A strong pale ale is a type of beer that is similar to a pale ale except that the alcohol content is higher (5.5% to 6.3% by volume) and the bitterness from hops is higher as well, typically 35-48 on the IBU scale.

In the British Empire pale ales destined for India tended to spoil on the long sea journey. The ales were made stronger and with more hops in order to preserve the ales better.This works because hops contain acid which acts as a natural preservative. These ales often have IPA (India Pale Ale) in their name.