What makes a Pale Ale?

Beer Luvvas,

Unfortunately, I'm not ready to report the results of last weekend's Blind Pale Ale Bracket. Gooney Bird has not yet sent out the bracket for inclusion in my post.

However, I am ready to start a discussion that came up after the beers were revealed when a "winner" had been selected. What makes a Pale Ale? And what makes a Good Pale Ale?

I ask because there were questions about a couple of the beers in the competition: Deschutes Hop Trip Fresh Hopped Pale Ale and Boulder Brewing Hazed & Infused Dry-Hopped Pale Ale. Hopefully without revealing any possible results, I'm going to reveal that I enjoy both of these beers. The hop notes bring (IMO) flavor to an otherwise bland category.

But should these types of beers be considered Pale Ales for comparison against, say, Bridgeport's Blue Heron Pale - another entry that was questioned as to whether or not it qualified as a Pale - or Bass??

All of the beers listed, and the 32 tasted, were classified as Pale Ales on BeerAdvocate. But what do you think beer luvvas??

What makes a good pale ale?

I'll reveal the results of the blind tasting - and some of the shocking revelations I experienced in my first blind tasting, once I receive the bracket/results from Gooney.

Prost to basing beer choices on flavor and not marketing!