Scottish Lite Ale

A Scottish Light Ale is a low-alcohol, malt-focused beer style from the Scottish ale family.

Notes: These beers differ significantly from Scotch Ale, especially regarding original gravity, alcohol content, and malt attributes. While there are conflicting theories as to whether traditional Scottish Light Ale exhibited peat smoke character, the current marketplace offers many examples with peat smoke character present at low to medium-low levels. Peat smoke attributes may be absent or present at low to medium-low levels. Versions exhibiting higher levels of smoke character are categorized as Smoke Beer.

ABV: 2.8%-3.5%
IBU: 9-20
COLOR / SRM SCALE: 17-25
OG: 1.030-1.035
FG: 1.006-1.010

Alcohol & Bitterness

ABV:2.8%-3.5%

ABW:2.2%-2.8%

IBU:9-20

Perceived Bitterness:

Low

Color & Appearance

Color:

Gold to light brown

SRM:17-25

Clarity:

Chill haze is acceptable at low temperatures

Gravity & Body

Original Gravity:1.030-1.035

Original Gravity °P:7.6-8.8

Final Gravity:1.006-1.010

Final Gravity °P:1.5-2.6

Body:

Low

Flavor Profiles

Malt Profile:

Malty, caramel aroma may be present. A low to medium-low, soft and chewy caramel malt flavor should be present.

Hop Profile:

Should not be present

Fermentation Character:

Yeast attributes such as diacetyl and sulfur are acceptable at very low levels. Bottled versions may contain higher amounts of carbon dioxide than is typical for lightly carbonated draft versions. Fruity esters, if present, are low.

2026 Brewers Association Beer Style Guidelines used with permission of Brewers Association .

No beers have been reviewed in this style.