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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 2662
German Lite
5.5 gal 3.2% 12.77 1.032 1.008
Partial Mash 2429
Session Oat IPA
5.5 gal 4.23% 39.15 1.042 1.009
All Grain 2190
Rising sun
3.5 gal 3.37% 12.49 1.033 1.008
BIAB 2121
Kölsch
25 L 4.98% 24.58 1.049 1.011
All Grain 2115
Dortmunder
8 gal 4.66% 24.86 1.048 1.012
All Grain 2025
Spiced Pumpkin Ale
6 gal 4.78% 32.04 1.048 1.012
All Grain 2010
Gold Bear Kölsch
5.5 gal 4.96% 32.53 1.049 1.011
BIAB 1891
Batch #24
25 L 5.28% 81.05 1.053 1.013
BIAB 1643
Leichtbier
5.5 gal 3.56% 24.04 1.034 1.007
All Grain 1569

Newest German Leichtbier Recipes

Title Size ABV IBU OG FG Color Method Views
*2g Mr. Beer - Workout Pils (CZ)
2.25 gal 3.09% 0 1.029 1.006
extract 37
Low ABV all extract expt
1 gal 2.22% 0 1.023 1.006
extract 46
Awesome Recipe
300 L 5.67% 17.28 1.054 1.011
All Grain 61
Swift Wolf
6 gal 3.7% 15.77 1.034 1.006
All Grain 203
Ludwigii
217 gal 8.07% 0 1.082 1.020
All Grain 110
ahmatti pan0 #1
35 L 5.72% 37.87 1.056 1.012
extract 86
klinemiester
5.5 gal 5.34% 0 1.054 1.014
All Grain 88
German Leichtbier
1 gal 4.5% 16.13 1.040 1.006
BIAB 143
Low ABV Ale
1 gal 2.96% 13.11 1.030 1.008
Partial Mash 267
Awesome Recipe
5.5 gal 5.28% 66.77 1.054 1.013
BIAB 164

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%
Munich - Light 10L 27 Grain specialty malt 10°L
33 20% 4% - 100%
American - Pilsner 26 American Grain base malt 1.8°L
37 85% 37% - 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 18% 5% - 33%
German - Carapils 16 German Grain crystal malt 1.3°L
35 9% 0% - 19%
German - Vienna 15 German Grain base malt 4°L
37 19% 2% - 83%
Flaked Oats 14 Adjunct raw 2.2°L
33 13% 2% - 100%
American - Victory 14 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 45 3.75 47% 13% - 100%
Magnum 32 15 32% 9% - 100%
Saaz 30 3.5 38% 13% - 80%
Tettnanger 25 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%
Hallertau Tradition (Germany) 12 5 48% 21% - 100%
Styrian Goldings 12 5.5 41% 7% - 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 20 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 8 Lallemand Ales Medium Medium 75% 59°F 72°F
Lallemand - LalBrew NovaLager™ 6 Lallemand Lagers High Medium 81% 50°F 68°F
Wyeast - German Ale 1007 6 Wyeast Ale 0.11 Low 75% 55°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 23% 0% - 100%
Calcium Chloride (dihydrate) 35 Water Agt Mash 24% 0% - 78%
Lactic acid 28 Water Agt Mash 73% 0% - 100%
Whirlfloc 18 Water Agt Boil 43% 0% - 100%
Brewtan B 18 Water Agt Mash 7% 0% - 25%
Calcium Chloride (anhydrous) 17 Water Agt Mash 29% 0% - 73%
Epsom Salt 13 Water Agt Mash 7% 0% - 36%
Table Salt 7 Water Agt Mash 17% 0% - 100%
Irish Moss 7 Fining Mash 64% 33% - 100%
Wyeast - Beer Nutrient 5 Other Primary 29% 12% - 40%

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