How is Pale Ale made?
In the most basic sense, pale ale means ale brewed from pale malt. The term was born around 1703 for lightly hopped beers made from malts dried over coke, and it meant both pale ale and bitter. Dry heat from cleaner carbon resulted in less smoky, lightly roasted malt and hence produced a paler beer. Nowadays, pale malt is the cheapest available in mass production.
English pale ale is brewed to maintain good balance between malty sweetness and hop bitterness. The taste is robust, fruity and nutty, with butterscotch aromas and golden colour. This type of beer is very popular, as it caters to many tastes and fits into most social situations easily, enjoyed with food or on its own.
American pale ale has a slightly different character, due to a more generous use of American hops, giving out their famous citrussy, pine or fruity aromas.