Malt aroma & flavor
Light toasty or bready aroma and flavor attributes are often present. Roast or heavy toast/caramel malt aromas and flavors should not be present.
European Origin Lager Styles
German-Style Heller Bock/Maibock
Lager · Pale to light amber. The German word ‘helle’ means light-colored, thus Heller Bock is a pale beer.
What to expect
Light toasty or bready aroma and flavor attributes are often present.
Reading guide · The complete guideline attributes below preserve the source’s qualifications.Color · SRM
4–9
Pale / strawBlack
Pale to light amber. The German word ‘helle’ means light-colored, thus Heller Bock is a pale beer. · Illustrative colors on the shared, uneven SRM scale.
Explore styles overlapping this color rangeAlcohol · ABV
6.3–8.1%
Reference scale, not a limit on official guideline values.
Bitterness · IBU
20–38
Measured bitterness; perceived bitterness is described in the guideline below.
Brewers Association 2026 · Printed guideline page 39 · PDF page 48. 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, derived from noble-type hops.
Perceived bitterness
Low to medium-low
Body & mouthfeel
Medium to full
Clarity
Appearance should be clear. Chill haze should not be present
Color
Pale to light amber. The German word ‘helle’ means light-colored, thus Heller Bock is a pale beer.
Fermentation characteristics
Fruity esters, if present, should be low. Diacetyl should not be present.
Technical specifications, including gravity
Original Gravity (°Plato) 1.066-1.074 (16.1-18 °Plato) • Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (°Plato) 1.012- 1.020 (3.1-5.1 °Plato) • Alcohol by Weight (Volume) 5.0%-6.4% (6.3%-8.1%) • Hop Bitterness (IBU) 20-38 • Color SRM (EBC) 4-9 (8-18 EBC)