An American Pale Ale recipe doesn’t need to be complicated to be great. Old Timber Pale Ale is built around balance, drinkability, and classic American ingredients — the kind of beer that reminds you why this style became a cornerstone of craft beer in the first place.
This is not a hazy beer. It’s not juicy. And it’s not trying to push boundaries. Instead, it focuses on a clean malt backbone, familiar hop character, and a smooth bitterness that stays firmly out of IPA territory. It’s the kind of pale ale you can brew often, share easily, and enjoy pint after pint.
If you enjoy traditional American pale ales like Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Deschutes Mirror Pond, or Dale’s Pale Ale, this recipe should feel immediately familiar.
What Is Old Timber Pale Ale?
Old Timber Pale Ale is a classic American Pale Ale recipe with moderate bitterness, a clean fermentation profile, and balanced malt and hop character. It sits right in the middle of the style — hop-forward without being aggressive, flavorful without being heavy, and approachable without being boring.
This recipe avoids modern extremes and leans into proven fundamentals. The result is a dependable, no-nonsense pale ale that works just as well as a house beer as it does as a teaching recipe for newer all-grain brewers.
Malt Profile
The malt bill starts with American 2-row, providing a clean, highly fermentable base that keeps the beer crisp and neutral. Maris Otter adds subtle malt depth and a touch of breadiness, giving the beer more character than straight 2-row alone.
A small addition of Munich malt brings structure and a light toasty backbone, helping the beer feel complete without pushing it into amber territory. Carapils (dextrine malt) rounds things out by improving body and head retention without adding sweetness.
The goal here is balance — enough malt presence to support the hops, but never enough to get in the way.
Hop Character
Old Timber Pale Ale uses classic American hops to deliver familiar citrus and floral notes. Cascade provides grapefruit and light floral aromatics, while Centennial hops add brightness and balance, helping firm up the bitterness without making it harsh.
The bitterness is smooth and measured, and the late hop additions enhance flavor and aroma without turning this beer into an IPA. It’s hop-forward in the traditional sense — clean, confident, and easy to drink.
Yeast & Fermentation
A clean American ale yeast keeps fermentation neutral and predictable, allowing the malt and hops to do the talking. Fermenting in the low to mid-60s Fahrenheit helps maintain a clean profile with minimal ester production.
Why Brew Old Timber Pale Ale?
-
Classic American Pale Ale character
-
Simple, easy-to-source ingredients
-
Balanced malt and hop profile
-
Great house beer or everyday drinker
-
Ideal recipe for all-grain brewers
This is a beer you can brew year-round without overthinking it.
Old Timber Pale Ale – Full Recipe
Batch Specifications
-
Batch Size (into fermenter): 5.5 gallons
-
Boil Size: 7.0 gallons
-
ABV: ~6.0%
-
IBU: ~41
-
SRM: ~5.5
Grain Bill (11 lb total)
-
6.0 lb American 2-Row
-
3.25 lb Maris Otter
-
1.25 lb Munich Malt
-
0.5 lb Carapils (Dextrine Malt)
Hop Schedule
-
1.0 oz Cascade – 60 minutes
-
0.5 oz Centennial – 30 minutes
-
0.5 oz Cascade – 30 minutes
-
0.5 oz Cascade – Whirlpool, 15 minutes
-
0.5 oz Centennial – Whirlpool, 15 minutes
Yeast
-
SafAle US-05
-
Wyeast 1056
-
White Labs WLP001
Mash Schedule
-
Mash at 152°F for 60 minutes
Final Thoughts
Old Timber Pale Ale proves that great beer doesn’t require complexity. With a clean malt backbone, classic American hop character, and a straightforward brewing process, this recipe delivers exactly what an American Pale Ale should be — balanced, flavorful, and endlessly drinkable.
If you’re looking for a dependable pale ale you can brew again and again, this one earns a permanent spot in your rotation.
Get More Beer Recipes Like This
If you enjoyed this recipe, you’ll love the Make Beer Easy newsletter.
👉 I send out free beer recipes, brewing tips, and behind-the-scenes content on a regular basis — no fluff, no spam.
👉 Sign up for the free newsletter on the side of the blog!
Cheers,
Big Robb is out!