Malt aroma & flavor
A malty sweet aroma and flavor may be present at low levels, along with adjunct flavors from corn, rice, wheat or other grains.
Other Origin Lager Styles
International-Style Pilsener
Lager · Straw to gold
What to expect
A malty sweet aroma and flavor may be present at low levels, along with adjunct flavors from corn, rice, wheat or other grains.
Reading guide · The complete guideline attributes below preserve the source’s qualifications.Color · SRM
3–6
Pale / strawBlack
Straw to gold · Illustrative colors on the shared, uneven SRM scale.
Explore styles overlapping this color rangeAlcohol · ABV
4.6–5.3%
Reference scale, not a limit on official guideline values.
Bitterness · IBU
15–40
Measured bitterness; perceived bitterness is described in the guideline below.
Brewers Association 2026 · Printed guideline page 45 · PDF page 54. 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
Perceived bitterness
Low to medium
Body & mouthfeel
Low to medium
Clarity
Appearance should be clear. Chill haze should not be present
Color
Straw to gold
Fermentation characteristics
Very low levels of DMS aroma and flavor are acceptable. Fruity esters, acetaldehyde, and diacetyl should not be present.
Additional guideline notes & competition context
These beers are often brewed with rice, corn, wheat, or other grains. Sugar adjuncts may also be used.
Technical specifications, including gravity
Original Gravity (°Plato) 1.040-1.052 (10-12.9 °Plato) • Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (°Plato) 1.008- 1.014 (2.1-3.6 °Plato) • Alcohol by Weight (Volume) 3.6%-4.2% (4.6%-5.3%) • Hop Bitterness (IBU) 15-40 • Color SRM (EBC) 3-6 (6-12 EBC)