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 2500
German Lite
5.5 gal 3.2% 12.77 1.032 1.008
Partial Mash 2285
Session Oat IPA
5.5 gal 4.23% 39.15 1.042 1.009
All Grain 2039
Kölsch
25 L 4.98% 24.58 1.049 1.011
All Grain 2027
Rising sun
3.5 gal 3.37% 12.49 1.033 1.008
BIAB 2002
Spiced Pumpkin Ale
6 gal 4.78% 32.04 1.048 1.012
All Grain 1919
Dortmunder
8 gal 4.66% 24.86 1.048 1.012
All Grain 1919
Gold Bear Kölsch
5.5 gal 4.96% 32.53 1.049 1.011
BIAB 1808
Batch #24
25 L 5.28% 81.05 1.053 1.013
BIAB 1552
Leichtbier
5.5 gal 3.56% 24.04 1.034 1.007
All Grain 1426

Newest German Leichtbier Recipes

Title Size ABV IBU OG FG Color Method Views
German Leichtbier
1 gal 4.46% 16.13 1.040 1.006
BIAB 27
Low ABV Ale
1 gal 2.96% 13.11 1.030 1.008
Partial Mash 84
Awesome Recipe
5.5 gal 5.28% 66.77 1.054 1.013
BIAB 68
Voss Kveik Low abv 1
55 L 3.86% 27.97 1.037 1.007
All Grain 40
English Pale Ale
5.5 gal 4.44% 20.99 1.045 1.011
All Grain 71
Leicht and subscribe
5 gal 2.9% 18.41 1.029 1.007
All Grain 86
Kölsch
5.5 gal 5.38% 0 1.053 1.012
BIAB 105
Old Ale
20.8 L 4.99% 0 1.050 1.012
All Grain 136
Best Maibock
5 gal 6.65% 26.06 1.066 1.016
BIAB 97
Small German
42 L 3.21% 33.38 1.029 1.004
All Grain 201

Fermentables Used In German Leichtbier Recipes (View More)

Name Recipes Country Category Type Color PPG Avg. Usage Usage Range
German - Pilsner 49 German Grain base malt 1.6°L
38 77% 26% - 100%
Munich - Light 10L 25 Grain specialty malt 10°L
33 20% 4% - 100%
German - Acidulated Malt 24 German Grain acidulated malt 3.4°L
27 3% 1% - 9%
American - Pilsner 24 American Grain base malt 1.8°L
37 85% 37% - 100%
US - Pale 2-Row 19 US Grain base malt 1.8°L
37 72% 17% - 100%
German - Carapils 16 German Grain crystal malt 1.3°L
35 9% 0% - 19%
American - Vienna 16 American Grain base malt 4°L
35 18% 5% - 33%
German - Vienna 15 German Grain base malt 4°L
37 19% 2% - 83%
Bestmalz - BEST Pilsen 14 German Grain base malt 1.9°L
37 75% 14% - 100%
Flaked Oats 13 Adjunct raw 2.2°L
33 14% 2% - 100%

Hops Used In German Leichtbier Recipes (View More)

Name Recipes Average AA Avg. Usage Usage Range
Hallertau Mittelfruh 43 3.75 47% 16% - 100%
Magnum 32 15 32% 9% - 100%
Saaz 29 3.5 37% 13% - 80%
Tettnanger 24 4.5 39% 10% - 90%
Cascade 15 7 39% 3% - 100%
Perle 14 8.2 32% 9% - 50%
Citra 14 11 22% 5% - 100%
Centennial 12 10 24% 3% - 100%
Hallertau Tradition (Germany) 12 5 49% 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 29 Fermentis / Safale Lagers .105 High 83% 48°F 72°F
Fermentis - Safale - American Ale Yeast US-05 19 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 - 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
Fermentis - Saflager - German Lager Yeast S-23 8 Fermentis / Safale Lagers .105 High 82% 48°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 55 Water Agt Mash 23% 0% - 100%
Calcium Chloride (dihydrate) 33 Water Agt Mash 25% 0% - 78%
Lactic acid 27 Water Agt Mash 72% 0% - 100%
Whirlfloc 18 Water Agt Boil 43% 0% - 100%
Brewtan B 18 Water Agt Mash 7% 0% - 25%
Calcium Chloride (anhydrous) 16 Water Agt Mash 28% 0% - 73%
Epsom Salt 11 Water Agt Mash 8% 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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