Guide Note

Pale ale describes a variety of beers that use ale yeast and pale malts. The color of pale ales range from light copper to light brown. Pale ale did not exist until a coal derivative allowed brewers to have more control over the barley roasting process, producing barley that was lightly roasted instead of dark. British versions of the beer are more mild, while American and Australian variants have a hoppier flavor profile.

Fast Facts

1. 1703: First use of term "pale ale"
2. Alcohol by volume: 4% - 7%
3. Top seller (United States): Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

1. Bitter
2. Altbier
3. Biere de garde
4. Scotch ale
5. Saison
6. American pale ale
7. Amber ale
8. Burton pale ale
9. India pale ale
10. Irish red ale

India pale ale (IPA) was developed as a hardier style of pale ale that would survive the long trip from England to India. As alcohol and hops are both preservatives, a highly hopped, very alcoholic ale would be more likely to arrive at the other end in prime condition. When craft brewing began to take off in the 1980s, IPA was a popular style that brewers used to prove their mettle. As time has gone on, IPAs have steadily grown more bitter.