GABF Guidelines for Pale Ales

OG

ABV

Bitterness American Pale Ale

1.044–1.050

4.4–5.4%

30–50 IBU 46 IBU hops fest it deems an extra pale ale. In contrast to Dale’s Pale Ale, much of St. Lupulin’s healthy hops load is infused into the brew post-boil. When I met up with Brent in the Odell taproom, I had originally planned to discuss St. Lupulin, but, as luck would have it, something even more special was in store.

The brewery had just released Silver, a collaboration brew with Kansas City– based Boulevard Brewing to celebrate the two breweries’ twenty-fifth anniversaries (Odell and Boulevard opened within 24 hours of one another in 1989). Available on draft in Odell’s eleven-state distribution footprint and in 750 milliliter bottles in the twenty-nine states to which Boulevard distributes, Silver echoes Tim Matthews’s assertion that malt-hops balance is a distinguishing feature of imperial pale ale. At 7.3 percent ABV and 40 IBUS, Silver is well beyond pale ale territory, but this is definitely no IPA.

“We were aiming for a kind of cross between a pale ale and a strong ESB,” says Brent. “Odell strives for big aromas and a huge nose. That aroma is the first thing you experience when you bring a beer to your mouth. It makes you want more before you even take that first sip.”

In Silver’s case, it’s a decidedly fruity, almost strawberry-candy-like burst of aroma hops. It’s a big beer, but with only 40 balancing IBUS, it doesn’t feature the punchyou-in-the-face bitterness so common with IPAS. And Silver’s pale bronze hue is a visual prelude to the serious malt that lies underneath all of the hoppy goodness.

“Our customers have an unquenchable thirst for hops, but they don’t always want the bitterness that accompanies them,” American Strong Pale Ale

1.050–1.060

5.6–6.3%

40–50 IBU American IPA

1.060–1.075

6.3–7.6%

50–70 IBU Brent notes. “That’s why Silver and St. Lupulin don’t break 50 IBUS even though they have an incredible hops nose.”

For comparison, 5 Barrel, a classic English-style pale ale features 36 IBUS, while Odell IPA boasts 70. And in this context, Silver’s modest 40 IBUS bring us to another important quality of this category: Imperial pale ale delivers hops without fatiguing the palate.

So, What Is Imperial Pale Ale, Really?

Having discussed this elusive style with brewers who produce world-class pale ales and IPAS, I think the style is best expressed not in specific gravity units or international bittering units, but rather more holistically:

Imperial pale ale is a pale ale whose hops aroma, hops flavor, and alcoholic strength have more in common with IPA than pale ale, but whose malt profile and overall drinkability have more in common with pale ale than IPA.

As brewers continue to push boundaries, it’s likely that even more subtle distinctions will crop up to differentiate different sub-styles, even among imperial pale ales. Think of the possibilities: Imperial Belgian pale ale, imperial black pale ale, and imperial barrel-aged pale ale all seem likely candidates for experimentation.

Imperial pale ale might frustrate those who insist on keeping things in nice, neat, little categories. But for those willing to accept a little ambiguity, it’s a great reason to just sit back and enjoy the ride.