Bjcp Beer Style Guide

Front 1

Describe Overall Characteristics of a

Lite American Lager

Back 1

A lower gravity and lower calorie beer than standard international lagers. Strong flavors are a fault. Designed to appeal to the broadest range of the general public as possible.

Front 2

Commercial Examples of a

Lite American Lager

Back 2

Bitburger Light, Sam Adams Light,
Heineken Premium Light, Miller Lite, Bud Light, Coors Light,
Baltika #1 Light, Old Milwaukee Light, Amstel Light

Front 3

Vital Statistics (IBU / SRM / ABV ) of a

Lite American Lager

Back 3

IBUs: 8 – 12
SRM: 2 – 3

ABV: 2.8% - 4.2%

Front 4

Color/Appearance of a

Lite American Lager

Back 4

Very pale straw to pale yellow color. White, frothy head seldom persists. Very clear.

Front 5

Flavor Profile of a

Lite American Lager

Back 5

Crisp and dry flavor with some low levels of grainy or corn-like sweetness. Hop flavor ranges from none to low levels. Hop bitterness at low level. Balance may vary from slightly malty to slightly bitter, but is relatively close to even. High levels of carbonation may provide a slight acidity or dry “sting.” No diacetyl. No fruitiness.

Front 6

Mouthfeel of a

Lite American Lager

Back 6

Very light body from use of a high percentage of adjuncts such as rice or corn. Very highly carbonated with slight carbonic bite on the tongue. May seem watery.

Front 7

Ingredients in a

Lite American Lager

Back 7

Two- or six-row barley with high percentage (up to 40%) of rice or corn as adjuncts.

Front 8

Aroma Profile of a

Lite American Lager

Back 8

Little to no malt aroma, although it can be grainy, sweet or corn-like if present. Hop aroma may range from none to a light, spicy or floral hop presence. Low levels of yeast character (green apples, DMS, or fruitiness) are optional but acceptable. No diacetyl.

Front 9

Describe the overall characteristics of a

Standard American Lager

Back 9

Very refreshing and thirst quenching.

Strong flavors are a fault. An international style
including the standard mass-market lager from most countries.

Front 10

Aroma of a

Standard American Lager

Back 10

Little to no malt aroma, although it can be grainy, sweet or corn-like if present. Hop aroma may range from none to a light, spicy or floral hop presence. Low levels of yeast character (green apples, DMS, or fruitiness) are optional but acceptable. No diacetyl.

Front 11

Color / Appearance of a

Standard American Lager

Back 11

Very pale straw to medium yellow color. White,
frothy head seldom persists. Very clear.

Front 12

Flavor profile of a

Standard American Lager

Back 12

Crisp and dry flavor with some low levels of grainy or corn-like sweetness. Hop flavor ranges from none to low levels. Hop bitterness at low to medium-low level. Balance may vary from slightly malty to slightly bitter, but is relatively close to even. High levels of carbonation may provide a slight acidity or dry “sting.” No diacetyl. No fruitiness.

Front 13

Mouthfeel of a

Standard American Lager

Back 13

Light body from use of a high percentage of adjuncts such as rice or corn. Very highly carbonated with slight carbonic bite on the tongue

Front 14

Ingredients of a

Standard American Lager

Back 14

Two- or six-row barley with high percentage (up to 40%) of rice or corn as adjuncts.

Front 15

Vital Statistics (IBUs / SRM / ABV) of a

Standard American Lager

Back 15

IBUs: 8 – 15

SRM: 2 – 4

ABV: 4.2 – 5.3%

Front 16

Commercial Examples of a

Standard American Lager

Back 16

Pabst Blue Ribbon, Miller High Life,
Budweiser, Baltika #3 Classic, Kirin Lager, Grain Belt Premium Lager, Molson Golden, Labatt Blue, Coors Original, Foster’s Lager

Front 17

Describe the overall characteristics of a

Premium American Lager

Back 17

Refreshing and thirst quenching, although generally more filling than standard/lite versions.

Premium beers tend to have fewer adjuncts than standard/lite lagers, and can be all-malt. Strong flavors are a fault, but premium lagers have more flavor than standard/lite lagers. A broad category of international mass-market lagers ranging from up-scale American lagers to the typical “import” or “green bottle” international beers found in America.

Front 18

Commercial Examples of a

Premium American Lager

Back 18

Full Sail Session Premium Lager, Miller
Genuine Draft, Corona Extra, Michelob, Coors Extra Gold, Birra Moretti, Heineken, Beck’s, Stella Artois, Red Stripe, Singha

Front 19

Aroma Profile of a

Premium American Lager

Back 19

Low to medium-low malt aroma, which can be grainy, sweet or corn-like. Hop aroma may range from very low to a medium-low, spicy or floral hop presence. Low levels of yeast character (green apples, DMS, or fruitiness) are optional but acceptable. No diacetyl

Front 20

Color / Appearance of a

Premium American Lager

Back 20

Pale straw to gold color. White, frothy head may
not be long lasting. Very clear.

Front 21

Flavor Profile of a

Premium American Lager

Back 21

Crisp and dry flavor with some low levels of grainy or malty sweetness. Hop flavor ranges from none to low levels. Hop bitterness at low to medium level. Balance may vary from slightly malty to slightly bitter, but is relatively close to even. High levels of carbonation may provide a slight acidity or dry “sting.” No
diacetyl. No fruitiness.

Front 22

Mouthfeel of a

Premium American Lager

Back 22

Medium-light body from use of adjuncts such as rice or corn. Highly carbonated with slight carbonic bite on the tongue.

Front 23

Ingredients of a

Premium American Lager

Back 23

Two- or six-row barley with up to 25% rice or corn as adjuncts.

Front 24

Vital Statistics (IBUs / SRM / ABV) of a

Premium American Lager

Back 24

IBUs: 15 – 25

SRM: 2 – 6

ABV: 4.6 – 6%

Front 25

Describe the overall characteristics of a

Munich Helles

Back 25

Malty but fully attenuated Pils malt showcase.

Unlike Pilsner but like its cousin, Munich Dunkel, Helles is a malt-accentuated beer that is not overly sweet, but rather focuses on malt flavor with underlying hop bitterness in a
supporting role.

Front 26

Commercial Examples of a

Munich Helles

Back 26

Weihenstephaner Original, HackerPschorr
Münchner Gold, Bürgerbräu Wolznacher Hell Naturtrüb, Mahr’s Hell, Paulaner Premium Lager, Spaten Premium Lager, Stoudt’s Gold Lager