BJCP 2021 / 18B
American Pale Ale
A balanced, refreshing hop-driven pale ale with a clean malt base.
- Drink fresh
- standard strength
- pale color
- top fermented
- north america
Serve: 42 to 48F, Pint or tulip
OG1.120
1.045 to 1.060FG1.030
1.010 to 1.015IBU120
30 to 50SRM40
5 to 10ABV14%
4.5 to 6.2%Taste it in order
Aroma
12 pts- Citrus, pine or floral American hop
- Light bready or caramel malt
- Clean yeast
- Vague
- Hoppy
- Better
- Citrus and pine hop
- Best
- Moderate-high citrus and pine hop aroma over low bready malt, clean fermentation
Appearance
3 pts- Pale gold to deep amber
- Clear to slightly hazy
- White to off-white head
- Vague
- Gold
- Better
- Gold, clear, with a good head
- Best
- Pale gold to amber, bright, dense off-white head with good retention
Flavor
20 pts- Citrus and pine hop flavor
- Light bready malt
- Moderate bitterness with a dry finish
- Vague
- Hoppy
- Better
- Citrus hop with light malt
- Best
- Moderate-high citrus and pine hop flavor, low bready and caramel malt, moderate bitterness, dry finish
Mouthfeel
5 pts- Medium-light to medium body
- Medium to medium-high carbonation
- Smooth
- Vague
- Crisp
- Better
- Medium body, crisp and smooth
- Best
- Medium-light to medium body, crisp, medium to medium-high carbonation
Overall Impression
10 ptsLifts it
- Hop freshness
- Balance
Drops it
- Harsh bitterness
- Caramel sweetness
- Staleness
Writing tip
Separate hop aroma from flavor. Example: 'Citrus and pine aroma, balanced malt, dry bitter finish. Fresh and clean.'
Pour these
- Pale AleSierra NevadaThe classic, with pine and citrus hops
- Pale 31Firestone WalkerBright and juicy with balanced malt
- Mirror PondDeschutes BreweryGentle citrus hop and caramel
Often confused with
- 21A American IPAAmerican IPA is stronger and more bitter
- 12C English IPAEnglish IPA uses earthy hops with little citrus
Fine here
- Estery: A faint fruitiness fits
Ruinous here
- Oxidized: Hop aroma dulls into cardboard
- Grassy: Old hops
- Diacetyl: Butter
Style names, numbers and vital statistics follow the BJCP 2021 beer guidelines. Descriptions and example choices are our own. Check a beer is still made before you hunt for it.