Beverage style guidelines are used with the permission of the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP). BJCP Style Guidelines Copyright © BJCP, Inc. The most current guidelines are available at www.bjcp.org.
Vital statistics
| Original gravity | 1.026 – 1.034 (6.6 – 8.5 °P) |
|---|---|
| Final gravity | 1.006 – 1.010 (1.5 – 2.6 °P) |
| Bitterness | 15 – 28 IBU |
| Color | 2 – 4 SRM (3 – 8 EBC) |
| Alcohol | 2.4 – 3.6% ABV |
Overall impression
A pale, highly-attenuated, light-bodied German lager with lower alcohol and calories than standardstrength beers. Moderately bitter with noticeable malt and hop flavors, the beer is still interesting to drink.
Aroma
Low to medium hop aroma, with a spicy, herbal, or floral character. Low to medium-low grainy-sweet or slightly crackery malt aroma. Clean fermentation profile.
Appearance
Pale straw to deep yellow in color. Brilliant clarity. Moderate white head with average to below average persistence.
Flavor
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.
Mouthfeel
Light to very light body. Medium to high carbonation. Smooth, well-attenuated.
Comments
Marketed primarily as a diet-oriented beer with lower carbohydrates, alcohol, and calories. Pronounced "LYESHT-beer." May also be known as a Diat Pils or Helles, this style is in the schankbier gravity class. Other variations of Leicht class beers can be made from Weissbier, Kölsch, and Altbier; those beers are best entered as 34B Mixed-Style Beer.
History
Traditional versions existed as drinks for physical laborers in factories or fields, but modern versions are more based on popular American products in the same class and targeted towards health or fitness conscious consumers. Increasingly supplanted in the current market by non-alcoholic beers and radlers.
Characteristic ingredients
Continental Pils malt. German lager yeast. Traditional German hops.
Style comparison
Like a lower-alcohol, lighter-bodied, slightly less aggressive German Pils or Munich Helles. More bitter and flavorful than an American Light Lager.
Commercial examples
Autenrieder Schlossbräu Leicht, Greif Bräu Leicht, Hohenthanner Tannen Hell Leicht, Müllerbrau Heimer Leicht, Schönramer Surtaler Schankbier, Waldhaus Sommer Bier
Tags: session-strength, pale-color, bottom-fermented, lagered, central-europe, traditional-style, pale-lager-family, bitter, hoppy