Malt aroma & flavor
Characterized by malty aroma and light malt sweetness, which should have a lightly toasted malt and/or caramel character.
European Origin Lager Styles
Vienna-Style Lager
Lager · Deep Gold to reddish-brown
What to expect
Characterized by malty aroma and light malt sweetness, which should have a lightly toasted malt and/or caramel character.
Reading guide · The complete guideline attributes below preserve the source’s qualifications.Color · SRM
6–18
Pale / strawBlack
Deep Gold to reddish-brown · 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
20–26
Measured bitterness; perceived bitterness is described in the guideline below.
Brewers Association 2026 · Printed guideline page 35 · PDF page 44. 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, derived from noble-type hops.
Perceived bitterness
Low to medium-low, clean, and crisp.
Body & mouthfeel
Low to medium low
Clarity
Appearance should be clear. Chill haze should not be present
Color
Deep Gold to reddish-brown
Fermentation characteristics
DMS, diacetyl, and fruity esters should not be present.
Technical specifications, including gravity
Original Gravity (°Plato) 1.046-1.056 (11.4-13.8 °Plato) • Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (°Plato) 1.008-1.018 (2.1-4.9 °Plato) • Alcohol by Weight (Volume) 3.8%-4.3% (4.8%-5.4%) • Hop Bitterness (IBU) 20-26 • Color SRM (EBC) 6-18 (12-36 EBC)