Beer
Pale ale, counted from the badge
An ale family, a wide labelled range, and the same 10-gram standard drink as a lager.
- Typical labelled range
- ~4.5–6%
- 375 mL at 5%
- ~1.5
- One standard drink
- 10 g
- Fermentation family
- Ale
Pale ale is an ale — typically warmer-fermented than lager — not a guarantee that it is stronger. Many Australian pale ales are labelled around 4.5–6% ABV. A 375 mL can at 5% is about 1.5 standard drinks. Count the badge, not the colour of the glass.
Definition
Pale ale. An ale traditionally paler than older brown ales, with a wide modern ABV range. The name is not a serve size.
Pale ale versus lager
| Compare | Pale ale (typical) | Lager (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| Family | Ale (warmer fermentation, in the usual textbook split). | Lager (cooler fermentation). |
| Labelled ABV | Often a little higher than supermarket lager — not always. | Often around 4–5% for full-strength Australian lagers. |
| Counting | Same formula. Same 10 grams. | Same formula. Same 10 grams. |
Questions
Questions people actually ask
Sometimes, on the products in front of you. Not as a rule. Compare ABV.
Colour is not the count
If the tap says pale ale, you still need millilitres and a percentage. Then put the grams next to the guideline.