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
05A1. German Leichtbier
5.5 gal 3.18% 20.11 1.034 1.009
All Grain 3635
SchuBrew Leichtbier
5 gal 3.58% 18.47 1.033 1.006
BIAB 2079
German Lite
5.5 gal 3.2% 12.77 1.032 1.008
Partial Mash 1824
Kölsch
25 L 4.98% 24.58 1.049 1.011
All Grain 1717
Session Oat IPA
5.5 gal 4.23% 39.15 1.042 1.009
All Grain 1633
Spiced Pumpkin Ale
6 gal 4.78% 32.04 1.048 1.012
All Grain 1580
Rising sun
3.5 gal 3.37% 12.49 1.033 1.008
BIAB 1448
Gold Bear Kölsch
5.5 gal 4.96% 32.53 1.049 1.011
BIAB 1414
Dortmunder
8 gal 4.66% 24.86 1.048 1.012
All Grain 1291
Batch #24
25 L 5.28% 81.05 1.053 1.013
BIAB 1284

Newest German Leichtbier Recipes

Title Size ABV IBU OG FG Color Method Views
American Leichtbier (64% American Pilsner)
2.75 gal 3.4% 23.36 1.030 1.004
BIAB 24
Gluten free tester
5 gal 5% 20.37 1.044 1.005
All Grain 58
Awesome Recipe
5 gal 2.86% 19.95 1.029 1.007
All Grain 36
Awesome Recipe
5 gal 2.86% 0 1.029 1.007
All Grain 47
Leichtbier
14 gal 3.11% 22.89 1.032 1.008
All Grain 102
Bongo Crude
10 gal 7.38% 30.4 1.069 1.013
All Grain 79
German Leichtbier
2 gal 3.53% 23.49 1.032 1.006
All Grain 98
Admiral
25 L 3.93% 46.75 1.040 1.010
extract 92
Viking Zero Pils
10.5 gal 4.22% 16.52 1.042 1.009
BIAB 71
German Leichtbier 361
11 gal 4.03% 25.55 1.036 1.006
BIAB 132

Fermentables Used In German Leichtbier Recipes (View More)

Name Recipes Country Category Type Color PPG Avg. Usage Usage Range
German - Pilsner 43 German Grain base malt 1.6°L
38 77% 26% - 100%
Munich - Light 10L 24 Grain specialty malt 10°L
33 20% 4% - 100%
German - Acidulated Malt 21 German Grain acidulated malt 3.4°L
27 3% 1% - 9%
American - Pilsner 21 American Grain base malt 1.8°L
37 84% 37% - 100%
US - Pale 2-Row 17 US Grain base malt 1.8°L
37 73% 17% - 100%
German - Carapils 15 German Grain crystal malt 1.3°L
35 8% 0% - 19%
German - Vienna 14 German Grain base malt 4°L
37 14% 2% - 40%
American - Vienna 13 American Grain base malt 4°L
35 19% 5% - 33%
Bestmalz - BEST Pilsen 13 German Grain base malt 1.9°L
37 75% 14% - 100%
American - Victory 12 American Grain roasted malt 28°L
34 8% 2% - 17%

Hops Used In German Leichtbier Recipes (View More)

Name Recipes Average AA Avg. Usage Usage Range
Hallertau Mittelfruh 41 3.75 47% 16% - 100%
Magnum 25 15 30% 9% - 100%
Saaz 25 3.5 36% 13% - 80%
Tettnanger 22 4.5 38% 10% - 90%
Perle 13 8.2 30% 9% - 50%
Cascade 12 7 45% 3% - 100%
Hallertau Hersbrucker 12 4 55% 10% - 100%
Citra 12 11 23% 5% - 100%
Styrian Goldings 12 5.5 41% 7% - 100%
East Kent Goldings 11 5 36% 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 22 Fermentis / Safale Lagers .105 High 83% 48°F 72°F
Fermentis - Safale - American Ale Yeast US-05 15 Fermentis / Safale Ales Low Medium 81% 54°F 77°F
White Labs - German Ale/ Kölsch Yeast WLP029 13 White Labs Ale Medium Medium 75% 65°F 69°F
Lallemand - LalBrew Diamond Lager 11 Lallemand Lagers Low High 80% 50°F 59°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 44 Water Agt Mash 26% 0% - 100%
Calcium Chloride (dihydrate) 26 Water Agt Mash 21% 0% - 78%
Lactic acid 20 Water Agt Mash 76% 0% - 100%
Brewtan B 14 Other Mash 5% 0% - 18%
Whirlfloc 14 Fining Boil 45% 0% - 100%
Calcium Chloride (anhydrous) 12 Water Agt Mash 33% 0% - 73%
Epsom Salt 10 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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