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Payette Pale Ale

Payette Brewing Company
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🌍 United States · American Pale Ale · One of 231 American Pale Ales in hopIQ

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
See all American Pale Ale alternatives →
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
hopIQ take

Even from Body through Texture, the taste structure is evenly distributed.

Harmony over emphasis — the beer is built for each note to sit at the same volume.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another American Pale Ale.
Hop character
citrusy
hoppy
herbal
Malt character
caramel
malty
Fermentation & yeast
clean
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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
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Payette Pale Ale

Serve at 7–10°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

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

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

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

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Payette Pale Ale

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.

Other American Pale Ales in hopIQ

Explore all American Pale Ale beers in hopIQ →Browse United States beers →