British Style Pale Ale

British and North American Ales

The Lords of the Ales: A Powerful Onslaught of Ales from the Two Towers of North America and Great Britain

Pale ales tend to be fuller-bodied with a more assertive character on the palate than the standard bitter in a English brewer’s portfolio. In England, they are generally bottled, as opposed to being sold on draft. Despite the name, pale ales are not pale but, in fact, more of an amber hue. The original designation was in reference to this style of beer being paler than the brown and black beers that were more popular at the time of the style’s inception. In the United States, pale ale styles have become one of the benchmarks by which craft brewers are judged. The U.S. version of pale ale is crisper and generally much more hoppy. Indeed, this style is well suited to assertive domestic Pacific Northwestern hop varieties that give the United States examples inimitable character. A good U.S. example should be available on tap in any bar worth frequenting for its beer selection.

Interpreting the 100-point Scale

Consumers can translate the point score to the following quality bands:

Point Range	Quality Band
96-100 points	Platinum
90-95 points	Gold
85-90 points	Silver
80-84 points	Bronze
Less than 80	Not Recommended

Legend

= Brewpub
ABV = Alcohol by volume
Date denotes the date on which the beer was tasted

96 Fuller’s London Pride Pale Ale, Fuller’s Griffin Brewery (England). 4.7% ABV (3/11)
Brilliant amber color. Aromas of peach pastry and praline with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a long seamless, lemon curd, Devonshire cream and light leafy hop finish. Classic and irresistible.

93 Pendle Witches Brew, Moorhouse’s Brewery (England). 5.1% ABV (3/10)
Slightly hazy pale amber color with a lacy head. Pleasant mild toast and delicate caramel aromas follow through on a round entry to crisp, dryish medium body with a balanced and even, slightly nutty malt and grassy, earthy hop fade.

93 India Pale Ale, St. Peter’s Brewery (England). 5.5% ABV (2/11)
Brilliant orange amber color. Aromas of toasty praline, lemon pudding, honey on rye toast, frittata with a round, silky medium body with a creamy, crisp root vegetable and citrus pith and dandelion greens-like finish. A super-sessionable, wonderfully balanced British-style IPA.

92 Stormcloud Pale Ale, Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. (TX). 6% ABV (2/11)
Bright copper penny color. Meshed aromas of spiced nuts, peach butter on toast and orange soufflé with a satiny, dryish medium body with a long, roasted root vegetable, honey and pinecone finish. Excellent balance and richness in a savory British style with a distinctive American accent.

92 English Bay Pale Ale, Granville Island Brewing Co. (Canada). 5% ABV (3/11)
Rich copper color. Peach cobbler and praline aromas with supple, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a smooth, nutty, melon rind and mild lettuce-like hop aromas. A nicely crafted, very sessionable ale.

92 Golden Ale, St. Peter’s Brewery (England). 4.7% ABV (2/11)
Bright pale amber color with a high head. Aromas of doughy nut bread and lemon pudding with a supple, satiny dry-yet-fruity medium body and a long, seamless grassy hop finish. Great balance and drinkability.

92 Pedigree English Pale Ale, Marston’s Beer Co. (England). 4.5% ABV (2/11)
Rich amber color. Aromas of omelet, praline and melba toast with a round, silky dryish medium body and a root vegetable, honeyed citrus, rye toast and grassy hop-accented finish. A great food-friendly ale that will shine with pub grub.

91 Organic English Ale, St. Peter’s Brewery (England). 4.6% ABV (2/11)
Bright pale amber color. Aromas of crusty frittata and cucumber sandwiches with a round, silky dryish light-to-medium body and white nut and peppered turnip and arugula-accented finish. A go-to session ale.

91 Wychcraft Ale, Wychwood Brewery Co. (England). 4.5% ABV (2/11)
Bright amber color. Aromas of citrus crème brûlée and fresh fruit breads with a supple, dryish medium body and a toasty walnut and earthy hop snap. A well styled session ale. Very nice.

91 Pale Ale, Samuel Smith’s Old Brewery (England). 5% ABV (2/11)
Deep amber color. Aromas of roasted nuts, soufflé and pear jam on toast with a crisp, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a nice lemon rind, mineral and peppery hop finish. A rock-solid sipper.

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