Nomenclature

[Lowlyric]

So pale means beer SRM but I see a lot of styles called pale ale etc and most are highly hopped so how do I know what I'm buying? Is pale ale always hoppy? What if I want a low hopped pale color beer? lol.

 

[Sandy Feet]

You buy a Pilsner.

 

[Lowlyric]

That was easy.

 

[TerryDowning]

So pale means beer SRM but I see a lot of styles called pale ale etc and most are highly hopped so how do I know what I'm buying? Is pale ale always hoppy? What if I want a low hopped pale color beer? lol.

Generally American Pale Ales are medium hoppy, you can taste the hops but not as much as an IPA.
India Pale Ales have the hops.

Malt forward and/or balanced light colored beers.
Pale Lagers (Pilsner, Helles, American Light Lagers, etc.) although German Pilsners can have a notable noble hop presence.
Golden Ales (English or American)
Cream Ale

 

[Lowlyric]

Great info, thanks. I've been wanting to try a cream ale

 

[Donoroto]

I suspect “Pale” is relative. Lagers are generally pale (single-digit srm), and low-hopped. Pilsners are really light but have a fairly big hop bitterness (but not much ‘floral’). Pale ales tend to be hoppy (bitter and floral), but less so than india pale ales, and both range from pale to golden and amber.

Then there’s Wayner’s Pale Ale that uses 17 oz of hops in 5 gallons…

 

[Lowlyric]

I can't imagine a beer that hoppy.

 

[Sandy Feet]

It wouldn't be as crazy with the late additions and dry hops.

 

[Minbari]

So pale means beer SRM but I see a lot of styles called pale ale etc and most are highly hopped so how do I know what I'm buying? Is pale ale always hoppy? What if I want a low hopped pale color beer? lol.

Pale ale is a style of finished beer

Pale ale is also a type of grain, a low color base malt.

One doesn't have to do with the other. Although pale ale can be used to make "pale ale"

 

[Donoroto]

I can't imagine a beer that hoppy.

If you’ve ever had Heady Topper, it’s a lot like that. Not very bitter, very floral.