Leichtbier Foundry

5A. German Leichtbier
Overall Impression: A pale, highly-attenuated, light-bodied
German lager with lower alcohol and calories than normalstrength beers. Moderately bitter with noticeable malt and hop
flavors, the beer is still interesting to drink.
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.
Appearance: Straw to pale gold in color. Brilliant clarity.
Moderate white head with average to below average
persistence.
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.
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 in the Mixed-Style Beer
category.
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.
Characteristic Ingredients: Similar to a German Pils or
Helles, continental Pils malt, German lager yeast, Saazer-type
hops.
Style Comparison: Like a lower-alcohol, lighter-bodied,
slightly less aggressive German Pils or Helles.
Vital Statistics: OG: 1.026 – 1.034
IBUs: 15 – 28 FG: 1.006 – 1.010
SRM: 2 – 5 ABV: 2.4 – 3.6%
Commercial Examples: Beck’s Light, Bitburger Light,
Mahr’s Leicht, Paulaner Münchner Hell Leicht, Paulaner
Premium Leicht
Tags: session-strength, pale-color, bottom-fermented, lagered,
central-europe, traditional-style, pale-lager-family, bitter,
hoppy