Malt aroma & flavor
Distinct sweet maltiness and caramel or bread-like character arises from the use of medium-colored malts.
German Origin Ale Styles
South German-Style Bernsteinfarbenes Weizen
Ale · Amber to light brown. The German word ‘Bernsteinfarben’ means amber colored.
What to expect
Distinct sweet maltiness and caramel or bread-like character arises from the use of medium-colored malts.
Reading guide · The complete guideline attributes below preserve the source’s qualifications.Color · SRM
9–13
Pale / strawBlack
Amber to light brown. The German word ‘Bernsteinfarben’ means amber colored. · 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
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
Perceived bitterness
Low
Body & mouthfeel
Medium to full
Clarity
If served with yeast, appearance may be very cloudy.
Color
Amber to light brown. The German word ‘Bernsteinfarben’ means amber colored.
Fermentation characteristics
The phenolic and estery aromas and flavors typical of Weissbiers are present but less pronounced in Bernsteinfarbenes Weissbiers. These beers should be well attenuated and very highly carbonated. 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) 1.048-1.056 (11.9-13.8 °Plato) • Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (°Plato) 1.008-1.016 (2.1-4.1 °Plato) • Alcohol by Weight (Volume) 3.8%-4.3% (4.8%-5.4%) • Hop Bitterness (IBU) 10-15 • Color SRM (EBC) 9-13 (18-26 EBC)