Malt aroma & flavor
Low to medium-low pale malt sweetness and aroma may be present. May have adjunct flavors from corn and/or rice.
North American Origin Lager Styles
Mexican-Style Light Lager
Lager · Straw to pale gold
What to expect
Low to medium-low pale malt sweetness and aroma may be present.
Reading guide · The complete guideline attributes below preserve the source’s qualifications.Color · SRM
2–3
Pale / strawBlack
Straw to pale gold · Illustrative colors on the shared, uneven SRM scale.
Explore styles overlapping this color rangeAlcohol · ABV
3.2–4.2%
Reference scale, not a limit on official guideline values.
Bitterness · IBU
8–17
Measured bitterness; perceived bitterness is described in the guideline below.
Brewers Association 2026 · Printed guideline page 43 · PDF page 52. 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 with attributes typical of noble-type hops
Perceived bitterness
Very low to low
Body & mouthfeel
Very low to low body with dry finish
Clarity
Appearance should be clear. Chill haze should not be present.
Color
Straw to pale gold
Fermentation characteristics
Clean fermentation profile; low fruity esters may be present; sulfur may be present in very low levels. Diacetyl should not be present.
Additional guideline notes & competition context
Pale lagers often made with 2-row pilsener malt may contain corn and/or rice to lighten body. Medium to medium-high carbonation and low final gravity produce a light-bodied beer that finishes dry.
Technical specifications, including gravity
Original Gravity (°Plato) 1.026-1.044 (6.5-11.0 °Plato) • Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (°Plato) 1.003-1.010 (.77-2.5 °Plato) • Alcohol by Weight (Volume) 2.5%-3.4% (3.2%-4.2%) • Hop Bitterness (IBU) 8-17 • Color SRM (EBC) 2-3 (4-6 EBC)