Pale ale

Pale ale, collective designation for a genre of beers known for their copper or amber color, hoppy flavor, and bitterness. The term originated in 18th-century England to refer to top-fermented beers that were not dark.

History

Until late in the 18th century, the default color of English beers (such as porter or stout) was usually black or brown. Pale ales represented a change in malting technology, which improved the ability to control roast and flavor. Pale barley malt became more affordable, and beers made from it began to challenge the supremacy of darker ones. In England the terms pale ale and bitter became synonymous—a reflection of this style’s hoppy profile.

Pale ale turned out to be a signature style for the American craft beer revolution, which began in the 1960s and gained momentum in the following decades. Pale ale, a well-balanced and moderate style that did not greatly diverge from the popular lagers produced by the large breweries, proved to be a good introductory brew to craft styles. The introduction of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale in 1980—an iconic release by one of the pioneering American craft breweries—is often cited as a key event in the history of craft beer in the United States.

Styles

American craft brewers created a pale ale that differed noticeably from the English original. The American variety is hoppier, often making use of locally specific hops, such as Cascade hops, which originated in the Pacific Northwest. It may also have a higher alcohol content. The original English style is known for being medium bodied, with earthy and herbal hop flavors; it is also characterized by a malty taste.

Other national styles include Australian and Belgian pale ales. The Australian style is similar to the American one in its focus on a hoppy flavor; like their American counterparts, Australian craft brewers like to experiment with local hops. The Belgian style is closer to the English in accenting the malt character, but it is also known for the use of specialty hops that give off distinct herbal and spice notes.

A number of other styles have been created by modifying existing forms of pale ale. American amber ale is one such popular style; it is distinguished by the addition of caramel and crystal malt, which give it a toasted, full-bodied flavor. At the opposite end of the color spectrum, blonde ale is a light-colored pale ale, sometimes flavored with honey, spices, or fruit. A popular offshoot of the basic style is India pale ale (IPA), a hoppier version of pale ale, usually with a higher alcohol content.