American-Style Pale Ale – North American Origin Ale Styles

American-Style Pale Ale Style

  • Color: Straw to light amber
  • Clarity: Chill haze is acceptable at low temperatures. Hop haze is allowable at any temperature.
  • Perceived Malt Aroma & Flavor: Low caramel malt aroma is allowable. Low to medium maltiness may include low caramel malt character.
  • Perceived Hop Aroma & Flavor: High, exhibiting floral, fruity (berry, tropical, stone fruit and other), sulfur, diesel-like, onion-garlic, catty, citrusy, piney or resinous character that was originally associated with American-variety hops. Hops with these attributes now also originate from countries other than the U.S.
  • Perceived Bitterness: Medium to medium-high
  • Fermentation Characteristics: Fruity esters may be low to high. Diacetyl should not be present.
  • Body: Medium

American-Style Pale Ale Vital Statistics

  • Original Gravity (°Plato) 1.044-1.050 (11-12.4 °Plato)
  • Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (°Plato) 1.008-1.014 (2.1-3.6 °Plato)
  • Alcohol by Weight (Volume) 3.5%-4.3% (4.4%-5.4%)
  • Bitterness (IBU) 30-50
  • Color SRM (EBC) 4-7(8-14 EBC)

2020 Brewers Association Beer Style Guidelines used with permission of Brewers Association.

Credit: 2020 Brewers Association Beer Style Guidelines – Ale Styles – North American Origin Ale Styles – American-Style Pale Ale