Overall Impression
A pale, highly-attenuated, light-bodied German lager with lower alcohol and calories than standard-strength beers. Moderately bitter with noticeable malt and hop flavors, the beer is still interesting to drink.
Appearance
Pale straw to deep yellow in color. Brilliant clarity. Moderate white head with average to below average persistence.
Aroma
Low to medium hop aroma, with a spicy, herbal, or floral character. Low to medium-low grainy-sweet or slightly crackery malt aroma. Clean fermentation profile.
Flavor
Low to medium grainy-sweet malt flavor initially. Medium hop bitterness. Low to medium hop flavor, with a spicy, herbal, or floral quality. Clean fermentation character, well-lagered. Dry finish with a light malty and hoppy aftertaste.
Mouthfeel
Light to very light body. Medium to high carbonation. Smooth, well-attenuated.
History
Traditional versions existed as drinks for physical laborers in factories or fields, but modern versions are more based on popular American products in the same class and targeted towards health or fitness conscious consumers. Increasingly supplanted in the current market by non-alcoholic beers and radlers.
Characteristic Ingredients
Continental Pils malt. German lager yeast. Traditional German hops.
Style Comparison
Like a lower-alcohol, lighter-bodied, slightly less aggressive German Pils or Munich Helles. More bitter and flavorful than an American Light Lager.
Vital Statistics
IBU
15 - 28
SRM
1.5 - 4
OG
1.026 - 1.034
FG
1.006 - 1.010
ABV
2.4% - 3.6%
Commercial Examples
Autenrieder Schlossbräu Leicht, Greif Bräu Leicht, Hohenthanner Tannen Hell Leicht, Müllerbrau Heimer Leicht, Schönramer Surtaler Schankbier, Waldhaus Sommer Bier.Past Revision
German Leichtbier (2015)Style Attributes
bitter, bottom-fermented, central-europe, hoppy, lagered, pale-color, pale-lager-family, session-strength, traditional-style
Comments
Marketed primarily as a diet-oriented beer with lower carbohydrates, alcohol, and calories. Pronounced “LYESHT-beer.” May also be known as a Diat Pils or Helles, this style is in the schankbier gravity class. Other variations of Leicht class beers can be made from Weissbier, Kölsch, and Altbier; those beers are best entered as 34B Mixed-Style Beer.