Beer Style: Pale Ale. Now an American beer classic.

September 5, 12:39 PMBeer ExaminerCharlie Papazian

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Pale ale has its roots in the old ale houses of England

Of the hundreds of craft brewed beer styles available in the United States, pale ale is certainly the most ubiquitous.   The style has its roots in the ale houses of old England.  At a time when malt was inconsistently hand kilned over hot fire most ales were dark in color.  When care gave rise to lighter colored malts, lighter color beers emerged.  The word “pale” was used to describe these new deep copper to light amber ales.  By no means where they as “pale” as contemporary light colored lagers and blonde ales of today.

    Today, both English and American style pale ales are the most popular among beer enthusiasts.   English essays on the style tend to have less hop character (aroma, flavor and bitterness).  Contemporary American style pale ales often feature the citrus-like signature of Cascade and Centennial hops and their hybrid offspring.   

    There’s always a degree of malty sweet foundation, sometimes dry, other times medium in texture.  Hop aroma, flavor and bitterness are integrated into refreshing, lively pale ale.

    Nuances vary across America.  Pale ales of the northeastern U.S. tend to emphasize more fruitiness, light caramel malt character and a much lower hop profile compared to the pale ales of the western U.S.  Regional differences are quite noticeable.  I realize that in noting this it is contrary to my previously expressed observations in this column.

    Other nuances to explore:  Caramel aroma and flavor.  Experimentation with unique hop varieties offering exotic, floral, sweet and sensual aroma and flavor.  Toffee aroma/flavor from roasted brown barley malt.  Butterscotch aroma and flavor in beer? – some will argue that this does not belong in any beer, others cherish subtle and low amounts.  Fruitiness from “warm” ale fermentation; berry, strawberry, apple, banana, pineapple, apricot, passion fruit.  Pleasurable bready yeast character can add complexity and interest in unfiltered pale ales.

    The best pale ales is a personal discovery process.  Explore.  Enjoy.