Malt aroma & flavor
Low to medium malt aroma and flavor is present. Low caramel character is allowable.
British Origin Ale Styles
Classic English-Style Pale Ale
Ale · Gold to copper
What to expect
Malt character: Low to medium malt aroma and flavor is present. Hop character: Medium-low to medium-high, expressed as floral, herbal, earthy, stone fruit or other attributes.
Reading guide · The complete guideline attributes below preserve the source’s qualifications.Color · SRM
5–12
Pale / strawBlack
Gold to copper · Illustrative colors on the shared, uneven SRM scale.
Explore styles overlapping this color rangeAlcohol · ABV
4.4–5.3%
Reference scale, not a limit on official guideline values.
Bitterness · IBU
20–40
Measured bitterness; perceived bitterness is described in the guideline below.
Brewers Association 2026 · Printed guideline page 3 · PDF page 12. Color graphics are illustrative.
The guideline, in detail
Official style attributes, including what may be present and what should be absent.
Hop aroma & flavor
Medium-low to medium-high, expressed as floral, herbal, earthy, stone fruit or other attributes.
Perceived bitterness
Medium-low to medium-high
Body & mouthfeel
Medium
Clarity
Chill haze is acceptable at low temperatures
Color
Gold to copper
Fermentation characteristics
Fruity esters are medium to medium-high. Diacetyl is usually absent in these beers but may be present at very low levels.
Technical specifications, including gravity
Original Gravity (°Plato) 1.040-1.056 (10-13.8 °Plato) • Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (°Plato) 1.008- 1.016 (2.1-4.1 °Plato) • Alcohol by Weight (Volume) 3.5%-4.2% (4.4%-5.3%) • Hop Bitterness (IBU) 20-40 • Color SRM (EBC) 5-12 (10-24 EBC)