Pale Ale is a broad beer style defined by its use of pale malt and hops, resulting in a lighter colour and more pronounced hop character than traditional British bitters. Modern Pale Ales range from delicate session beers to bold, tropical hop-forward expressions. At Thornbridge, the Pale Ale range covers the full spectrum, from the gentle floral character of Wild Swan to the bold tropical fruit of Kipling

Both styles share a foundation of pale malt and a focus on hop character, but IPAs are generally stronger, more bitter and more heavily hopped than Pale Ales. A Pale Ale tends to be more balanced and approachable, with the malt and hops working in harmony. An IPA takes hop character a step further, delivering more pronounced bitterness, aroma and often a higher alcohol content.

You can think of a Pale Ale as the more balanced expression of hop-forward brewing, while an IPA offers a bolder, more intense experience. At Thornbridge, Kipling (5.2% ABV) sits at the bolder end of the Pale Ale spectrum, while Jaipur (5.9% ABV) marks the beginning of the brewery's IPA range.

Made Glorious Summer is a 5.8% Special Pale Ale brewed as part of the Garrett Oliver and Friends Series — a unique collaboration between Thornbridge Brewery, Brooklyn Brewery's Garrett Oliver and Brasserie de la Senne's Yvan De Baets, all utilising Thornbridge's historic Burton Union fermentation system. Garrett Oliver and Yvan De Baets have been friends for many years and are both knights of Belgium's ancient brewer's guild, but Made Glorious Summer marked the first time they had ever brewed together. The beer is brewed with African fonio grain and continental Pilsner malt, with oats and unmalted wheat for a classic Belgian touch — a genuinely one-of-a-kind beer that could only have come from this combination of brewers, ingredients and the world's only working Burton Union set.

Single-hopped means only one variety of hop is used in the brewing process. This allows the unique characteristics of that hop to be showcased without the complexity of blending multiple varieties. Crackendale uses only Citra hops, giving it a clean, focused citrus and tropical fruit character that is distinct from Thornbridge's other Pale Ales.

The Wednesday is a 4% Pale Ale brewed by Thornbridge in collaboration with Sheffield Wednesday Football Club. Available seasonally as part of the Thornbridge Pale Ale range, it reflects Thornbridge's roots in South Yorkshire and its connection to the local community. It is a light, approachable Pale Ale that has found a following well beyond the football world. As one verified buyer put it — "Bloody cracking pint! And that's coming from a Leeds United fan!"

Yes, the Thornbridge Pale Ale range is available to buy online at thornbridgebrewery.co.uk, with free delivery on orders over £40. Kipling and Mikan Shimoda are available year-round, with Crackendale, Made Glorious Summer, Fourth Rifles, The Wednesday and other seasonal and collaboration Pale Ales available throughout the year. Choose from single cans, cases or build your own mixed case.