Mild Ales are lightly to moderately flavored and bodied English session drinking ales that are "mild" in their hop bitterness and flavor, generally low in alcohol content (<4% ABV), and of light to medium body. They can come in pale or dark (amber red to dark brown) varieties and both tend to emphasize a malty character with either a sweet or dry finish. The pale versions can be lightly fruity with a light sulfury or buttery aftertaste, and they generally do not travel well. The dark versions often take on deeper flavors just short of an English porter (grainy, caramel, toffee, toasty, roasty, nutty, chocolate, dark fruity, molasses, or licorice) and do not make for much better travel. Several examples have adjunct sugars incorporated in their recipes, and stronger version mild ales are sometimes produced for special occasions.
