Beavertown Brewery
Beavertown Gamma Ray
The British-brewed American pale ale that reached supermarket and pub distribution first, and the entry point many British drinkers used into the style.
- Strength
- 5.4% ABV
- Style
- American pale ale
- Brewery
- Beavertown Brewery
Also called Gamma Ray.
American pale ale in Britain was a specialist purchase until a handful of beers reached general distribution, and this was among the first. What it demonstrates is a British brewery building on American hops without the beer becoming an IPA: the bitterness stays moderate, and the interest is in tropical and citrus aroma rather than in bite.
It is the useful contrast with Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, which is the same nominal style thirty years earlier and a very different beer — piney and firmly bitter where this is fruity and soft. Between them they show how much of the style is hop selection rather than construction.
What it tastes like
Inherited from American pale ale, because this beer sits within the normal range for it. BeerHQ’s comparative scale, not a measurement.
Why BeerHQ carries this beer
| Reason | Carried because it is where many people start |
|---|---|
| Strength | 5.4% ABV — checked 2026-08-19. Strengths differ by market and change without announcement, so this is dated rather than absolute. |
| Record stability | Moderate — some details are expected to drift and should be re-checked periodically. |
BeerHQ records no recipe, hop bill, malt bill, yeast strain, IBU or calorie figure for any commercial beer unless it is sourced. Nothing on this page is inferred from what the beer tastes like.
What is distinctive about it
- One of the first British-brewed American pale ales in general distribution
- Aroma-led rather than bitterness-led, which separates modern examples from the 1980s original
If you like Beavertown Gamma Ray
Worked out from what this beer actually tastes like rather than from what its style typically does. Three kinds of move, because “what should I try next” is three different questions.
Closest to it
Very similar in structure and flavour. Safe ground rather than discovery.
British golden ale — try Oakham Citra or St Austell Tribute
A close structural match for Beavertown Gamma Ray — a likely fit if you want more of the same.
Different: slightly less carbonation (moderate → low).
May not suit: Very close to Beavertown Gamma Ray; if you wanted a change, this is not it.
American amber ale — try New Belgium Fat Tire
A close structural match for Beavertown Gamma Ray — a likely fit if you want more of the same.
Different: noticeably less dryness (moderate → none–trace).
May not suit: Noticeably less dryness than Beavertown Gamma Ray.
American IPA — try Sierra Nevada Torpedo or BrewDog Punk IPA
A close structural match for Beavertown Gamma Ray — a likely fit if you want more of the same.
Different: noticeably more tropical fruit (none–trace → moderate–high).
May not suit: Noticeably more tropical fruit than Beavertown Gamma Ray.
Similar, but different
Keeps what you probably like about it and changes one or two things. Usually the most useful answer.
Blonde ale — try Firestone Walker 805
Keeps most of what Beavertown Gamma Ray does and shifts bitterness.
Different: slightly less bitterness (moderate–high → low).
May not suit: Very close to Beavertown Gamma Ray; if you wanted a change, this is not it.
Keeps most of what Beavertown Gamma Ray does and shifts alcohol warmth.
Different: slightly more alcohol warmth (none–trace → low).
May not suit: Very close to Beavertown Gamma Ray; if you wanted a change, this is not it.
English IPA — try Thornbridge Jaipur or St Austell Proper Job
Keeps most of what Beavertown Gamma Ray does and shifts citrus.
Different: noticeably less citrus (moderate–high → none–trace).
May not suit: Noticeably less citrus than Beavertown Gamma Ray.
A bigger jump
Genuinely different, but connected by something specific — the shared trait is named so you can judge whether the bridge holds.
Both carry real hop aroma, which is the thread to follow if that is what you like about Beavertown Gamma Ray.
Different: slightly less sweetness (low → trace).
May not suit: Very close to Beavertown Gamma Ray; if you wanted a change, this is not it.
India pale lager — try Jack’s Abby Hoponius Union
Both carry real hop aroma, which is the thread to follow if that is what you like about Beavertown Gamma Ray.
Different: slightly more dryness (moderate → high).
May not suit: Very close to Beavertown Gamma Ray; if you wanted a change, this is not it.
Czech premium pale lager — try Pilsner Urquell or Budweiser Budvar
Both carry real hop aroma, which is the thread to follow if that is what you like about Beavertown Gamma Ray.
Different: noticeably less citrus (moderate–high → none–trace).
May not suit: Noticeably less citrus than Beavertown Gamma Ray.
Likely fits rather than promises. Taste varies, and a recommendation engine that claims certainty is claiming something it cannot know.
What to eat with it
Inherited from American pale ale. BeerHQ does not duplicate pairings onto individual products unless the product genuinely differs from its style.
- Burger
Enough bitterness and carbonation to handle the fat, enough citrus hop character to stand alongside the char, and not so much of either that you stop tasting the food.
- Pad Thai
Bitterness, carbonation and a dry finish scrub the fat off the palate, so each mouthful of food tastes as good as the first.
- Adobo
Bitterness, carbonation and a dry finish scrub the fat off the palate, so each mouthful of food tastes as good as the first.
- Gyoza
Bitterness, carbonation and a dry finish scrub the fat off the palate, so each mouthful of food tastes as good as the first.
Keeping it
American pale ale shows best within 2–4 months of packaging. After that it declines in quality rather than becoming unsafe.
Drink fresh. Buy it as young as you can and drink it soon. What makes this beer worth drinking is the first thing to leave it.
Derived from American pale ale. See storage and freshness for the full model.
BeerHQ carries a small set of reference beers to anchor styles, not a catalogue. There is no rating here and there will not be one. Last reviewed 2026-08-19.