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BJCP 2015 Guideline

Historical Beer Pre-Prohibition Lager

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BJCP 27A

BJCP 2015 27A Pre-Prohibition Lager example
27A - Pre-Prohibition Lager

 

Overall Impression

A clean, refreshing, but bitter pale lager, often showcasing a grainy-sweet corn flavor. All malt or rice-based versions have a crisper, more neutral character. The higher bitterness level is the largest differentiator between this style and most modern mass-market pale lagers, but the more robust flavor profile also sets it apart.

Comments

The classic American Pilsner was brewed both pre-Prohibition and post-Prohibition with some differences. OGs of 1.050-1.060 would have been appropriate for pre-Prohibition beers while gravities dropped to 1.044-1.048 after Prohibition. Corresponding IBUs dropped from a pre-Prohibition level of 30-40 to 25-30 after Prohibition.

Commercial Examples

Anchor California Lager, Coors Batch 19, Little Harpeth Chicken Scratch

There are more details available on the BJCP website. Click below to view the complete style.

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VITAL

  • OG:  1044 - 1060
  • FG:  1010 - 1015
  • ABV: 4.5 - 6
  • IBU: 25 - 40
  • SRM: 3 - 6
BJCP 2015 27A - Pre-Prohibition Lager Commercial Example
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