Ipa Beers: Why Are They So Popular?

India Pale Ale, or IPA, is a popular form of beer that is flavorful, aromatic, and bitter. The beer style originated in the 19th century when extra hops and alcohol were added to beer to preserve it during the long journey from England to India. Today, IPAs are known for their high hops content, which gives them a distinctive bitter flavor. While some people may associate IPAs with a particular culture or stereotype, the style is actually quite diverse, with many different varieties and flavors to explore. From entry-level IPAs that are perfect for beginners to complex, award-winning brews, there's an IPA for every taste. So, whether you're a craft beer enthusiast or just looking to try something new, IPAs are definitely worth checking out.

Why are IPAs so bitter?

India Pale Ales, or IPAs, are well-known for their bitterness, which comes from the higher-than-average amount of hops they contain. Hops are small, green pinecones that are harvested and dried, giving beer flavour, aroma, and bitterness. IPAs were first brewed in Britain, where sailors travelling to India needed a beer that would stay good during the long journey and in hot, humid temperatures. Hops were used as a preservative, and the beer was left with a bitter taste.

While not all IPAs are bitter, the bitterness of an IPA has a lot to do with a person's individual perception. Our taste buds can recognise sweet, salty, sour, umami, and bitter, and what may be evident bitterness to one craft beer drinker may be bracing to another. Our tastes can also change over time. You may not have enjoyed a highly-hopped IPA the first time you tried it, but over time, you might grow to enjoy the bitterness.

The popularity of bitter, hoppy IPAs could be linked to a larger movement: the changing of taste buds in America. Mitch Steele, the brewmaster of Stone Brewing Company in San Diego, explains that "it's a lot like coffee. If you don't like coffee, which most people don't the first time they try it, you get used to it. It becomes an acquired taste, and then you start enjoying some of the bitter components and things that you find."

While some people dislike the intense bitterness of IPAs, there is a growing movement in the craft beer world that is focused on flavour and defying conventions, creating a host of new options for those who prefer less bitterness. For example, the New England-style IPA is unfiltered, hazy, and has extremely low bitterness due to using blends of hops that lend intense, fruity flavour.

What are the best IPAs for beginners?

India Pale Ale, or IPA, is a popular form of beer that is known for its intense flavour and aroma. While IPAs are characterised by their hoppy bitterness, they can be too intense for some drinkers. However, there are several IPAs that are more suitable for beginners.

One such IPA is the Lagunitas IPA, which combines a refreshing citrus flavour with a toasted bread palate and a hint of floral invitation. It has a relatively low ABV of 6.5% and is widely available, making it a great entry point for those new to IPAs. Another popular option is the Ballast Point Grapefruit Sculpin, a dry beer with a twist of grapefruit that makes it more approachable for those who are not fans of the typical hoppy bitterness.

For those looking for something a little less bitter, the Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA is a great option. With an ABV of just 6%, it is lower in alcohol content and hop intensity while still offering a full-flavoured experience. The Bear Republic Racer 5 is another excellent choice for beginners, with a touch of fruity apricot flavour and fine bubbles that make it extremely drinkable.

Finally, the Bell's Two Hearted Ale is a well-balanced IPA with a fragrant, fluffy head and a vibrant amber colour. It has a slight malt backbone, making it a good choice for those who find West Coast IPAs too aggressive.

What are the most popular IPAs?

India Pale Ales, or IPAs, are extremely popular, and there are many varieties to choose from. Here are some of the most popular IPAs:

Ballast Point Sculpin

Ballast Point's Sculpin IPA is considered by many to be the greatest IPA of all time, having won 34 awards. It has a 7% ABV and 70 IBUs, making it drinkable while still packing a punch in terms of flavour. It pours a bold and golden colour, and the glass is filled with rich aromas. On the palate, you'll find flavours of grapefruit, pineapple, and peaches, with a dark, malty finish.

Dogfish Head 90-Minute IPA

This IPA has been named the best in America by Esquire and has a flavour profile to match. Hops are added to the brew over a 90-minute period, resulting in a rich, hoppy flavour and pungent aroma. It has a 9% ABV and 90 IBUs, making it one of the hoppiest and bitterest mainstream beers available.

Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing

This IPA from Sierra Nevada is a staple that can be found in most grocery or liquor stores. It's a well-balanced IPA that still packs a punch, with modest bitterness and a smooth finish. It's dry-hopped with Citra, Comet, Simcoe, El Dorado, and Mosaic hops, resulting in fruity notes.

Bell's Two Hearted Ale

This IPA is a staple in the Mid-Western brew scene, with a zesty fizz and delicious citrus flavour. It has a 7% ABV and is brewed with 100% Centennial hops. The crystal malt flavour balances the strong citrus buzz, making it suitable for any occasion.

New Belgium Voodoo Ranger

The Voodoo Ranger IPA from New Belgium is a popular entry-level IPA that can be found in grocery stores nationwide. It has a 7% ABV and 50 IBUs, with tropical notes and biting citrus flavours. It's one of the most accessible mainstream IPAs, making it a popular choice for cookouts and game days.

Lagunitas IPA

Lagunitas is one of the most renowned craft beer companies, and their IPA is a must-try. It's an American IPA that combines hoppiness and palatability, resulting in a satisfying and delicious brew. It has a 6.5% ABV and 51 IBUs, with flavours of orange, flowers, and piney hops, along with biscuit and Graham cracker malts.

Founders All Day IPA

Founders All Day IPA is a top-rated beer on Drizly, with almost 600 five-star reviews. It's described as "crisp, clean, refreshing, hoppy, bitter, light." It's a session IPA with a lower alcohol content, making it a great choice for those looking for a more drinkable IPA.

Firestone Walker Union Jack IPA

This IPA from Firestone Walker is one of the best West Coast IPAs available, and it can be found in stores nationwide. It has a decent blend of malts and hops, resulting in a palatable yet challenging beer. It has a 7% ABV, 60 IBUs, and a 10 on the beer colour scale, pouring a pale to medium amber colour. It's loaded with hops, giving it a dry finish, along with hints of sweet and honey-like malts.

What are the best IPAs for experienced drinkers?

India Pale Ales, or IPAs, are a popular form of beer that is flavorful, aromatic, and bitter. IPAs are made with more hops, which lend the brews a signature bitterness. However, there's more to IPAs than just bite, with nuances that can range from citrusy to herbaceous and even evergreen.

Ballast Point Sculpin IPA

Ballast Point's Sculpin IPA is considered by many to be the greatest IPA of all time, having collected 34 awards. It has a 7% ABV and 70 IBUs, making it drinkable while still offering a variety of flavor notes. It pours a bold and golden color, with rich aromatics of hops, lemon, pine, grass, and apricot. On the palate, it offers flavors of grapefruit, pineapple, and peaches, with a dark, malty finish.

Dogfish Head 90-Minute IPA

Dogfish Head 90-Minute IPA has been named the best IPA in America by Esquire and offers a rich, hoppy flavor and pungent aroma. With a 9% ABV and 90 IBUs, it is one of the hoppiest and bitterest mainstream beers. It has a foamy head that lingers and a well-balanced flavor profile, with notes of pineapple, tangerine, grapefruit, flowers, caramel, bread, and chocolate malts.

Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA

The Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA is a well-balanced, flagship IPA with plenty of complex flavors and aromas. It has a 7.2% ABV and 65 IBUs, offering a solid amber color and a clear body. It delivers taste notes of oranges, pineapples, bitter hops, toasted bread, and caramel.

Lagunitas IPA

Lagunitas is a renowned craft beer company, and its IPA is a must-try for any beer enthusiast. This American IPA combines hoppiness and palatability, resulting in a satisfying and delicious brew. It has a 6.5% ABV and 51 IBUs, with 43 different kinds of hops and 65 malts, creating a wide range of flavor notes, including orange, flowers, piney hops, biscuit, and Graham cracker malts.

Founders All Day IPA

Founders All Day IPA is a top-rated, crisp, clean, refreshing, hoppy, bitter, and light beer. It is widely available and perfect for those who want an IPA that is not too challenging to drink.

Bear Republic Racer 5

Bear Republic Racer 5 is an excellent choice for day drinking. It has fine bubbles and a touch of fruity apricot flavor, making it extremely easy to drink. There are also hints of fall spices, creating a cozy and comforting experience.

Russian River Pliny the Elder

Russian River Pliny the Elder is a complex and well-balanced beer with an 8% ABV and strong IBUs. It has a big beer presence without being too bitter, showcasing classic hop varieties like Amarillo, Centennial, and CTZ.

Lawson's Finest Liquids Sip of Sunshine IPA

This IPA has a fun name and is perfect for spending the day outdoors. It is juicy, tropical, and bright, with a BeerAdvocate score of 100.

Bell's Two Hearted Ale

Bell's Two Hearted Ale is a well-balanced, classic IPA with a 7% ABV. It has pine and grapefruit notes, a malt backbone, and a crisp, bitter finish, making it a great choice for experienced drinkers looking for a traditional IPA.

These are just a few suggestions for experienced drinkers looking to explore the world of IPAs. With a wide variety of flavors, aromas, and bitterness levels, there is an IPA to suit every taste.

What are the best IPAs for food pairings?

India Pale Ale, or IPA, is a popular form of beer that is known for its intense flavours. The bitterness of IPAs comes from their high hops content. While some people enjoy the bitter taste of IPAs, others may find it off-putting. However, when paired with the right food, IPAs can be a delightful complement to a meal. Here are some tips on how to pair IPAs with food like a pro:

Matching Intensity:

The key to successful beer and food pairing is matching the intensity of the flavours. The food shouldn't overpower the beer, and vice versa. Session-strength and regular-strength IPAs tend to work best for food pairings, as double, triple, and quadruple IPAs can have too much flavour and alcohol content (ABV), dominating the dish.

Complement the Hop Flavours:

Since IPAs are characterised by their hop-forward profile, look for food pairings that complement the hop flavours. Modern American IPAs often have fruit-driven profiles, making them a great match for dishes with similar fruity notes. For example, a New England IPA paired with ceviche can bring out the citrus and mango flavours in both the beer and the dish.

Use Carbonation to Cut Through Fat:

IPAs tend to be carbonated, which makes them a good choice for cutting through fatty, creamy, and rich dishes. The carbonation helps to reset the palate between bites. For instance, a classic American IPA like Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA goes well with fish and chips, especially when paired with a dipping sauce like tartar sauce.

Embrace Spicy Foods:

One surprising pairing for IPAs is spicy foods. IPAs can stand up to the rich flavours and intense spices of Thai and Indian cuisine. The carbonation and fortitude of the beer help to cut through the fat and keep your palate refreshed.

Lean into the Malt:

Don't forget about the malt profile when pairing IPAs with food. Some IPAs may have a more prominent grain bill than you realise, with biscuity, bready, or caramel flavours. For example, a spicy sausage calzone can be taken to the next level by pairing it with an IPA that has a bready malt profile. The carbonation will cut through the greasiness, and the malt will resonate with the baked dough.

Salty and Fried Food:

IPAs that are heavily bitter can be tricky to pair with food, as the beer may taste astringent. However, super-bitter IPAs work well with fried or salty foods. The salt and fat in these dishes can tone down the bitterness of the beer and highlight the malt flavours. For example, try pairing Stone Ruination IPA with Chex Mix or salted nuts.

Dessert Pairings:

Don't be afraid to pair IPAs with dessert! Slightly sweeter IPAs, such as English-style IPAs or maltier American IPAs, can complement sweet treats. For instance, Founders Centennial IPA pairs beautifully with tamarind or ginger-spiced chocolate truffles, while the malt in the beer enhances the caramel notes in milk chocolate.

Frequently asked questions