic is 12.99 °Plato or 1.052 specific gravity. Esters are usually not present, but if present should be extremely low, at the limit of perception. 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.
Additional guideline notes & competition context
The head should be dense.
Technical specifications, including gravity
Original Gravity (°Plato) 1.044-1.052 (11-12.99 °Plato) • Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (°Plato) 1.009-1.018 (2.3-4.5 °Plato) • Alcohol by Weight (Volume) 3.63%-4.03% (4.6%-5.1%) • Hop Bitterness (IBU) 20-45 • Color SRM (EBC) 4-7 (7-14 EBC)