American-Style PilsenerNorth American – Origin Lager Styles

American-Style Pilsener Style

  • Color: Straw to gold
  • Clarity: Appearance should be clear. Chill haze should not be present
  • Perceived Malt Aroma & Flavor: Medium-low to medium
  • Perceived Hop Aroma & Flavor: Medium to high, exhibiting attributes typical of noble-type hops
  • Perceived Bitterness: Medium to high
  • Fermentation Characteristics: DMS, fruity esters and diacetyl should not be present.
  • Body: Medium-low to medium
  • Additional notes: Finish should exhibit low to medium-low body with a clean, crisp malt character evident at low levels. Up to 25% corn and/or rice in the grist should be used. Beers in this category hew to American-style lagers typical of the pre-Prohibition era.

American-Style Pilsener Vital Statistics

  • Original Gravity (°Plato) 1.045-1.060 (11.2-14.7 °Plato)
  • Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (°Plato) 1.012-1.018 (3.1-4.6 °Plato)
  • Alcohol by Weight (Volume) 3.9%-4.7% (4.9%-6.0%)
  • Bitterness (IBU) 25-40
  • Color SRM (EBC) 3-6(6-12 EBC)

2020 Brewers Association Beer Style Guidelines used with permission of Brewers Association.

Credit: 2020 Brewers Association Beer Style Guidelines – Lager Styles – North American Origin Lager Styles – American-Style Pilsener