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
05A1. German Leichtbier	5.5 gal	3.18%	20.11	1.034	1.009		All Grain	3771
SchuBrew Leichtbier	5 gal	3.58%	18.47	1.033	1.006		BIAB	2186
German Lite	5.5 gal	3.2%	12.77	1.032	1.008		Partial Mash	1913
Kölsch	25 L	4.98%	24.58	1.049	1.011		All Grain	1788
Session Oat IPA	5.5 gal	4.23%	39.15	1.042	1.009		All Grain	1713
Spiced Pumpkin Ale	6 gal	4.78%	32.04	1.048	1.012		All Grain	1675
Rising sun	3.5 gal	3.37%	12.49	1.033	1.008		BIAB	1548
Gold Bear Kölsch	5.5 gal	4.96%	32.53	1.049	1.011		BIAB	1500
Dortmunder	8 gal	4.66%	24.86	1.048	1.012		All Grain	1447
Batch #24	25 L	5.28%	81.05	1.053	1.013		BIAB	1351

Newest German Leichtbier Recipes

Title	Size	ABV	IBU	OG	FG	Color	Method	Views
Calypso 8	43 L	3.43%	60.7	1.032	1.006		All Grain	26
OSH	25 L	4%	31.65	1.039	1.009		All Grain	39
Little Guy	3 gal	3.55%	24.72	1.033	1.006		BIAB	57
Pils FMBP Leichtbier	5 gal	4.17%	21.17	1.041	1.009		BIAB	61
West Coast Pilsner	4 gal	5.95%	46.74	1.058	1.013		BIAB	91
Awesome Recipe	2.5 gal	7.58%	0	1.077	1.019		extract	54
FAKC Kölsch	40.8 L	4.79%	28.22	1.048	1.012		All Grain	77
Eazy Duz It	5.5 gal	4.45%	23.09	1.041	1.007		All Grain	102
Ddd	5.5 gal	0.99%	0	1.010	1.003		extract	71
Kölsch Frühlingszeit im Baselbiet	19 L	5.56%	27.43	1.056	1.014		All Grain	132

Fermentables Used In German Leichtbier Recipes (View More)

Name	Recipes	Country	Category	Type	Color	PPG	Avg. Usage	Usage Range
German - Pilsner	44	German	Grain	base malt	1.6°L	38	77%	26% - 100%
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%
German - Acidulated Malt	22	German	Grain	acidulated malt	3.4°L	27	3%	1% - 9%
US - Pale 2-Row	17	US	Grain	base malt	1.8°L	37	73%	17% - 100%
German - Vienna	16	German	Grain	base malt	4°L	37	18%	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%
Bestmalz - BEST Pilsen	13	German	Grain	base malt	1.9°L	37	75%	14% - 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	43	3.75	44%	13% - 100%
Magnum	26	15	30%	9% - 100%
Saaz	26	3.5	37%	13% - 80%
Tettnanger	23	4.5	39%	10% - 90%
Perle	13	8.2	30%	9% - 50%
Cascade	13	7	41%	3% - 100%
Hallertau Hersbrucker	13	4	53%	10% - 100%
Citra	13	11	22%	5% - 100%
Styrian Goldings	12	5.5	41%	7% - 100%
Centennial	11	10	21%	3% - 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	16	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	10	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	6	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	45	Water Agt	Mash	27%	0% - 100%
Calcium Chloride (dihydrate)	28	Water Agt	Mash	21%	0% - 78%
Lactic acid	21	Water Agt	Mash	77%	0% - 100%
Brewtan B	15	Other	Mash	6%	0% - 18%
Whirlfloc	15	Water Agt	Boil	49%	0% - 100%
Calcium Chloride (anhydrous)	12	Water Agt	Mash	33%	0% - 73%
Epsom Salt	11	Water Agt	Mash	8%	0% - 36%
Irish Moss	7	Fining	Mash	64%	33% - 100%
Table Salt	6	Water Agt	Mash	20%	0% - 100%
Calcium Chloride (dihydrate)	5	Water Agt	Mash	21%	0% - 50%

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