Pale, Blond and Golden Ales, Session

A very popular beer style for cask conditioned beer with most brewers having at least one example in their portfolio. Due to the lower alcohol content and lightness in colour it appeals to a wider range of people and bars often have stock multiple brands sometimes to the exclusion of other beer styles.

A light refreshing beer which is hop forward and offering a wide range of flavours. This style is split, as the name suggests, into three sub-styles each with it's own characteristic but each merging with each other to the point where categorisation comes down to individual interpretations.

Due to the light colour these beers are often seen as gateway beer from Lager to heavier beer style such as Bitter and Stout. However they are much more than that and should be seen as much as a destination as starting point. Although the name may have changed Pale, Blond and Golden Ales do have a history stretching back to the latter part of the 19th century though the beer would taste very different to some of the American influenced beers we have now.

Session Pale, Blond and Golden Ales are up to and including 4.3% ABV, beers with a similar flavour profile but in the 4.4% to 6.4% ABV range may be Premium Pale, Blond and Golden Ales. Stronger examples than this will result in the beer being a Strong Ale. For some beers which are 5.5% or over may be categorised as an IPA.