Malt aroma & flavor
Characterized by malty aroma and light malt sweetness, which should have a lightly toasted and/or caramel malt character.
European Origin Lager Styles
Franconian-Style Rotbier
Lager · Amber to dark red
What to expect
Characterized by malty aroma and light malt sweetness, which should have a lightly toasted and/or caramel malt character.
Reading guide · The complete guideline attributes below preserve the source’s qualifications.Color · SRM
13–23
Pale / strawBlack
Amber to dark red · Illustrative colors on the shared, uneven SRM scale.
Explore styles overlapping this color rangeAlcohol · ABV
4.8–5.4%
Reference scale, not a limit on official guideline values.
Bitterness · IBU
22–28
Measured bitterness; perceived bitterness is described in the guideline below.
Brewers Association 2026 · Printed guideline page 37 · PDF page 46. 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, with attributes typical of noble-type hops.
Perceived bitterness
Low to medium-low, producing a clean finish.
Body & mouthfeel
Medium
Clarity
Clear to slightly hazy for unfiltered versions. Chill haze should not be present.
Color
Amber to dark red
Fermentation characteristics
DMS, diacetyl, fruity esters, and phenolic attributes should not be present.
Technical specifications, including gravity
Original Gravity (°Plato) 1.046-1.056 (11.4-13.8 °Plato) • Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (°Plato) 1.012-1.018 (3.1-4.6 °Plato) • Alcohol by Weight (Volume) 3.8%-4.3% (4.8%-5.4%) • Hop Bitterness (IBU) 22-28 • Color SRM (EBC) 13-23 (26-46 EBC)