Welcome, readers, to 2010 – a Year of Beer! Each month we will explore a classic beer style, beginning in January with American Pale Ale (APA).

If you’ve enjoyed a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale or a pint of Deschutes Mirror Pond, you’re likely familiar with this style. The American Pale Ale distinguishes itself from its British counterpart in both its use of indigenous ingredients and the overall purpose/effect that these ingredients have on the finished ale. Simply put, an APA employs Pale Malt (American two-row) and a cleaner fermenting yeast (California or Northwest Ale) to highlight the more assertive, oftentimes citrusy, American hop varieties (including but not limited to: Cascades, Centennials, Chinooks, Columbus). Late hop additions and dry-hopping accentuate the hop aroma and character.

Certain measures of specialty malts may be used not only for flavor but also for color, and a typical APA falls somewhere between a pale golden hue and a deep amber.

Medium-bodied and moderately boozy, an APA offers a thirst-quenching and approachable complexity. This versatile style pairs well with a variety of dishes and cuisines, from nicely aged cheddars to spicy Cajun fare, fried chicken, pizza, and burgers.

Commercial examples of American Pale Ale that are available at the Co-op include Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale Ale, Anderson Valley Poleeko Gold Pale Ale, Full Sail Pale Ale and many more. Subtle differences in hop rate and variety allow each brewery to craft a truly unique APA. Try one today, or mix and match and test your palate.

Cheers, ~m