The Most Popular Ale, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the ale you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 9, 2024 06:29
Fans of ale know that choosing the right one can often feel like a daunting task, given the sheer number of options. From breweries scattered across the globe producing their unique twists on this classic beverage, having a consensus on the best varieties can serve as a valuable guide. By compiling preferences and opinions from a broad audience, a clearer picture of top choices emerges, helping both newcomers and aficionados make informed decisions.
This dynamic listing not only reflects current user preferences but also adjusts as new votes are cast, ensuring the rankings offer the latest insights. Whether it is a robust stout or a refreshing pale ale, your participation helps shape this ongoing survey. Every vote cast contributes to the live update of this list, providing a current snapshot of popular preferences across our user base.
What Is the Most Popular Ale?
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173votes
Harald Bischoff · CC BY-SA 3.0Guinness Draught
Arthur GuinnessGuinness is one of the most recognizable beer brands globally, and their Draught Ale is a staple of Irish pubs worldwide. It is a dark, rich, and creamy beer with a distinct flavor profile.Guinness Draught is a popular dark ale known for its creamy texture and unique flavor. It was first brewed by Arthur Guinness in 1959 and has since become an iconic Irish stout. Made with roasted barley, hops, water, and yeast, Guinness Draught is nitrogen-infused, resulting in a smooth and velvety mouthfeel. The deep black color, thick white head, and characteristic cascading effect when poured make it instantly recognizable. Here are some important specs about Guinness Draught:- Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 4.2%
- Calories: 125 per 12 oz. serving
- Color: Dark brown to black
- Taste: Rich and roasted with subtle notes of chocolate and coffee
- Aroma: Toasty and malty
Guinness Draught in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular Guinness beer
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232votes
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.Sierra Nevada is a popular craft brewery in the United States, and their Pale Ale is one of the most popular ales in the country. It is a well-balanced and hoppy beer with a crisp finish.Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is a highly regarded American pale ale known for its vibrant hop aroma and exceptional balance of malt sweetness and hop bitterness. It pours a rich amber color with a creamy off-white head. This beer features a pronounced citrusy and floral hop flavor, backed by a slightly caramel malt backbone. It has a medium body and a crisp, refreshing finish.- Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 5.6%
- Hop Variety: Cascade
- Malt Variety: Two-row Pale, Caramel
- Color: Amber
- Bitterness (IBU): 38
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular craft beer in America
- Position 9 of 10 in Most popular beer in America
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327votes
LeeKeoma · CC0Fuller's London Pride
Fuller's BreweryLondon Pride is a classic English ale that has been brewed since 1959. It is a smooth and malty beer with a subtle hoppy finish.Fuller's London Pride is a popular ale that embodies the essence of London. Known for its rich, smooth, and balanced taste, it is a quintessential example of a traditional British ale. This beer has a deep amber color with a creamy off-white head. The aroma is a delightful combination of malts, floral hops, and fruity esters. The flavor profile is complex, featuring notes of caramel, toffee, biscuit, and a gentle bitterness from the hops. Fuller's London Pride has a medium body and a moderate level of carbonation, providing a satisfying mouthfeel. It has an ABV (Alcohol by Volume) of 4.7%, making it a sessionable and easy-drinking ale. This iconic beer was created by Fuller's Brewery, an esteemed London-based brewery with a rich brewing history dating back to 1845.- Color: Deep amber
- Head: Creamy off-white
- Aroma: Malts, floral hops, fruity esters
- Flavor profile: Caramel, toffee, biscuit, gentle bitterness
- Body: Medium
Fuller's London Pride in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular beer in London
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414votes
Kuriosatempel · CC BY-SA 4.0Newcastle Brown Ale is a popular beer in the United Kingdom and is known for its distinctive brown bottle. It is a smooth and nutty beer with a slightly sweet finish.Newcastle Brown Ale is a popular beer that originated in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It is a rich and full-bodied brown ale with a distinct malty flavor and a slightly sweet caramel undertone. The beer has a deep amber color and a smooth, creamy texture, making it a delight to drink.- Type: Brown Ale
- ABV (Alcohol By Volume): 4.7-5.2%
- IBU (International Bitterness Units): 18-20
- Color: Dark amber/brown
- Aroma: Malty, nutty, toffee
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518votes
Samuel Adams Boston Lager
Jim KochSamuel Adams is a popular craft brewery in the United States, and their Boston Lager is one of their flagship beers. It is a well-balanced and flavorful beer with a crisp finish.Samuel Adams Boston Lager is a classic American amber lager known for its rich and complex flavor profile. It was created by Jim Koch, the founder of the Samuel Adams Brewery. This lager has gained immense popularity for its balanced combination of malt and hop flavors, making it a go-to choice for beer enthusiasts. The malty sweetness is complemented by a crisp hop bitterness, resulting in a smooth and refreshing drinking experience.- Beer Style: Amber Lager
- Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 4.9%
- International Bitterness Units (IBU): 30
- Color: Amber
- Aroma: Caramel, floral, and citrus notes
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67votes
Harp Lager
Arthur Guinness & SonHarp Lager is an Irish beer that is popular around the world. It is a light and refreshing beer with a crisp finish.Harp Lager is a popular ale known for its crisp and refreshing taste. It is brewed using a unique combination of malted barley and hops, resulting in a smooth and balanced flavor profile. This golden lager offers a clean and slightly bitter finish, making it a favorite among beer enthusiasts worldwide.- Type: Lager
- ABV: 4.5%
- Color: Golden
- IBU: 20
- Aroma: Mild hop notes with bread-like maltiness
Harp Lager in other rankings- Position 4 of 10 in Most popular drink in Northern Ireland
- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular beer in Ireland
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710votes
Bass Ale
The Bass Brewery CompanyBass Ale is a classic English beer that has been brewed since 1777. It is a well-balanced and flavorful beer with a slightly bitter finish.Bass Ale is a well-known and prominent English pale ale with a rich history dating back to the 18th century. It is revered for its distinctive red triangle logo and its balanced flavor profile that combines fruity and malty notes with a subtle hop bitterness.- Alcohol by volume (ABV): 4.4%
- Color: Amber
- Ingredients: Water, malted barley, hops, yeast
- Fermentation: Top-fermented
- Availability: Year-round
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84votes
Magic Hat #9
Magic Hat Brewing CompanyMagic Hat #9 is a popular craft beer in the United States. It is a fruity and refreshing beer with a slightly sweet finish.Magic Hat #9 is a popular ale known for its unique flavor profile and vibrant packaging. It is an American-style pale ale with a twist, brewed with a hint of apricot essence. The beer has a balanced taste, combining the bitterness of hops with the sweetness of fruit for a refreshing and enjoyable drinking experience.- Style: American-style pale ale
- Flavor: Apricot essence
- ABV: 5.1%
- IBU: 20
- Color: Amber
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93votes
Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA
Dogfish Head Craft BreweryDogfish Head is a popular craft brewery in the United States, and their 60 Minute IPA is one of their most popular beers. It is a hoppy and flavorful beer with a crisp finish.Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA is a popular India Pale Ale (IPA) known for its hop-forward flavor and citrusy aroma. It is brewed by Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, located in Milton, Delaware, United States.- Style: India Pale Ale (IPA)
- Alcohol by volume (ABV): 6.0%
- International Bitterness Units (IBU): 60
- Hops: Amarillo, Simcoe, Warrior
- Malts: Pilsner, Crystal
Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA in other rankings- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular craft beer in America
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104votes
Brooklyn Lager
Brooklyn BreweryBrooklyn Lager is a popular craft beer in the United States. It is a well-balanced and flavorful beer with a crisp finish.Brooklyn Lager is a classic American amber lager that revolutionized the craft beer scene. It is a well-balanced and flavorful beer that appeals to both beer enthusiasts and casual drinkers. With a deep amber color and a robust, malty flavor profile, Brooklyn Lager delivers a delicious combination of toasty caramel, floral hops, and a crisp finish.- Type: Amber Lager
- ABV: 5.2%
- IBU: 33
- Color: Deep Amber
- Malts: American Two-row, German Pilsner, Crystal
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Ranking factors for popular ale
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Consumer reviews and ratingsOnline reviews and ratings from websites such as BeerAdvocate, RateBeer, and Untappd provide valuable insight into the quality and flavor profile of the ale from the perspective of actual consumers.
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Brand reputation and loyaltyA strong, respected, and well-known brand can indicate an ale's popularity among consumers. If the brand has a significant following and high brand loyalty, it is more likely to have a popular ale in its portfolio.
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Awards and accoladesWinning prestigious awards or consistently scoring well in expert or competition rankings shows that an ale has been recognized for its quality and can be considered popular among industry professionals.
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Flavor profile and uniquenessA popular ale should offer something unique and interesting in terms of flavor profile, setting it apart from competitors. This can lead to increased consumer interest and demand, making it more popular.
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Availability and distributionWidespread availability and a strong distribution network can help make an ale more popular, as it is easier for consumers to find and purchase.
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Marketing and promotionEffective marketing campaigns and promotions can boost an ale's popularity by creating buzz and raising awareness.
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Price point and affordabilityThe price of an ale can affect its popularity, as affordability may attract a larger audience of beer drinkers.
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Cultural significance or historyAles associated with certain cultural events, holidays, or historical significance may enjoy increased popularity due to the connection with these occasions or traditions.
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Personal preferenceUltimately, personal preference plays a significant role in determining the popularity of an ale. An ale that appeals to a wide range of tastes and preferences is more likely to be popular among different segments of the beer-drinking population.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular ale. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or ale is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 3436 views
- 187 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each ale once every 24 hours. The rank of each ale is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular ale
Ale has been a beloved beverage for centuries, with its origins dating back to ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. It is brewed using a top-fermenting yeast, which gives it a unique taste and aroma compared to other types of beer. The popularity of ale has only grown over time, with countless variations and styles available to suit every taste. From classic English ales to hoppy American IPAs, there is no shortage of options when it comes to this beloved brew. So whether you prefer a pint of bitter, a smooth porter, or a refreshing wheat beer, there's sure to be an ale out there that will satisfy your taste buds.
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