Pale Bitter European Beer - German Leichtbier

A pale, highly-attenuated, light-bodied German lager with lower alcohol and calories than normal-strength beers. Moderately bitter with noticeable malt and hop flavors, the beer is still interesting to drink.

Flavor Profile: 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.

Ingredients: Similar to a German Pils or Helles, continental Pils malt, German lager yeast, Saazer-type hops.

BJCP Style Guide

Top 10 German Leichtbier Recipes

Title	Size	ABV	IBU	OG	FG	Color	Method	Views
SchuBrew Leichtbier	5 gal	3.58%	18.47	1.033	1.006		BIAB	2732
German Lite	5.5 gal	3.2%	12.77	1.032	1.008		Partial Mash	2624
Session Oat IPA	5.5 gal	4.23%	39.15	1.042	1.009		All Grain	2250
Rising sun	3.5 gal	3.37%	12.49	1.033	1.008		BIAB	2213
Kölsch	25 L	4.98%	24.58	1.049	1.011		All Grain	2180
Dortmunder	8 gal	4.66%	24.86	1.048	1.012		All Grain	2110
Spiced Pumpkin Ale	6 gal	4.78%	32.04	1.048	1.012		All Grain	2077
Gold Bear Kölsch	5.5 gal	4.96%	32.53	1.049	1.011		BIAB	1948
Batch #24	25 L	5.28%	81.05	1.053	1.013		BIAB	1702
Leichtbier	5.5 gal	3.56%	24.04	1.034	1.007		All Grain	1668

Newest German Leichtbier Recipes

Title	Size	ABV	IBU	OG	FG	Color	Method	Views
Hoppy Daze	20.8 L	4.35%	30.16	1.044	1.011		All Grain	37
Kolsch RodBeer	20 L	5.35%	26.23	1.049	1.008		All Grain	56
German Leichtbier 2	3 gal	3.24%	20.53	1.033	1.008		BIAB	56
German Leichtbier	3 gal	3.6%	18.04	1.034	1.006		BIAB	98
Street	16 L	4.21%	32.01	1.042	1.010		All Grain	78
Level Devil Game	5.5 gal	15%	0.63	1.184	1.070		extract	99
*2g Mr. Beer - Workout Pils (CZ)	2.25 gal	3.09%	0	1.029	1.006		extract	91
Low ABV all extract expt	1 gal	2.22%	0	1.023	1.006		extract	118
Awesome Recipe	300 L	5.67%	17.28	1.054	1.011		All Grain	147
Swift Wolf	6 gal	3.7%	15.77	1.034	1.006		All Grain	311

Fermentables Used In German Leichtbier Recipes (View More)

Name	Recipes	Country	Category	Type	Color	PPG	Avg. Usage	Usage Range
German - Pilsner	50	German	Grain	base malt	1.6°L	38	76%	26% - 100%
American - Pilsner	27	American	Grain	base malt	1.8°L	37	84%	37% - 100%
Munich - Light 10L	26		Grain	specialty malt	10°L	33	20%	4% - 100%
German - Acidulated Malt	26	German	Grain	acidulated malt	3.4°L	27	3%	1% - 9%
US - Pale 2-Row	19	US	Grain	base malt	1.8°L	37	72%	17% - 100%
American - Vienna	16	American	Grain	base malt	4°L	35	17%	4% - 33%
German - Carapils	16	German	Grain	crystal malt	1.3°L	35	9%	0% - 19%
German - Vienna	16	German	Grain	base malt	4°L	37	18%	2% - 83%
Flaked Oats	14		Adjunct	raw	2.2°L	33	13%	2% - 100%
American - Carapils (Dextrine Malt)	14	American	Grain	crystal malt	1.8°L	33	5%	2% - 9%

Hops Used In German Leichtbier Recipes (View More)

Name	Recipes	Average AA	Avg. Usage	Usage Range
Hallertau Mittelfruh	46	3.75	47%	13% - 100%
Magnum	32	15	32%	9% - 100%
Saaz	30	3.5	38%	13% - 80%
Tettnanger	24	4.5	39%	10% - 90%
Cascade	15	7	39%	3% - 100%
Perle	15	8.2	35%	9% - 100%
Citra	14	11	22%	5% - 100%
Centennial	12	10	24%	3% - 100%
Styrian Goldings	12	5.5	41%	7% - 100%
East Kent Goldings	12	5	35%	16% - 100%

Steeping Grains Used In German Leichtbier Recipes (View More)

Name	Recipes	Country	Category	Type	Color	PPG	Avg. Usage	Usage Range

Yeasts Used In German Leichtbier Recipes (View More)

Name	Recipes	Laboratory	Type	Alcohol Tolerance	Flocculation	Attenuation	Min. Temp	Max. Temp
Fermentis - Saflager - German Lager Yeast W-34/70	30	Fermentis / Safale	Lagers	.105	High	83%	48°F	72°F
Fermentis - Safale - American Ale Yeast US-05	21	Fermentis / Safale	Ales	Low	Medium	81%	54°F	77°F
White Labs - German Ale/ Kölsch Yeast WLP029	14	White Labs	Ale	Medium	Medium	75%	65°F	69°F
Lallemand - LalBrew Diamond Lager	14	Danstar	Lagers	High	High	80%	50°F	59°F
Fermentis - Safale - German Ale Yeast K-97	12	Fermentis / Safale	Ale	.104	High	81%	54°F	77°F
Fermentis - Saflager - German Lager Yeast S-23	9	Fermentis / Safale	Lagers	.105	High	82%	48°F	72°F
Fermentis - Safale - English Ale Yeast S-04	9	Fermentis / Safale	Ale	.0975	High	75%	54°F	77°F
Lallemand - LALBREW® KÖLN KÖLSCH KOLSCH STYLE ALE YEAST	7	Lallemand	Ales	Medium	Medium	75%	59°F	72°F
Wyeast - German Ale 1007	6	Wyeast	Ale	0.11	Low	75%	55°F	68°F
Lallemand - LalBrew NovaLager™	5	Lallemand	Lagers	High	Medium	81%	50°F	68°F

Other Ingredients Used In German Leichtbier Recipes (View More)

Name	Recipes	Type	Use	Avg. Usage	Usage Range
Gypsum	59	Water Agt	Mash	24%	0% - 100%
Calcium Chloride (dihydrate)	36	Water Agt	Mash	24%	0% - 78%
Lactic acid	28	Water Agt	Mash	73%	0% - 100%
Brewtan B	18	Water Agt	Mash	7%	0% - 25%
Whirlfloc	17	Water Agt	Boil	43%	0% - 100%
Calcium Chloride (anhydrous)	16	Water Agt	Mash	31%	0% - 73%
Epsom Salt	14	Water Agt	Mash	8%	0% - 36%
Table Salt	7	Water Agt	Mash	17%	0% - 100%
Irish Moss	7	Fining	Boil	64%	33% - 100%
Wyeast - Beer Nutrient	5	Other	Primary	29%	12% - 40%

Photos