Top 10 American Strong Pale Ales Brewed in North America
This Top Ten American Strong Pales Ales list is from the U.S. Open Beer Championship, Great American Beer Festival, and World Beer Cup. American Strong Pale Ales are deep golden to copper. Chill haze is allowable at cold temperatures. Low caramel malt aroma is allowable. Fruity-ester aroma should be moderate to strong. Hop aroma is high, exhibiting floral, fruity, citrus-like, piney, resinous, or sulfur-like American-variety hop characters. Low level maltiness may include low caramel malt character. Hop flavor is high, exhibiting floral, fruity, citrus-like, piney, resinous, or sulfur-like American-variety hop flavors. Hop bitterness is high. ABV: 5.60% – 7.30%. IBU: 40 – 50.
1. Zombie Dust – 3 Floyds Brewing – Indiana
2. Hop on Top – Lynnwood Brewing – North Carolina
3. Hubert MPA – Melvin Brewing – Wyoming
4. Wolfback Ridge – Headlands Brewing – California
5. Born Yesterday Pale Ale – Lagunitas Brewing – California
6. Breakside Stay West – Breakside Brewery – Oregon
7. Goofy Foot – Moonraker Brewing – California
8. Classic IPA – Full Sail Brewing – Oregon
9. MO – Maine Beer Company – Maine
10. Red Chair NWPA – Deschutes Brewery – Oregon
History of Strong Pale Ales
The American Strong Pale Ale, often considered a bolder cousin of the American Pale Ale, emerged in the late 20th century during the craft beer revolution in the United States. In the 1970s and 1980s, pioneering breweries like Sierra Nevada and Anchor Brewing began experimenting with traditional pale ale styles, inspired by British counterparts but amplified with American ingredients and innovation. The defining moment came with Sierra Nevada’s Pale Ale in 1980, which showcased the vibrant, citrusy, and piney characteristics of American hops like Cascade. Strong Pale Ales took this foundation further, increasing alcohol content (typically 5.5-7% ABV) and hop intensity to create a more robust, flavorful profile. This style was a response to a growing demand among beer enthusiasts for beers that balanced bold hop bitterness with a sturdy malt backbone, setting the stage for the craft beer movement’s emphasis on experimentation and local ingredients.
By the 1990s and early 2000s, American Strong Pale Ales solidified their place in the craft beer landscape as breweries across the country pushed the boundaries of the style. Brewers like Dogfish Head and Stone Brewing crafted beers that dialed up the hop character and alcohol, often blurring the line between Strong Pale Ales and the emerging India Pale Ale (IPA) category. The style became known for its versatility, offering a spectrum of flavors from floral and fruity to resinous and bitter, while maintaining a drinkable yet potent profile. Regional hop varieties, such as Chinook and Centennial, became staples, giving these beers a distinctly American identity. The rise of beer festivals and homebrewing culture further fueled the style’s popularity, as craft brewers and enthusiasts shared recipes and innovations, cementing American Strong Pale Ales as a cornerstone of the modern craft beer era.
Top 10 Beers in America – Ales Lagers Specialty Barrel Aged