2A International Pale Lager

International Lager

2021 Guidelines

Overall Impression

A highly-attenuated pale lager without strong flavors, typically well-balanced and highly carbonated. Served cold, it is refreshing and thirst-quenching.

Aroma

Low to medium-low grainy-malty or slightly corny-sweetmalt aroma. Very low to medium spicy, floral, or herbal hop aroma. Clean fermentation profile.

Appearance

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

Flavor

Low to moderate levels of grainy-malt flavor, medium-low to medium bitterness, with a crisp, dry, well-attenuated finish. The grain character can be somewhat neutral, or show a light bready-crackery quality. Moderate corny or malty sweetness optional. Medium floral, spicy, or herbal hop flavor optional. Balance may vary from slightly malty to slightly bitter, but is usually relatively close to even. Neutral aftertaste with light malt and sometimes hop flavors.

Mouthfeel

Light to medium body. Moderately high to highly carbonated. Can have a slight carbonic bite on the tongue.

Statistics

ABV 4.5% - 6.0%

IBU 18 - 25

SRM

2 - 6

Original Gravity (OG) 1.042 - 1.05

Final Gravity (FG) 1.008 - 1.012

Comments

Tends to have fewer adjuncts than American Lagers. They may be all-malt, although strong flavors are still a fault. 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 and many export markets. Often confusingly labeled as a “Pilsner.” Any skunkiness in commercial beers is a handling fault, not a characteristic of the style.

History

In the United States, developed as a premium version of the standard American lager, with a similar history. Outside the US, developed either as an imitation of American-style lagers, or as a more accessible (and often drier and less bitter) version of a Pilsner-type beer. Often heavily marketed and exported by large industrial or multi-national breweries.

Characteristic Ingredients

Two- or six-row barley. May use rice, corn, or sugar as adjuncts, but are generally all malt.

Style Comparison

Generally more bitter and filling than American Lager. Less hoppy and bitter than a German Pils. Less body, malt flavor, and hop character than a Czech Premium Pale Lager. More robust versions can approach a Munich Helles in flavor, but with more of an adjunct quality.

Entry Instructions

Entrant may specify regional variations, if desired (Mexican lager, Dutch lager, etc.).

Commercial Examples

Asahi Super Dry

Birra Moretti

Corona Extra

Devils Backbone Gold Leaf Lager

Full Sail Session Premium Lager

Heineken

Red Stripe

Singha

Beer Styles