Is "pale" the same as "light?"

Thor · Feb 17, 2006

This may be a dumb question, but so be it...

I am an extract brewer. A few recipes I am considering call for "pale" extract, but some online stores only seem to sell "light" extract. Is it the same? Is it interchangeable?

Thanks!

Janx · Feb 17, 2006

Yes, in that case, pale and light are the same.

However, as a descriptor of a finished beer, they are very different. There are a lot of pale beers out there that have enormous bitterness and alcohol content and are anything but "light"

Cheers

drengel · Feb 17, 2006

pale is just a description of the color, so light/pale whatever you want to call it.

SteveM · Feb 17, 2006

And to further muddle the picture, a pale ale is not necessarily pale like a Bud. They are pale compared to stouts and the like. It's all relative.

Janx · Feb 17, 2006

And in fact, extract is never very pale at all...you can't make a Pilsner with extract for example.

david_42 · Feb 17, 2006

They are the same for straight extract. Ditto, ultralight and extra pale.

However, if a kit is described as being a light ale, it probably contains wheat extract or rice syrup.

Is "pale" the same as "light?"

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Is "pale" the same as "light?"

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