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Payette Pale Ale

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Payette Brewing's Pale Ale leans on Cascade and Crystal hops for a straightforward American story — citrus, herbaceous, a whisper of caramel malt behind. At 5.2% with moderate bitterness and a dry finish, it's the definition of approachable without being forgettable. Easy on a weeknight, easy on a hike.

ABV
5.2%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
golden5
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
hoppycitrusyclean
hoppy
citrusy
clean
herbal
caramel
malty
Aroma
The nose opens with bright citrus notes—predominantly grapefruit and lime—layered over a herbaceous, grassy character from the Cascade hops.
not found:juicy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Payette Pale Ale

◎ Appearance

Payette Pale Ale presents a pale golden hue with excellent clarity and bright luminosity. The head forms quickly and maintains a fine, persistent collar with good lacing retention down the glass. Carbonation is crisp and active, evidenced by a steady stream of fine bubbles.

pale goldenclearpersistent headwell-carbonated

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with bright citrus notes—predominantly grapefruit and lime—layered over a herbaceous, grassy character from the Cascade hops. Beneath the hop-forward aromatics, a delicate caramel malt sweetness provides subtle backbone without dominating. The overall impression is clean and inviting, with no yeast-derived esters or oxidative notes.

citrus, grapefruitherbal, grassycaramel maltclean

◐ Taste

Entry is crisp and dry, with Cascade hops delivering immediate citrus bite balanced by a whisper of crystal malt sweetness. The mid-palate maintains good hop presence with herbaceous depth, while moderate bitterness (38 IBU) builds gradually rather than aggressively. The body is light to medium, allowing the hop and malt characters to articulate without heaviness.

bright citrusherbal hopsdry palatemoderate bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and dry, with lingering citrus and herbal notes that fade gracefully. Bitterness persists as a pleasant, non-astringent aftertaste without any sharp edges.

dry finishcitrus lingerrefreshing
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
78
Appearance
82
Finish
75
Serve at 7–10°C

Serve at 7–10°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Payette Pale Ale

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About American Pale Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a American Pale Ale?

Pale Ales balance malt sweetness with moderate hop character at 4.5–6% ABV and IBU 20–40. Approachable with floral, citrus or earthy notes over a biscuit malt base.

Finding a similar American Pale Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same hoppy, citrusy, clean character as Payette Pale Ale will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →Explore all American Pale Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse United States beers →