Beer has many lovers and loyalists across the globe. A staple on almost every bar menu, you’ll most probably never find yourself in a restaurant or venue without at least a basic brew on offer. Beer appears in many styles and varieties, with its most well-known arguably being the infamous pale ale. Originating from England, pale ale appears light golden to amber in colour and is known for its malt characteristics.

Read on to understand the history of pale ale with this beginner’s guide from Prancing Pony.

What Is Pale Ale Beer?

Pale ale is generally golden to amber in color. Brewers combine pale malt with ale yeast, reducing the disparity between dark stouts and light lagers. As a result, pale ales have a full flavor without being too heavy. Although the beer originated in England, years of experimentation have made pale ale a cornerstone of the Australian craft beer scene as well.

What’s the Origin?

Pale ales originated in England during the 18th century. Before the introduction of pale ales, the majority of English beers were dark (think Guinness) in colour. This was because brewers had little to no power over the roasting process. However, as malting technology improved, English brewers were able to experiment and began to brewing ales with varying intensities. Pale ales were a result of experimentation, and the style began to materialise into the 1800s.

The Rise of India Pale Ales (IPAs)

The introduction of India Pale Ales (IPAs) brought widespread changes to the beer industry in Britain. With ales becoming higher in alcohol content and more flavoursome with the increase of hops. At this time, Pale ale was given the name “bitter”, to differentiate them from mild to heavier bodied ales. After WWI, the use of crystal malts in bitters become more widespread, further enhancing the pale ale style.

The Shift to Lager-Style Beer

Lager-style beer increased in popularity in the mid-20th century and started to outsell ale in 1989. However, with the rise in microbreweries and demand for craft beer around the world, pale ales, particularly IPAs saw a resurgence in popularity. Pale ales continue to evolve, with breweries around the world specialising their own brews. The beauty of pale ale is how varied the beer can be. From complex flavours to those that are simpler, each brewer is able to add their own individual flair to it.

The Versatility of Pale Ales

Pale ales are basically a perfect mix of everything that’s good about beer, and if you are a beginner and don’t know what to order at a bar, a pale ale is the best place to start. They generally have a moderate malt flavour and high hoppiness (dependent on the sub-style), which makes them flavoursome but more perhaps more palatable for beer beginners. Additionally, the higher levels of hops can produce more citrus notes and a more delicate flavour profile.

What are the different types?

Pale ales can be brewed in many different styles and can vary in flavour from continent to continent, country to country, brewer to brewer. Hops, malts, brewing styles and more can affect the intensity levels of pale ales, making the taste and colour of each Pale ale brewed unique. This means there’s a pale ale for every kind of beer drinker, or any event.

You can alter pale ales in several ways, so it’s interesting to understand the alternatives served at your local pub. Here are the most recognised varieties of pale ale that are served at most local joints:

English Pale Ales

Also known as “extra special bitters,” English pale ales are notorious for their high level of bitterness and moderate to high malt flavors. English pale ales generally have a more medium body, with an emphasis on malt flavors over hops. People often describe English pale ales with herbal, earthy, and toasty flavours.

American Pale Ales (APAs)

American pale ales highlight hops over malt flavors, setting them apart from English pale ales. They often feature notes of citrus, resin, fresh pine, and caramel, and they have a medium body.

Australian Pale Ales

Brewers consider Australian pale ales closer to their American equivalents due to their stronger reliance on hops over malt. They have a light to medium body. New strains of hops grown throughout the country have led to further experimentation with this style of ale. Australian pale ales feature tropical fruit flavors and bitterness, thanks to the heavy hand of hops used by Australian brewers.

Belgian Pale Ales

Belgian pale ales are often compared to British, as in these brews, it is preferred to profile malt flavours over hops. Despite this, Belgian pale ales are famous for using specialty hops that add distinguishable herb and spice characteristics. Belgian pale ales are generally light to medium in body, hop flavour, bitterness and malt, making them extremely easy to drink!

India Pale Ales (IPAs)

India pale ales (IPAs) are a hoppy style of beer that fall within the pale ale category. The rise in craft beer has seen a growth in IPAs, as experimentation with hops and flavours has seen new styles of IPAs born. IPAs can be characterised by their hoppiness, bitterness and utter deliciousness!

Summer / Session / Extra-Pale Ales

Session, summer and extra pale ales (XPA’s) have graced the craft beer seen in recent years after increased demand for beer that was lower in alcohol. This style of brew is generally lighter, fresh, and fruity. The lower alcohol content of session and summer ales allows people to enjoy them over a longer period, leading to the term “sessionable.”

American Amber Ales

Despite being amber in colour, American amber ales still fall under the pale ale category. High levels of roasted crystal malts give amber ales their delicious caramel flavour and richness in colour. Amber ales are fuller bodied, and notes of citrus and spice are utilised to balance the sweetness of the malt.

What Kind Of Glass Should Serve Pale Ales In?

There are different types of pint glasses you can use. The classic pint glass is among the most used to serve pale ales. However, at Prancing Pony, we also strongly encourage the use of steins to consume any and every beer – it’s in our blood, after all!

Ever since they were first brewed, pale ales have gained immense popularity. They continue to rise as brewers endlessly craft and innovate their recipes. There are so many styles of pale ales that you can pair with meals, or simply enjoy them as they are. At Prancing Pony, we offer a varied range of pale ales. If you’re looking for a classic, well-rounded brew, opt for our Australian Pale Ale. You want to try a more citrusy and hop forward pale, opt for the Hopwork Orange. If you’re looking for a lower alcohol, sessionable style, we recommend our XPA – which is still an exceptionally hoppy and fruity beer. For a darker ale style, we recommend the Cascadian Black IPA, which has a medium body and an ABV of 6%. Shop online and explore our range of Australian craft beer at Prancing Pony.