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American Pale Ale
A balanced, refreshing pale ale showcasing American hop character over a clean malt base, lighter and less intense than an IPA.
About the American Pale Ale style
The American pale ale was one of the beers that launched the United States craft movement, with Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, first brewed in 1980, becoming its benchmark. It took the English pale ale and swapped in the bright citrus of the Cascade hop.
It sits below the IPA in strength and bitterness, aiming for balance and drinkability rather than maximum hop intensity, which is why it remains a popular everyday craft style and a common first all-grain brew for homebrewers.
American pale ale (APA) is a style of pale ale developed in the United States around 1980.
Grain, hops and yeast
Malt and grain: Pale two-row malt with a little crystal malt for a touch of caramel and colour, keeping the beer easy-drinking.
Hop character: Moderate to high American hops giving citrus and floral notes, present but more restrained than in an IPA.
Yeast and fermentation: A clean American ale yeast that keeps the focus on malt and hop balance.
A typical American Pale Ale runs 4.5 to 6.2% alcohol by volume, with a bitterness of about 30 to 50 IBU and a colour of 5 to 10 SRM. It is traditionally served in a shaker pint. These figures describe the usual range for the style; a given example may sit a little outside them.
Yeast and fermentation notes
A clean American ale yeast fermented in the high teens Celsius gives the neutral, well-attenuated base the style wants. Full attenuation and a moderately cool mash keep it crisp so the hops stand out over a light caramel malt background.
Serving in brief
Serve an American pale ale cold but not ice cold, around 6 to 8 degrees Celsius, on the same fresh-is-best principle as any hoppy beer. It carbonates to a moderate level, so on a kegging setup set a middling pressure rather than the high carbonation of a lager.
Classic examples
Well-known commercial examples of the style include Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Oskar Blues Dale's and Three Floyds Zombie Dust. Tasting a benchmark example is the best way to understand what a style should be before brewing your own.
| Vital statistic | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Origin | United States |
| Strength (ABV) | 4.5 to 6.2% |
| Bitterness (IBU) | 30 to 50 |
| Colour (SRM) | 5 to 10 |
| Traditional glass | Shaker pint |
Typical published ranges. Individual examples vary.
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Sources: BJCP Beer Style Guidelines · Wikipedia