BJCP 1A · Standard American Beer
American Light Lager
A very pale, very light-bodied, low-alcohol lager meant to be served ice-cold and drunk in quantity. Neutral flavor, barely bitter and highly carbonated.
American Light Lager by the numbers
- Alcohol (ABV)
- 2.8 – 4.2%on a scale of 2.0 to 14.0
- Bitterness
- 8 – 12 IBUon a scale of 0 to 100
- Color
- 2 – 3 SRM4–6 EBCon a scale of 1 to 40
- Original gravity
- 1.028 – 1.040on a scale of 1.026 to 1.130
- Final gravity
- 0.998 – 1.008on a scale of 0.990 to 1.040
What American Light Lager is like
A very light, dry, fizzy lager with fewer calories and less alcohol than a regular lager. The flavor is subdued, almost neutral, and its whole point is to refresh without wearing you out.
Appearance
Very pale straw, bright and clear. White head that forms easily but doesn't last.
Aroma
Very soft: a little grainy or sweet grain character and, at most, a touch of floral or spicy hops. A light note of lager yeast or sulfur may come through.
Flavor
Very faint grain, sometimes with a hint of corn, and low bitterness. The finish is dry and quick, with no sweetness or lingering aftertaste. No fruitiness and no diacetyl.
Mouthfeel
Very light, even watery body and very high carbonation that adds crispness. No alcohol warmth.
Where American Light Lager comes from
It was born in the United States in the 1970s, when the big breweries went after a low-calorie beer for diet-conscious drinkers. Light versions went on to become the best-selling beers in the country.
Ingredients
Two-row or six-row pale malt with a high proportion of rice or corn to lighten the body, and sometimes enzymes that turn more of the sugars into fermentables. Very few hops and a clean lager yeast.
Brew it yourself
How to brew American Light Lager at home
It's hard to brew well at home because there's nowhere to hide flaws. Mash at about 63-64 °C (145-147 °F) for a highly fermentable wort, use rice or flaked corn, ferment at 9-11 °C (48-52 °F) with a generous pitch of yeast and lager cold for several weeks. Carbonate high, around 2.6-2.8 volumes; the typical mistake is esters or diacetyl from fermenting too warm.
Food pairing
Goes well with spicy wings, nachos or lightly fried fish.
Glassware: pilsner glass, tall and slender, to show off the color and the bubbles.
Classic examples
- Bud Light
- Coors Light
- Miller Lite
Frequently asked questions
How strong is American Light Lager?
Between 2.8% and 4.2% ABV, according to the BJCP 2021 Style Guidelines. That is a low strength.
How bitter is American Light Lager?
It has 8 to 12 IBUs, a very low bitterness. For reference, a mass-market lager is around 10 IBUs.
What color is American Light Lager?
Straw: 2 to 3 SRM (4 to 6 EBC).
What food pairs well with American Light Lager?
Goes well with spicy wings, nachos or lightly fried fish.
Which styles are similar?
If you like it, also try American Lager, German Leichtbier and International Pale Lager.
If you like American Light Lager, try these
Classification and statistics: official American Light Lager guidelines from the BJCP, 2021 edition. Original text by Hacer Cerveza Casera.