BJCP 1B · Standard American Beer
American Lager
A pale, clean, very drinkable lager with little bitterness and a soft grainy flavor. It's the classic American mass-market beer.
American Lager by the numbers
- Alcohol (ABV)
- 4.2 – 5.3%on a scale of 2.0 to 14.0
- Bitterness
- 8 – 18 IBUon a scale of 0 to 100
- Color
- 2 – 4 SRM4–7 EBCon a scale of 1 to 40
- Original gravity
- 1.040 – 1.050on a scale of 1.026 to 1.130
- Final gravity
- 1.004 – 1.010on a scale of 0.990 to 1.040
What American Lager is like
A highly carbonated pale lager with a neutral flavor and a dry finish, built to refresh. It has a bit more body and alcohol than American Light Lager, but it stays restrained in malt and hops.
Appearance
Straw to pale gold, very clean and bright. White head that usually doesn't last long.
Aroma
Soft grain or sweet grain, sometimes with corn notes, and low to no floral or spicy hops. A touch of sulfur from the yeast is acceptable.
Flavor
Neutral malt with a hint of grainy sweetness, low to medium-low bitterness and a dry, clean finish. It shouldn't have any fruitiness, diacetyl or astringency.
Mouthfeel
Light to medium-light body and high carbonation. No warmth.
Where American Lager comes from
German immigrants created it in the United States in the late 19th century, adapting pilsner to the local six-row barley by adding corn and rice. After Prohibition and World War II it became steadily lighter and more uniform.
Ingredients
Two-row or six-row malt with up to 40% rice or corn. Hops play a small role, often neutral American varieties, with a clean lager yeast. Soft to moderate water.
Brew it yourself
How to brew American Lager at home
Use rice or flaked corn and mash at 64-65 °C (147-149 °F) for a dry finish. Ferment at 9-12 °C (48-54 °F), do a diacetyl rest by raising it to 16-18 °C (61-64 °F) at the end and lager cold for at least three or four weeks. Carbonate to about 2.6 volumes; the typical mistake is sloppy cleaning and sanitizing, which shows right away in this style.
Food pairing
Pairs well with burgers, hot dogs or tacos.
Glassware: pilsner glass, tall and slender, to show off the color and the bubbles.
Classic examples
- Budweiser
- Miller High Life
- Pabst Blue Ribbon
Frequently asked questions
How strong is American Lager?
Between 4.2% and 5.3% ABV, according to the BJCP 2021 Style Guidelines. That is a moderate strength.
How bitter is American Lager?
It has 8 to 18 IBUs, a very low bitterness. For reference, a mass-market lager is around 10 IBUs.
What color is American Lager?
Straw to yellow: 2 to 4 SRM (4 to 7 EBC).
What food pairs well with American Lager?
Pairs well with burgers, hot dogs or tacos.
Which styles are similar?
If you like it, also try American Light Lager, International Pale Lager and Cream Ale.
If you like American Lager, try these
Classification and statistics: official American Lager guidelines from the BJCP, 2021 edition. Original text by Hacer Cerveza Casera.