The Hipster Ipa: Fad Or Forever?

India Pale Ale, or IPA, is a beer style that has become increasingly popular. Characterised by its hoppy profile, IPAs come in a variety of colours and flavours. The term hipster is often associated with craft beer and independent labels, and IPAs are no exception. With their experimental flavours and diverse range of hops, IPAs have cultivated a following among those seeking unique and innovative beverages. While the association between IPAs and hipsters may vary depending on region and personal perspective, it's clear that IPAs have made a significant impact on the beer landscape.

IPAs are popular with hipsters due to their bitter taste

IPAs, or India Pale Ales, are a type of beer known for their hoppy flavour profile. While IPAs come in many varieties, they are often characterised by their bitterness. This is due to the hops used in the brewing process, which can also impart flavours such as citrus, tropical fruit, and pine.

The bitter taste of IPAs has made them particularly popular with hipsters. While the exact reasons for this preference are unclear, it may be because hipsters tend to favour unique, complex, and sometimes acquired tastes that set them apart from mainstream culture. The bitterness of IPAs, especially when paired with unusual flavour notes, may appeal to hipsters seeking a beer that is distinct from more widely consumed beers.

For example, the Hipster IPA by Iron Hill Brewery is a hazy New England-style IPA crafted by "tight-pants wearing brewers." It blends wheat and oats with All American hops, resulting in notes of melon, mango, and pine. Another example is the West Coast IPA, which is known for its high IBUs (International Bittering Units) and strong flavours that caught the attention of drinkers.

In addition to the bitter taste, the craft nature of IPAs may also contribute to their appeal among hipsters. Craft beers often emphasise unique or experimental flavours, small-batch production, and local or independent brewing. These characteristics can align with hipster values that prioritise individuality, authenticity, and a departure from mainstream or corporate culture.

While IPAs are commonly associated with hipsters, it is worth noting that beer preferences can vary widely among individuals and communities. Additionally, the term "hipster" itself is fluid and can mean different things to different people. Ultimately, the appeal of IPAs to hipsters may lie in a combination of factors, including their bitter taste, unique flavours, and association with craft brewing.

The hazy, New England-style IPA is a hipster favourite

At its core, a hazy IPA is an offshoot of the modern American-style IPA, characterised by its intense fruit flavours, soft body, and smooth mouthfeel. The haze in these beers is created by brewing with grains that have a higher protein content, such as oats and wheat, which contribute to a softer, silkier mouthfeel. The New England-style IPA, or NEIPA, takes this a step further, with a thicker mouthfeel, cloudier appearance, and more aromatic profile.

The hazy, New England-style IPA first gained popularity in the early 2010s, with Vermont-based brewery The Alchemist often credited for coining the style with their famous double IPA, Heady Topper. Since then, the style has spread across the country, with breweries both big and small adopting it into their portfolios. The haze craze shows no signs of stopping, with the New England-style IPA ranking second on Untappd's Top 10 Styles of 2021 with 6.1 million check-ins.

So, why is the hazy, New England-style IPA a hipster favourite? Perhaps it's the combination of fruity flavours, the silky mouthfeel, and the trendy cloudy appearance that appeals to the hipster palate. Whatever the reason, this style of beer has become a staple in the craft beer world, and it doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon.

Hipsters drink IPAs because they like bitter foods and drinks

Hipsters have been associated with IPAs, and while it is a stereotype, there may be some truth to it. One reason why hipsters might favour IPAs is that they tend to enjoy bitter foods and drinks. The hops in IPAs provide a bitter taste, which some people enjoy.

IPAs, or India Pale Ales, are known for their strong hoppy flavour, which can be divisive. While some people love the bitterness of IPAs, others find it off-putting. However, it is worth noting that not all IPAs are extremely bitter. The level of bitterness can vary depending on the specific type of IPA and the brewing techniques used. For example, New England-style IPAs tend to be less bitter than West Coast IPAs.

The perception of bitterness in IPAs has also changed over time. In the past, brewers often used larger amounts of hops, resulting in a more bitter taste. However, today's brewers are experimenting with different techniques to reduce bitterness and bring out other flavours. For instance, dry-hopping, or adding hops after the boil, can enhance the aromatic and flavour nuances of the beer.

Additionally, individual palates can change over time. Someone who initially disliked IPAs may eventually acquire a taste for them. This phenomenon is not unique to IPAs but applies to other bitter foods and drinks as well, such as dark chocolate or black coffee. Repeated exposure to bitter flavours can cause a person's palate to shift and develop an appreciation for them.

In conclusion, while the association between hipsters and IPAs may be stereotypical, it is possible that hipsters gravitate towards IPAs because they appreciate bitter flavours. However, it is important to remember that not all IPAs are equally bitter, and individual preferences can vary.

IPAs are a broad term, with many different colours and flavours

IPAs, or India Pale Ales, are a broad and flexible style of beer. The acronym "IPA" is beloved by craft beer enthusiasts, and the beer style has exploded in popularity. IPAs are characterised by their use of hops, which lend a range of flavour notes, including bitter, floral, earthy, citrusy, piney, and fruity. While IPAs are often associated with bitterness, modern IPAs explore a wider range of fruity flavours. The style has evolved to include numerous variations, each with its own unique characteristics.

The colour of an IPA can vary from pale gold to red, copper, medium amber, or even dark brown to black. The broad category of IPAs includes American, Belgian, English, Imperial (Double), Black, Rye, and New England IPAs, each with distinct features. For example, American IPAs are often divided into East Coast and West Coast styles, with the former being more balanced and the latter known for aggressive hoppiness. Belgian IPAs, inspired by American IPAs, are heavily hopped and may be more or less cloudy. English IPAs, the original IPAs, are less intensely hoppy, with a balance of malt and hop flavours. Imperial IPAs, also known as Double IPAs, have a higher hop concentration and stronger flavours. Black IPAs have roasted malt notes that lend chocolate and coffee flavours, while Rye IPAs retain the aggressive hoppiness of American IPAs with added spiciness from the rye.

The New England IPA, or hazy IPA, is currently one of the most popular styles. It is unfiltered, resulting in a hazy appearance, and has very low bitterness due to blends of hops that emphasise fruity flavours. These IPAs often have lower carbonation and can resemble orange juice in both appearance and flavour.

The versatility of IPAs allows for a wide range of flavours, colours, and styles, making them accessible to a diverse range of beer enthusiasts. Whether you prefer the classic English IPA or the trendy New England IPA, there is an IPA style to suit varying tastes and preferences.

IPAs were first brewed in England in the 1700s

India Pale Ale (IPA) is a hoppy beer style within the broader category of pale ales. The history of IPAs dates back to the 1700s in England, where they were first brewed and exported to India, which was under the control of the British East India Company.

The origin story of IPAs is often attributed to George Hodgson, a brewer at the Bow Brewery in East London, who began sending his pale ale to India with extra hops and increased alcohol content. The hops and high alcohol content helped preserve the beer during its long sea journey from England to India, creating a bitter and stronger pale ale that was more refreshing in the hot Indian climate. However, this origin story is a simplified version of the truth.

In reality, English breweries had been exporting beer to India successfully since the beginning of the 18th century, and there was already a demand for pale ale in the Indian market. By the 1760s, breweries learned that adding extra hops helped fortify the beer for the voyage to warmer climates, and this practice was applied to not just pale ales but also porters and ales.

While George Hodgson was not the first brewer to export beer to India, he gained popularity among East India Company traders due to the proximity of his brewery to the East India Docks and his liberal credit line of 18 months. However, the East India Company eventually sought new brewing partners, and brewers in Burton upon Trent improved upon Hodgson's recipe, taking over the Indian market.

By the early 19th century, demand for the export-style pale ale, now known as "India Pale Ale", grew in England, and by the 1840s, it became one of England's best-selling beers. The popularity of IPAs in England waned by the start of the 20th century but was revived in the early 1970s during the craft beer revolution in America, where brewers experimented with new styles of hops and created the various styles of IPAs available today.

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