16 of the Best English Pale Ales, Blind-Tasted and Ranked

Learn about how we rate & review beers with our BJCP blind panel here


Dutchess Ales G.B. Pale Ale (87)

“‘Brewed with a variety of U.S. and U.K. malts and hops and a hybrid yeast. Drinks a bit like a refreshing Kölsch.”

Firestone Walker Brewing Co DBA (87)

“Always malty, never bitter. A smooth mid palate with ribbons of caramel, English toffee, toasted oak.”

Wise Man Brewing Living For The Moment (87)

“Traditional English nut-brown ale with East Kent Goldings hops.”

Squatters Chasing Tail Orange Golden Ale (88)

“An English-style summer ale, this tail-wagger has already fetched a real name for itself in competition. Our premium barley rolls over with domestic and imported Golding hops for a delicate bitterness and cold, wet nose.”

12 West Brewing Company Billet (88)

English-style brown ale with aromas of roasted nuts and chocolate. Slight earthy hop finish to balance the toffee-like malt backbone.

Westbound & Down Brewing Company Milder Dan Brown (90)

English brown ale featuring notes of toffee, caramel, soft nuttiness, red apples, with a balanced sweetness and mild dark roast.

Boston Beer Company Sam Adams Boston Ale (90)

“A ‘stock’ ale with a distinctly American character. We use earthy English hops along with the sweetness of caramel malts and ferment it as an ale but age it at cool temperatures.”

Wallenpaupack Brewing Company English Pale Mild Ale (91)

"This English Style Session Ale is very light in body and alcohol content but packed with toffee flavor from English malts."

Silver City Brewery Old Scrooge Christmas Ale (91)

“Intriguing notes of apple, cherry, and apricot abound.”

Hi-Wire Brewing - South Slope Specialty Brewery Bed of Nails (91)

“An ode to a traditional English brown. Delicate body, dry finish, flavors of toffee, dark fruit.”

Prison City Brewing Charlie Brown Ale (92)

“English brown. Smooth and drinkable. Notes of toast, chocolate, coffee.”

BKS Artisan Ales Rockhill & Locust (92)

“English-style dark mild ale.”

Alibi Ale Works Giant Steps (92)

“A bourbon barrel–aged English-style barleywine.”

Creature Comforts Brewing Co. Vujà Dé: Landlord (93)

“Landlord uses American ingredients to pay homage to Timothy Taylor’s Landlord as the quintessential English pale ale.”

Schlafly Beer/The Saint Louis Brewery, LLC Pale Ale (93)

"This English-inspired classic helped spark the country’s craft beer revolution. The copper-colored, mildly spiced session ale offers a hint of fruitiness a refined balance of hops and malt, giving drinkers a taste of our genuine approach to brewing great beer."

BKS Artisan Ales Rockhill & Locust (95)

English style dark mild ale.