Perhaps the classiest beverage in England when clear glass became widely available in the 1700s, and the spearhead for the craft beer movement in the United States, pale ale has unparallelled historical significance in the beer world, and might be the most flavorful, complex, and balanced of the classic session beers.
Examples: Click here to find pale ales available in your neighborhood.
History: First brewed in 1703 at Burton-on-Trent in England, the creation of this relatively pale hued ale coincided with the popularization of clear serving glasses. A generous hop addition aided in balancing the unusually high sulfate content of the ground water used at the first pale ale breweries.
Food: The fragrant bouquet and spicy flavor of pale ale lends to this beer’s ideal match with generously spiced foods such as Southern barbeque, wasabi crusted Japanese dishes, and curry based Indian dishes. This style is also the perfect complement to grilled meats, burgers, and pizza.
Recommended Glassware: Mug or Stein
Original Gravity (OG): 1.030 – 1.060
Final Gravity (FG): 1.004 – 1.014
Alcohol Content (ABV): 3.2 – 6.3%
Bitterness (IBU): 10 – 50
Color (SRM): 5 – 17º L
Ideal Serving Temperature: 48 – 54º F