Beer Styles

What is a Pale Ale? The name means "light ale" and refers to a top-fermented beer with pronounced hop aroma and moderate bitterness. The American variant, the American Pale Ale, gets its character from hops like Cascade. According to the brewery, Little Creatures Pale Ale is considered the benchmark for Western Australia and was inspired by the American IPAs of its era.

What's the difference between Pale Ale and IPA? The India Pale Ale is the stronger sibling: more original gravity (the dissolved sugar in the wort, measured in degrees Plato), more alcohol, more hops. Feral Hop Hog is the regional example — a beer that tastes distinctly of hops without scorching the palate.

The second pillar is lager. Swan Draught and Swan Lager are pale, bottom-fermented beers, light in body and crisp in finish. "Draught" technically means draft beer, but here it's used as a brand name. Under the BJCP guidelines, a style catalogue used for competitions, a beer like this falls under "International Pale Lager."

The difference from ale lies in the yeast: lager tastes clean and neutral, ale fruitier and bolder. Both have their place, though in the heat many Western Australians reach for a lager. Pale Ale and IPA, meanwhile, show just how far a style can stretch: the same yeast, the same pale malt — only the amount of hops decides whether a beer tastes refreshing or demanding. The profiles alongside reflect competition ranges; individual beers may vary.