Malt aroma & flavor
Very low to medium-low
German Origin Ale Styles
German-Style Leichtes Weizen
Ale · Straw to copper-amber
What to expect
Malt character: Very low to medium-low. Hop character: Not present to very low.
Reading guide · The complete guideline attributes below preserve the source’s qualifications.Color · SRM
3.5–15
Pale / strawBlack
Straw to copper-amber · Illustrative colors on the shared, uneven SRM scale.
Explore styles overlapping this color rangeAlcohol · ABV
2.5–3.5%
Reference scale, not a limit on official guideline values.
Bitterness · IBU
10–15
Measured bitterness; perceived bitterness is described in the guideline below.
Brewers Association 2026 · Printed guideline page 20 · PDF page 29. Color graphics are illustrative.
The guideline, in detail
Official style attributes, including what may be present and what should be absent.
Hop aroma & flavor
Not present to very low
Perceived bitterness
Very low
Body & mouthfeel
Low with a lighter mouthfeel than Hefeweizen. The German word ‘leicht’ means light, and as such these beers are light versions of Hefeweizen.
Clarity
If served with yeast, appearance may be very cloudy.
Color
Straw to copper-amber
Fermentation characteristics
The phenolic and estery aromas typical of Weissbiers should be present but less pronounced in this style. The overall flavor profile is less complex than Hefeweizen due to a lower alcohol content and less yeasty flavor. Diacetyl should not be present.
Additional guideline notes & competition context
Beers in this style are made with at least 50 percent wheat malt. They are often roused during pouring, and, when yeast is present, will have a yeasty flavor and a fuller mouthfeel.
Technical specifications, including gravity
Original Gravity (°Plato) 1.028-1.044 (7.1-11 °Plato) • Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (°Plato) 1.004- 1.008 (1-2.1 °Plato) • Alcohol by Weight (Volume) 2.0%-2.8% (2.5%-3.5%) • Hop Bitterness (IBU) 10-15 • Color SRM (EBC) 3.5-15 (7-30 EBC)