Malt aroma & flavor
Malt flavor and aroma dominate the flavor profile
British Origin Ale Styles
English-Style Pale Mild Ale
Ale · Light amber to medium amber
What to expect
Malt flavor and aroma dominate the flavor profile. Hop character: Very low to low.
Reading guide · The complete guideline attributes below preserve the source’s qualifications.Color · SRM
6–9
Pale / strawBlack
Light amber to medium amber · Illustrative colors on the shared, uneven SRM scale.
Explore styles overlapping this color rangeAlcohol · ABV
3.4–4.4%
Reference scale, not a limit on official guideline values.
Bitterness · IBU
10–20
Measured bitterness; perceived bitterness is described in the guideline below.
Brewers Association 2026 · Printed guideline page 4 · PDF page 13. Color graphics are illustrative.
The guideline, in detail
Official style attributes, including what may be present and what should be absent.
Hop aroma & flavor
Very low to low
Perceived bitterness
Very low to low
Body & mouthfeel
Low to medium-low
Clarity
Chill haze is acceptable at low temperatures
Color
Light amber to medium amber
Fermentation characteristics
Diacetyl is usually absent in these beers but may be present at very low levels. Fruity esters are very low to medium-low.
Technical specifications, including gravity
Original Gravity (°Plato) 1.030-1.036 (7.6-9 °Plato) • Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (°Plato) 1.004-1.008 (1-2.1 °Plato) • Alcohol by Weight (Volume) 2.7%- 3.4% (3.4%-4.4%) • Hop Bitterness (IBU) 10-20 • Color SRM (EBC) 6-9 (12-18 EBC)