TOPIC:

Don't wanna go off topic, esp on my own thread(!), but what would be prime examples of PA and IPA in your opinions? I'd like to try them all! <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) -->

bottled Hop Head is pretty close

An APA (American Pale Ale) is an American interpretation of a Pale Ale, normally light in colour and uses American hops such as Cascade. An IPA is normally more highly hopped and typically will have higher alcohol.

The most popular examples I can think of that are available over here would be

Pale Ale: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

IPA: Goose Island IPA, Anchor Liberty Ale

Galway Hooker is marketed as an Irish Pale Ale which when can be confusing as it shares the same initials as India Pale Ale.

I find hop head to be all hops and no sweetness to back it up, unlike Galway hooker.

Galway Hooker is nice but i don't think half as nice as Sierra Nevada PA. I would buy it in bottles though. I now alternate buying between Hop Head and SNP Ale. Also on drinkstore web the "butte creek" Organic pale ale is nice. I also think LONDON pride is quiet similar too, and its cheaper than the other two.

I've always wondered about this idea that GH is based on Sierra Nevada Pale Ale - SNPA is a quality brew no doubt, but the Hooker, as far as I'm concerned, is a more complex, flavourful beer - it has a spicy bitterness that's lacking in SNPA a and a whole range of other quite sweet Americans pale ales. The one bottled US beer that I have come across that I found similar to GH is Flying Dog's pale ale but fat chance of getting that in Ireland. They had a couple of six packs in Redmond's a while back but they're long gone.

As for English pale ales that have that same spicy bitterness, I agree with Tube, Dr O'Kells is definitely up there. I'm often disappointed with the bottled English ales - they never seem to live up to the cask-fresh versions (Landlord is just one example) but O'Kells has a great zesty, tangy bite. The bottle also some has very interesting Manx gaelic design. I wonder could a vintner be harassed into importing some?