Malt aroma & flavor
Sweet, bready and/or biscuity malt character should be low and should not be caramelly
European Origin Lager Styles
Dortmunder/European-Style Export
Lager · Straw to deep gold
What to expect
Sweet, bready and/or biscuity malt character should be low and should not be caramelly
Reading guide · The complete guideline attributes below preserve the source’s qualifications.Color · SRM
3–6
Pale / strawBlack
Straw to deep gold · Illustrative colors on the shared, uneven SRM scale.
Explore styles overlapping this color rangeAlcohol · ABV
5.1–6.1%
Reference scale, not a limit on official guideline values.
Bitterness · IBU
23–30
Measured bitterness; perceived bitterness is described in the guideline below.
Brewers Association 2026 · Printed guideline page 36 · PDF page 45. Color graphics are illustrative.
The guideline, in detail
Official style attributes, including what may be present and what should be absent.
Hop aroma & flavor
Very low to low, derived from noble-type hops.
Perceived bitterness
Medium
Body & mouthfeel
Medium
Clarity
Appearance should be clear. Chill haze should not be present
Color
Straw to deep gold
Fermentation characteristics
Fruity esters and diacetyl should not be present.
Additional guideline notes & competition context
Traditionally, German-style Export beers were brewed to higher gravity/higher alcohol than domestic beers to promote longer shelf-life in export markets.
Technical specifications, including gravity
Original Gravity (°Plato) 1.050-1.057 (12.5-14 °Plato) • Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (°Plato) 1.010- 1.014 (2.6-3.6 °Plato) • Alcohol by Weight (Volume) 4.0%-4.8% (5.1%-6.1%) • Hop Bitterness (IBU) 23-30 • Color SRM (EBC) 3-6 (6-12 EBC)