Top 10 American Pale Ales Brewed in America
This Top Ten American Pale Ales list is from the U.S. Open Beer Championship, Great American Beer Festival, and World Beer Cup. The best pale ales range from deep golden to copper in color. This style is characterized by fruity, floral and citrus-like American-variety hop character producing high hop bitterness, flavor, and aroma Note that “floral and citrus-like American-variety hop character” is the perceived end, but may be a result of the skillful use of hops of other national origins. The best pale ales have medium body and low to medium maltiness. ABV: 4.40% – 5.40%. IBU: 30-42.
1. Zombie Dust – Three Floyds Brewing – Indiana
2. Powder – Coppertail Brewing – Florida
3. Mosaic Pale Ale – Lynnwood Brewing Concern – North Carolina
4. Stick’s Pale Ale – Bootstrap Brewing – Colorado
5. Oskar Blues Dale’s Pale Ale – Oskar Blues Brewery – Colorado
6. Monterey Street – Central Coast Brewing – California
7. pseudoSue – Toppling Goliath Brewing – Iowa
8. Grunion – Ballast Point – California
9. Mirror Pond Pale Ale – Deschutes Brewery – Oregon
10. Edward – Hill Farmstead Brewery – Vermont
History of Pales Ales
The history of pale ales begins in the early 18th century in England, where advancements in malting technology allowed brewers to produce lighter, clearer beers. The development of coke-fired kilns enabled maltsters to create pale malt, which was less smoky and darker than traditional brown malt. By the 1700s, brewers in Burton-upon-Trent, a key brewing hub, capitalized on the region’s hard water, rich in calcium sulfate, to craft beers with a crisp, hoppy character. These early pale ales, often called “bitter” or “pale bitter,” were lighter in color and body compared to porters and stouts, appealing to a growing middle class. The style gained traction in the 19th century as improved transportation, like railways, spread Burton’s beers across Britain, with breweries like Bass & Co. establishing pale ale as a staple in pubs.
The evolution of pale ale took a significant turn in the 20th century, particularly with its export to colonial markets and later its revival in the United States. In the 19th century, highly hopped versions, known as India Pale Ales (IPAs), were brewed to withstand long sea voyages to British colonies, especially India. While IPAs initially faded in popularity, the broader pale ale style persisted in Britain as a sessionable pub beer. In the late 20th century, the American craft beer movement reimagined pale ales, with breweries like Sierra Nevada emphasizing bold, citrusy American hops like Cascade. This West Coast style, characterized by vibrant hop flavors and balanced malt, sparked a global resurgence of pale ales, influencing modern craft brewing and diversifying the style into hazy, juicy, and sessionable variations enjoyed worldwide today.
Top 10 Beers in America – Ales Lagers Specialty Barrel Aged