Light Lager

from AHA internet for 1996

http://www.csn.net/aob/styles.html

14. German Light Lager

a) Muenchner-Style Helles

This beer has a relatively low bitterness. It is a medium-bodied malt-emphasized beer, however certain versions can approach a balance of hop character and maltiness. There should not be any caramel character. Color is light straw to golden. Fruity esters and diacetyl should not be perceived.

b) Dortmunder/European-Style Export

Both starting gravity and medium bitterness are somewhat higher than a Muenchner helles. Hop flavor and aroma are perceptible, but low. The color of this style may be slightly darker, and the body will be more full, but still medium-bodied. Fruity esters, chill haze and diacetyl should not be perceived.

15. Classic Pilsener

a) German Pilsener

A classic German Pilsener is very light straw/golden color and well hopped. Hop bitterness is high. Hop aroma and flavor are moderate and quite obvious. It is a well-attenuated and medium-bodied beer but a malty accent can be perceived. Fruity esters and diacetyl should not be perceived. There should be no chill haze. The head should be dense and rich.

b) Bohemian Pilsener

Pilseners in this subcategory are similar to German Pilseners, however they are slightly more full-bodied and can be as dark as light amber. This style balances moderate bitterness, and "noble-type" hop aroma and flavor with a malty, slightly sweet medium body. Diacetyl may be perceived in very low amounts. There should be no chill haze. The head should be dense and rich.

16. American Lager

a) American Lager

Very light in body and color, American lagers are very clean and crisp and aggressively carbonated. Malt sweetness is absent. Corn, rice or other grain or sugar adjuncts are often used. Hop aroma is absent. Hop bitterness is slight, and hop flavor is mild or negligible. Chill haze, fruity esters and diacetyl should be absent.

b) American-Style Light Lager

According to Food and Drug Administration regulations, when used in reference to caloric content, "light" beers must have at least 25 percent fewer calories than the "regular" version of that beer. These beers are extremely light colored, light in body and high in carbonation. Flavor is mild and bitterness is very low. Chill haze, fruity esters and diacetyl should be

absent.

c) American Lager/Ale or Cream Ale

This mild, pale, light-bodied ale is made using a warm fermentation (top or bottom) and cold lagering or by blending top- and bottom-fermented beers. Hop bitterness and flavor are very low. Hop aroma is often absent. Sometimes referred to as cream ales, these beers are crisp and refreshing. A fruity or estery aroma may be perceived. Diacetyl and chill haze should not be perceived.

d) American-Style Premium Lager

Similar to the American lager, this style is a more flavorful, medium-bodied beer and may contain few or no adjuncts. Color may be deeper than the American lager, and alcohol content and bitterness may be greater. Hop aroma and flavor are low or negligible. Chill haze, fruity esters and diacetyl should be absent.

e) Dry Lager

This straw-colored lager lacks sweetness and is reminiscent of an American-style light lager. However, its starting gravity and alcoholic strength are greater. Hop rates are low and carbonation is high. Chill haze, fruity esters and diacetyl should be absent.