“A pale ale with a little something extra.” If you’re into craft beers, you’ve likely heard of an Extra Pale Ale. Today, we’re going to explore the origins, brewing techniques, and the delicious flavour profiles that make Extra Pale Ales a must-try for every beer lover.
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Origin Stories: Extra Pale Ale
An Extra Pale Ale , or ‘XPAs’ are an American adaptation of the traditional English pale ale. This vibrant style emerged in Oregon in 2008 as part of the craft beer movement, with brewers aiming to create a lighter, hop-forward beer that retained the essence of classic pale ales while conforming to modern tastes.
Originally, the extra pale ale was labeled with an "X" to signify the experimentation with new hop varieties. Over time, the "X' evolved to represent "extra," highlighting the extra pale malt appearance and additional hops. For others, it may also signify the brightness of the beer, perhaps the higher ABV or the extra pack it punches! It's up for interpretation.
Appearance and Taste Profile
Extra Pale Ales typically feature a bright, hoppy flavor profile balanced with a light malt backbone. You can expect:
Hops: Bold citrus and floral notes, often with flavours of grapefruit, ripened pineapple and peach.
Malt: A subtle sweetness from pale malts, providing a crisp and clean finish without overwhelming the hop character.
Bitterness: Moderate bitterness that complements the hop flavours but doesn’t dominate, resulting in a refreshing experience and perfectly sessionable beer.
Mouthfeel: Light to medium body with a smooth, effervescent texture, making it easy to drink.
Overall, they should offer a vibrant and refreshing taste that appeals to both hop lovers and those seeking a lighter beer. They are perfectly sessionable beers that don't sacrifice taste.
In terms of their appearance, an extra pale ale often appears pale and brighter than a classic pale ale. The shade of the beer often floats between shades of pale gold and deep amber. Whilst extra pales that are dry hopped can appear cloudy, the majority are clear and crisp.
How To Make An Extra Pale Ale
When it comes to the production of an extra pale ale, it’s hard to determine what each brewer’s interpretation for the style of beer will be. Brewers tend to experiment with multiple blends to create unique mixes.
One thing is certain across all extra pale ale recipes, hops lead the way.
Read on to discover how Full Circle Brew Co designed their recipe for their newest extra pale ale release Magical Bike Ride.
In order to make magical bike ride, Full Circle used some of the palest malts they could get their hands on. Blending a combination of Simpsons Extra Pale malt, Bestmalz Heidelberg malt and milled oats.
Additionally, they used a gentle boil, whirlpool hopped with YCH303 Phantasm and dry hopped with a delicate balance of Hallertau Blanc and Luminosa.
Extra Pale Ale vs Pale Ale: What's The Difference?
The primary differences between pale ale and extra pale ale exist within flavour profile, colour, and alcohol content.
- Flavour Profile: Typically, an extra pale ale has a balanced flavour with a balanced mix of malt sweetness and hoppy bitterness. They often contain floral and fruity notes. Furthermore, an extra pale ale emphasises hop character more so than malt. Their style is often more aromatic and has a pronounced bitterness.
- ABV: An Extra Pale Ale often has a slightly higher ABV, usually around 5.5% to 7.5%.
- Appearance: There is also a difference in colour between the two beers. The colour of a pale ale floats between amber and copper shades. Extra Pale Ale's tend to be lighter in colour, often golden to pale amber.
Full Circle Brew Co's Approach To An Extra Pale Ale
Let's take a break and talk about Full Circle Brew Co . as an example of how breweries approach extra pale ale's.
Magical Bike Ride is the first Extra Pale Ale Full Circle Brew Co have brewed and it certainly won't be the last.
Brewed with Chinook, Hallertau Blanc and Luminosa, this crisp and refreshing extra pale ale leads with bright aromas of lemongrass, followed by juicy peach and decadent candied orange on the palate. Light, flavourful and balanced to perfection. Sitting at a sessionable 4.0%, magical bike ride is the perfect beer to sit and sip in the sunshine.
Magical Bike Ride was a part of the breweries monthly double release. This kind of limited release is common in the craft beer world, giving breweries a chance to experiment and offer something special to their customers.
Magical Bike Ride is available to purchase in cans via our web shop for a limited time.
What makes an extra pale ale, extra?
An Extra Pale Ale contains more pale malt than a traditional Pale Ale, resulting in a lighter, brighter appearance and a cleaner, crisper flavour.
There is also a difference in colour between the two beers. The colour of a pale ale floats between amber and copper shades. Extra Pale Ale's tend to be lighter in colour, often golden to pale amber.
Typically, what ABV is an extra pale ale?
An Extra Pale Ale often has a slightly higher ABV, usually around 5.5% to 7.5%.
What kind of hops are used in an extra pale ale?
Bold citrus hops and floral notes, often with flavours of grapefruit, ripened pineapple and peach.
One thing is certain across all extra pale ale recipes, hops lead the way.
What extra pale ales can I try from Full Circle?
Magical Bike Ride is the first Extra Pale Ale Full Circle Brew Co have brewed and it certainly won't be the last.
Brewed with Chinook, Hallertau Blanc and Luminosa, this crisp and refreshing extra pale ale leads with bright aromas of lemongrass, followed by juicy peach and decadent candied orange on the palate. Light, flavourful and balanced to perfection. The extra pale ale sits at a sessionable 4.0%, making it perfect to sit and sip in the sunshine.
Extra Pale Ale Wrapped Up
If you're curious about extra pale ales why not give Magical Bike Ride a go? You can find it in our online store for a limited time. It's an excellent way to experience firsthand what this style of beer is all about. Remember, the best way to appreciate an extra pale ale is to pour it into an FCBC branded glass – this allows you to fully appreciate appearance and enticing aroma before you even take your first sip.
Or if you’re a big fan of a classic pale ales or other styles such as NEIPA’s and IPA’s we have loads to choose from our on web shop!
So there you have it – a quick rundown of extra pale ales. Whether you're a seasoned beer drinker or just getting into craft brews, these hazy, fruity beers are definitely worth exploring. They offer a different take on the pale ale style that's been winning over beer fans for good reason.
Cheers to exploring new beers! Who knowns where your taste buds might take you next? If you want to begin your craft- beer journey or expand your horizons, try out range of beers on our web shop or why not check out our Fridge Filler Pack? Or join our monthly Beer Club, our monthly subscription box where you can pick up the freshest beers every month as a discounted rate.
