Style: California Common Beer

All Styles

Style Profile based on 210 recipes

BU:GU

0.71

Hops

4.4 g/L

Mash pH

5.57

Style Guidelines AABC 2010

1.048 1.054

1.054

1.011 1.014

1.015

IBU

30 45

ABV

4.5% 5.5%

5.2%

SRM

10 14

Description

Typically showcases the signature Northern Brewer hops (with woody, rustic or minty qualities) in moderate to high strength. Light fruitiness acceptable. Low to moderate caramel and/or toasty malt aromatics support the hops. No diacetyl. Appearance: Medium amber to light copper colour. Generally clear. Moderate off-white head with good retention. Flavour: Moderately malty with a pronounced hop bitterness. The malt character is usually toasty (not roasted) and caramelly. Low to moderately high hop flavour, usually showing Northern Brewer qualities (woody, rustic, minty). Finish fairly dry and crisp, with a lingering hop bitterness and a firm, grainy malt flavour. Light fruity esters are acceptable, but otherwise clean. No diacetyl. Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium to medium-high carbonation.

Examples: Anchor Steam, Southampton Steem Beer, Flying Dog Old Scratch Amber Lager

Typical Grain Bill

78% Pale
8% Toast
7% Crystal
6% Pilsner

% of total grain weight across all recipes · sums to ~100%

Common Additions

% of California Common Beer recipes using each malt category (addition % in brackets)

Hop Usage by Addition Type

g/L · median with IQR range

Bittering

0.49 g/L 1.37 g/L

1.03 g/L

Flavour

0.53 g/L 1.37 g/L

0.75 g/L

Aroma

0.48 g/L 1.37 g/L

1.14 g/L

Whirlpool

0.62 g/L 1.4 g/L

1.25 g/L

Dry Hop

0.53 g/L 1.46 g/L

0.75 g/L

Common Hops

% of California Common Beer recipes using each hop

Common Fermentables

Colour = malt category · bar = % of recipes

Common Yeasts

% of California Common Beer recipes using each strain

Typical Water Profile

Ca²⁺ 78 ppm

Mg²⁺ 5 ppm

Na⁺ 13 ppm

Cl⁻ 73 ppm

SO₄²⁻ 85 ppm

HCO₃⁻ 50 ppm

median across recipes with a declared water profile

Search by...