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Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

British and North American Styles

The Changing Definition of Style

British-Style Pale Ale

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.

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 India Pale Ale, St. Peter’s Brewery (England). 5.5% ABV (4/11)

Brilliant orange amber color. Aromas of toasty praline, lemon pudding, honey on rye toast and 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 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.

93 Organic Pale Ale, Samuel Smith’s Old Brewery (England). 5% ABV (3/13)

Deep copper color with a manila head. Inviting aromas of honeyed toasted English muffin and lemon curd with a crisp, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a satiny, exceptionally well balanced finish with the emphasis on herb bread and grassy, earthy hops. Very true to style and a pleasure to drink.

92 Golden Ale, St. Peter’s Brewery (England). 4.7% ABV (4/11)

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.

91 Wychcraft Ale, Wychwood Brewery Co. (England). 4.5% ABV (4/11)

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.

92 Pedigree English Pale Ale, Marston’s Beer Co. (England). 4.5% ABV (4/11)

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.

90 Helios Pale Ale, Upland Brewing (IN). 4.9% ABV (3/11)

Golden amber color. Aromas of toasty apricot custard pastry and praline aromas with a supple, dryish medium body and a crisp, clean melon sherbet and grassy, frissé-like hop finish. A really nice session ale.

91 Organic English Ale, St. Peter’s Brewery (England). 4.6% ABV (4/11)

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.

89 Meantime London Pale Ale, Meantime Brewing Co. (England). 4.3% ABV (3/11)

Deep amber color. Aromas of peach soufflé and praline aromas with a crisp, dryish medium body and a tangy watercress, water chestnut and grassy earth-accented finish. A very traditional, earthy session ale.

88 Pale Ale, Theresianer (Italy). 6.5% ABV (6/11)

Golden amber color. Aromas of orange-apricot jam, buttered toasted baguette and white nuts with a supple, fruity-yet-dry medium body and a lively roasted corn and honeyed citrus finish.

87 English Ale, Tetley’s (United Kingdom). 3.6% ABV (7/12)

Rich amber color with an invincible blanket of fine foam. Aromas of cocoa-dusted cashews, fig bread and honeycomb with a satiny, dry-yet-fruity light-to-medium body and a dainty starfruit, pear and delicate spice finish. An effortlessly drinkable English session ale.

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