BJCP 5A · Pale Bitter European Beer
German Leichtbier
A light, low-alcohol German lager with soft bready malt and noticeable noble hops. Refreshing and dry, with more flavor than a light beer.
German Leichtbier by the numbers
- Alcohol (ABV)
- 2.4 – 3.6%on a scale of 2.0 to 14.0
- Bitterness
- 15 – 28 IBUon a scale of 0 to 100
- Color
- 2 – 4 SRM3–8 EBCon a scale of 1 to 40
- Original gravity
- 1.026 – 1.034on a scale of 1.026 to 1.130
- Final gravity
- 1.006 – 1.010on a scale of 0.990 to 1.040
What German Leichtbier is like
A pale, very light lager, but with recognizable German character: some bready malt, floral noble hops and a bitterness that gives it structure. It has more flavor than an American Light Lager.
Appearance
Very pale straw to light gold, bright. White head with good retention.
Aroma
Soft bready or grainy malt and low to medium floral, herbal or spicy hops.
Flavor
Soft bready malt, medium to medium-high bitterness and a dry, clean finish with some hops. The body is light, but it shouldn't come across as watery.
Mouthfeel
Light body and medium to high carbonation. Very refreshing.
Where German Leichtbier comes from
It's the light version of German lagers, with less alcohol and fewer calories, which caught on in Germany as an alternative to regular beers. It's usually brewed as a light version of a German Pils or a Munich Helles.
Ingredients
German pilsner malt, sometimes with some Munich. German noble hops, soft to medium water and a clean German lager yeast.
Brew it yourself
How to brew German Leichtbier at home
With such a low gravity, it helps to mash a bit higher, around 66-67 °C (151-153 °F), so it doesn't taste empty, or to add a little Carapils. Ferment at 9-11 °C (48-52 °F) and lager cold for a few weeks; carbonate to 2.6-2.8 volumes. The typical mistake is a watery beer with no body.
Food pairing
Goes well with salads, white fish or mild cured sausages.
Glassware: pilsner glass, tall and slender, to show off the color and the bubbles.
Classic examples
- Bitburger Light
Frequently asked questions
How strong is German Leichtbier?
Between 2.4% and 3.6% ABV, according to the BJCP 2021 Style Guidelines. That is a low strength.
How bitter is German Leichtbier?
It has 15 to 28 IBUs, a low bitterness. For reference, a mass-market lager is around 10 IBUs.
What color is German Leichtbier?
Straw to yellow: 2 to 4 SRM (3 to 8 EBC).
What food pairs well with German Leichtbier?
Goes well with salads, white fish or mild cured sausages.
Which styles are similar?
If you like it, also try German Pils, American Light Lager and Czech Pale Lager.
If you like German Leichtbier, try these
Classification and statistics: official German Leichtbier guidelines from the BJCP, 2021 edition. Original text by Hacer Cerveza Casera.