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About American Style Pale Ale

About American Style Pale Ale
Despite their name, pale ales tend to appear amber in color. They range from 4.5-6% in alcohol and feature crisp, full-bodied flavors and aromas. U.S. versions of pale ales are crisper and feature a higher hop profile than original English versions of the style. Pale ales have become one of the benchmarks by which craft brewers are judged in the US. Noteworthy examples of this style include: Goose Island Green Line Pale Ale, Oskar Blues Dale’s Pale Ale, Great Lakes Burning River Pale Ale and Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.

Top Picks for American Style Pale Ale

Harpoon Brewery Rec League Hazy Pale Ale
93 points
Harpoon Brewery
Rec League Hazy Pale Ale
Cloudy gold color. Hoppy aromas and flavors of orange pith, mango pit, eucalyptus, and cucumber salad with a round, vibrant, effervescent, dryish light-to-medium body and a polished, engaging, medium-long finish evoking notes of tangerine gelato, papaya custard, baklava with orange flower water, and coriander finish. A bold, hop-forward ale with a very attractive brightness.
93 points
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Date Tasted:
Great Lakes Brewing Co. Burning River Pale Ale
93 points
Great Lakes Brewing Co.
Burning River Pale Ale
Pale amber color. Aromas and flavors of orange blossom honeycomb on toast and butter roasted corn and nuts with a silky, bright, finely carbonated, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a smooth, interesting, long finish with accents of toasted lemon scone, orange melon salad, and radish finish. A superb pale ale with great balance, flavor and easy drinking style.
93 points
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Date Tasted:
Deschutes Brewery Red Chair NWPA Northwest Pale Ale
92 points
Deschutes Brewery
Red Chair NWPA Northwest Pale Ale
Brilliant bright gold color. Citrusy aromas and flavors of pineapple upside down cake, peach-papaya yogurt, caramelized lemons, and blueberry scone with a satiny, vibrant, finely carbonated, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a tingling, engaging, medium-long finish with accents of endive with peppers and pineapples, grapefruit peel, praline, and pine needle finish. A vivacious and toothsome pale ale with tons of West Coast hoppy character.
92 points
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Date Tasted:
Sweetwater Brewing Co. 420 Extra Pale Ale
90 points
Sweetwater Brewing Co.
420 Extra Pale Ale
Light gold color. Attractive aromas and flavors of toasted pretzel bread, pineapple custard tart, lemon-herb tea and taffy, and thyme honey and spinach artichoke dip in a bread bowl with a supple, bright, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a captivating, medium-long finish manifesting notes of hint of radish and tropical fruit compote finish. A smooth and even citrusy pale ale that goes down easy.
90 points
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Date Tasted:
Burleigh Brewing Co. Burleigh All Ways Hopped Strong Pale Ale
89 points
Burleigh Brewing Co.
Burleigh All Ways Hopped Strong Pale Ale
Minutely hazy golden amber color. Aromas of romaine, toasted onion roll, and grapefruit curd with a satiny, vibrant, effervescent, dry medium body and a tingling, relaxed ground nuts, carrot tops, grilled parsnips, and injera bread finish. A dry, chewy APA for pairing.
89 points
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Date Tasted:
Bravo! All Star Chef Brew New England Style Pale Ale
89 points
Bravo!
All Star Chef Brew New England Style Pale Ale
Cloudy golden amber color. Odd aromas and flavors of singed spices and alpine herbs, grilled root vegetables and citrus, and menthol mint with a supple, bright, dryish medium body and a smooth, amusing, medium-length finish with impressions of spicy bread pudding, ginger and lemongrass, and spinach paneer finish. An interesting New England pale ale with lots of exotic spices.
89 points
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Date Tasted:
Burleigh Brewing Co. Burleigh 28 Pale Ale
88 points
Burleigh Brewing Co.
Burleigh 28 Pale Ale
Light goldcopper color. Aromas of caramelized citrus and nuts, grilled belgian endive, and raw walnut with a satiny, crisp, effervescent, dryish light-to-medium body and a seamless, interesting, medium-length breadsticks, marmite, and caramel finish. A well balanced and refreshing pale ale that will go well with pub food.
88 points
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Date Tasted:
Vancouver Island Brewing Faller Northwest Pale Ale
88 points
Vancouver Island Brewing
Faller Northwest Pale Ale
Minutely hazy pale gold color. Aromas of bruised green onion, charred orange peel, raw rosemary, and fresh pine needle with a round, crisp, effervescent, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a polished, medium-length grapefruit soda, multigrain wheat cracker, bitter greens, and malort finish. A rock solid, crushable pale ale with everything in its proper place.
88 points
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Date Tasted:
Stanley Park Brewing Windstorm West Coast Pale Ale
88 points
Stanley Park Brewing
Windstorm West Coast Pale Ale
Brilliant old gold color. Hoppy aromas and flavors of pine needles, citrus peels, and toasted polenta with a supple, bright, effervescent, dryish medium body and a tingling, stimulating, medium-length finish evoking suggestions of orange marmalade on wheat toast, lemon pepper, and arugula finish. A rock solid ale with nice balance of hops and malt.
88 points
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Date Tasted:
Wild Leap Brew Co. Metagalactic Enigma Pale Ale
87 points
Wild Leap Brew Co.
Metagalactic Enigma Pale Ale
Hazy pale light gold color. Aromas of raw green onion, wet grass, mango skins, and grapefruit pith with a soft, crisp, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a smooth, delightful, brisk Wonderbread crust, orange marmalade, fresh thyme, and fresh grapefruit juice finish. A hop-forward, tropical pale ale in a juicy, summertime style.
87 points
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Date Tasted: