What is the typical IBU range for Belgian Pale beers?

The typical International Bitterness Units (IBU) range for Belgian Pale beers is indeed around 20-35. This range reflects the balance that characterizes these beers, which are known for their malt-forward profiles along with moderate hopping.

Belgian Pale ales often exhibit a subtle hop bitterness that complements the sweetness of the malt without overshadowing the beer's overall flavor. The bitterness is important for adding complexity and balancing out the beer's sweetness and fruity esters typically produced by Belgian yeast strains.

The other ranges offered may not fully capture the characteristic profile of Belgian Pale ales; for example, a lower range like 15-30 might underrepresent the style's expected bitterness, while ranges such as 30-45 are more fitting for hop-forward styles like IPAs, which do not align with the traditional balance of a Belgian Pale ale. This connection between the IBU range and the overall flavor profile helps clarify why the 20-35 range is the most accurate for this style.