What's the Difference Between British and American Pale Ales?

Craft beer culture has embraced pale ales in recent years. You've probably heard of hops, ultra-bitter craft IPAs, which appear to permeate the beer scene.

To think this stereotype covers the pale ale market is to undersell it. IPAs can be distinguished from other pale ales by their bitter hops content, but there are other differences.

British and American pale ales are geographically named by the "I" in IPA. While none is as hop-forward as an IPA, they both feature hoppiness and malt.

While British pale ales (bitter beers) focus on deep maltiness, American pale ales use more hops, frequently using citrusy Cascade hops from the US.

American pale ales showcase brewing innovation. American and British pale ales differ in more than taste. American pale ale, like IPA, originated in Britain. However, new-world artists and consumers' needs and tastes changed the processes and ingredients. The hops and brewing methods of American and British pale ales differ.

British pale beers, like other ales, require top-fermenting ale yeast for a mild fruity flavor. The beer is usually not boosted beyond the traditional brewing procedure. Like British pale beers, American pale ales began this way.

But some things altered over time. Americans often dry-hop their pale ales, adding hops during or after fermentation for a hoppier flavor, in addition to brewing to a higher alcohol content. Both British and American pale ales have distinct tastes and methods.

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