American pale ale

American Pale Ale

American Pale Ale

Type	Pale Ale
Country of origin	United States
Alcohol by volume	4.5% - 6.2%
Color	Amber to copper
IBU scale	30 - 50

American Pale Ale (APA) is a popular beer style that originated in the United States. It is known for its refreshing taste, moderate alcohol content, and balanced hop bitterness. APAs are often characterized by their amber to copper color and citrusy hop flavors.

History

American Pale Ale emerged as a distinct beer style in the 1980s during the craft beer revolution in the United States. It was a response to the dominance of mass-produced lagers and the desire for more flavorful and hop-forward beers. Craft breweries, such as Sierra Nevada Brewing Company and Anchor Brewing Company, played a significant role in popularizing the style.

Characteristics

American Pale Ales typically have an alcohol by volume (ABV) ranging from 4.5% to 6.2%. The International Bitterness Units (IBU) of APAs usually fall between 30 and 50, providing a moderate level of hop bitterness. The color of American Pale Ales can vary from amber to copper, with a clear appearance.

The aroma and flavor profile of American Pale Ales are dominated by hops. Citrusy, floral, and piney hop notes are commonly found in APAs, which contribute to their refreshing and aromatic qualities. The malt backbone in APAs provides a balance to the hop bitterness, with flavors of caramel and toasted bread.

Brewing Process

American Pale Ales are brewed using a combination of malted barley, water, hops, and yeast. The malted barley provides the fermentable sugars necessary for the yeast to convert into alcohol during fermentation. Various hop varieties are added during the brewing process to impart bitterness, flavor, and aroma.

The brewing process typically involves mashing the malted barley with hot water to extract sugars, boiling the resulting liquid (wort) with hops, cooling the wort, and fermenting it with yeast. After fermentation, the beer is carbonated and packaged for consumption.

Popular Examples

Some popular examples of American Pale Ales include:

• Sierra Nevada Pale Ale - A flagship beer of Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, known for its balanced hop bitterness and citrusy hop flavors.
• Anchor Liberty Ale - An iconic beer from Anchor Brewing Company, characterized by its hop-forward profile and crisp finish.
• Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale Ale - A well-known APA from Deschutes Brewery, featuring a blend of Cascade and Centennial hops.

See Also

• Beer Styles
• Craft Beer
• India Pale Ale