Pale Bitter European Beer - German Leichtbier - Beer Recipes | Brewer's Friend
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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 2287
German Lite
5.5 gal 3.2% 12.77 1.032 1.008
Partial Mash 2086
Kölsch
25 L 4.98% 24.58 1.049 1.011
All Grain 1851
Session Oat IPA
5.5 gal 4.23% 39.15 1.042 1.009
All Grain 1780
Spiced Pumpkin Ale
6 gal 4.78% 32.04 1.048 1.012
All Grain 1751
Rising sun
3.5 gal 3.37% 12.49 1.033 1.008
BIAB 1714
Dortmunder
8 gal 4.66% 24.86 1.048 1.012
All Grain 1602
Gold Bear Kölsch
5.5 gal 4.96% 32.53 1.049 1.011
BIAB 1585
Batch #24
25 L 5.28% 81.05 1.053 1.013
BIAB 1416
Leichtbier
5.5 gal 3.56% 24.04 1.034 1.007
All Grain 1145

Newest German Leichtbier Recipes

Title Size ABV IBU OG FG Color Method Views
Rot-Weiss
45 L 4.98% 26.71 1.049 1.011
All Grain 31
Treble Sauce
21 L 4.46% 30.48 1.044 1.010
All Grain 44
Pils Licht
5.5 gal 4.33% 18.98 1.040 1.007
BIAB 53
Love Pale Ale
13 L 5.74% 44.15 1.053 1.010
All Grain 48
test
20 L 4.24% 33.43 1.042 1.009
All Grain 62
Docho's Birthday Festbier
5.2 gal 5.97% 25.01 1.051 1.005
All Grain 69
PALE ALE
19 L 5.69% 31.42 1.058 1.014
BIAB 91
Kolsch Ronan
20.8 L 4.06% 44.56 1.038 1.007
BIAB 72
Leftover Leichtbier BATCH 85 11SEP2024
14 L 3.32% 16.12 1.030 1.005
All Grain 124
Lutra Blonde (SMASH Vienna/Triple Pearl)
44 L 3.96% 29.41 1.035 1.005
All Grain 111

Fermentables Used In German Leichtbier Recipes (View More)

Name Recipes Country Category Type Color PPG Avg. Usage Usage Range
German - Pilsner 47 German Grain base malt 1.6°L
38 77% 26% - 100%
German - Acidulated Malt 24 German Grain acidulated malt 3.4°L
27 3% 1% - 9%
Munich - Light 10L 24 Grain specialty malt 10°L
33 20% 4% - 100%
American - Pilsner 23 American Grain base malt 1.8°L
37 84% 37% - 100%
US - Pale 2-Row 18 US Grain base malt 1.8°L
37 75% 17% - 100%
German - Vienna 15 German Grain base malt 4°L
37 19% 2% - 83%
German - Carapils 15 German Grain crystal malt 1.3°L
35 8% 0% - 19%
American - Vienna 14 American Grain base malt 4°L
35 18% 5% - 33%
Flaked Oats 13 Adjunct raw 2.2°L
33 14% 2% - 100%
American - Victory 13 American Grain roasted malt 28°L
34 7% 2% - 17%

Hops Used In German Leichtbier Recipes (View More)

Name Recipes Average AA Avg. Usage Usage Range
Hallertau Mittelfruh 42 3.75 46% 16% - 100%
Magnum 30 15 33% 9% - 100%
Saaz 27 3.5 37% 13% - 80%
Tettnanger 22 4.5 39% 10% - 90%
Cascade 15 7 39% 3% - 100%
Citra 14 11 22% 5% - 100%
Perle 13 8.2 30% 9% - 50%
Styrian Goldings 12 5.5 41% 7% - 100%
Centennial 11 10 21% 3% - 100%
Hallertau Hersbrucker 11 4 52% 10% - 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 25 Fermentis / Safale Lagers .105 High 83% 48°F 72°F
Fermentis - Safale - American Ale Yeast US-05 17 Fermentis / Safale Ales Low Medium 81% 54°F 77°F
Lallemand - LalBrew Diamond Lager 14 Danstar Lagers High High 80% 50°F 59°F
White Labs - German Ale/ Kölsch Yeast WLP029 13 White Labs Ale Medium Medium 75% 65°F 69°F
Fermentis - Safale - German Ale Yeast K-97 11 Fermentis / Safale Ale .104 High 81% 54°F 77°F
Fermentis - Safale - English Ale Yeast S-04 9 Fermentis / Safale Ale .0975 High 75% 54°F 77°F
Fermentis - Saflager - German Lager Yeast S-23 8 Fermentis / Safale Lagers .105 High 82% 48°F 72°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
Danstar - Nottingham Ale Yeast 5 Danstar Ale Med-High High 77% 57°F 70°F

Other Ingredients Used In German Leichtbier Recipes (View More)

Name Recipes Type Use Avg. Usage Usage Range
Gypsum 51 Water Agt Mash 24% 0% - 100%
Calcium Chloride (dihydrate) 30 Water Agt Mash 23% 0% - 78%
Lactic acid 24 Water Agt Mash 69% 0% - 100%
Whirlfloc 17 Water Agt Boil 43% 0% - 100%
Brewtan B 16 Other Mash 6% 0% - 20%
Calcium Chloride (anhydrous) 15 Water Agt Mash 29% 0% - 73%
Epsom Salt 11 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%

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