Top 10 English Pale Ales
Discover the Top 10 English Pale Ales in the United States, ranked based on results from the U.S. Open Beer Championship, Great American Beer Festival, and World Beer Cup.
An English pale ale is a classic British beer with a golden to amber hue, known for its balanced flavor. It features a crisp, malty sweetness paired with earthy, floral hop bitterness, derived from traditional English hops like Fuggles or Goldings. Originally brewed with Burton’s mineral-rich water, it has a clean, refreshing finish, moderate carbonation, and typically ranges from 4-5.5% ABV with IBU (Bitterness Level): 15 – 30, making it a timeless pub favorite.
1. Horseshoe Bend Pale Ale – Grand Canyon Brewing – Arizona
2. Ballast Point Pale Ale – Ballast Point Brewing – California
3. Shooter Pale Ale – City Star Brewing – Colorado – California
4. Russian River Dead Leaf Green – Russian River Brewing – California
5. Great Lakes Brewing Pompous Ass – Great Lakes Brewing – Ohio
6. Smuttynose Shoals Pale Ale – Smuttynose Brewing – New Hampshire
7. Mirror Pond Pale Ale – Deschutes Brewing – Oregon
8. Odell 5 Barrel Pale Ale – Odell Brewing – Colorado
9. Gigantic Axes of Evil- Gigantic Brewing – Oregon
10. Oregon Summit Extra Pale Ale – Summit Brewing
History of English Pale Ales
English pale ales trace their origins to the early 18th century in Burton-upon-Trent, a town in Staffordshire renowned for its brewing heritage. The style emerged as brewers began experimenting with lighter malts, producing beers that were paler in color compared to the dominant dark porters and stouts of the time. The unique mineral-rich water of Burton, high in calcium sulfate, enhanced the clarity and hop bitterness of these ales, giving them a distinctive crispness. By the mid-1700s, pale ales gained popularity among the growing middle class, with breweries like Bass and Allsopp refining the style. The advent of pale malt, made possible by improved kilning techniques, further defined the beer’s golden hue and balanced flavor, setting the stage for its widespread appeal.
The 19th century marked the golden era of English pale ales, fueled by industrial advancements and global trade. The style evolved with the rise of India Pale Ale (IPA), a heavily hopped variant designed to withstand long sea voyages to British colonies. While IPAs became a subset of pale ales, the domestic pale ale remained a staple in British pubs, characterized by its moderate alcohol content, earthy hop notes, and subtle malt sweetness. Breweries like Worthington and Greene King cemented the style’s place in British culture, with their beers becoming synonymous with the cozy, communal atmosphere of the pub. By the 20th century, pale ales faced competition from lagers and modern craft beers, but their enduring legacy persists in classic examples like Fuller’s London Pride, which continue to embody the balance and tradition of this historic style.
Top 10 Beers in America – Ales Lagers Specialty Barrel Aged