The Ultimate Guide To Rating Ipas

India Pale Ale (IPA) is a hoppy and bitter beer with a high alcohol content. The standard version is the American IPA, with an ABV of 5.0-7.0. However, there are many different types of IPAs, including the East Coast IPA, the West Coast IPA, the New England IPA, and the British IPA. When rating an IPA, it is important to consider the beer's appearance, aroma, flavour, mouthfeel, and overall impression. The appearance includes the colour and clarity of the beer, while the aroma can be hoppy, malty, fruity, or spicy. The flavour can be bitter, sweet, or sour, and the mouthfeel can be thin, creamy, or astringent. The overall impression is how well the beer embodies the style and how enjoyable it is to drink.

Flavour: from fruity to bitter

India Pale Ale (IPA) is a hop-forward, bitter and dry beer. However, the bitterness varies between different types of IPAs. For example, the "West Coast IPA" is known for its powerful bitterness, while the "East Coast IPA" is more balanced, with a malt sweetness and a hint of bitterness.

The perception of bitterness in beer is influenced by other factors such as acidity and sweetness, which can counterbalance or mask the bitter taste. Additionally, the process of dry-hopping, where hops are steeped in fermenting beer instead of being added during boiling, can amplify the fruity notes of the hops without adding any bitterness.

The type of hops used also plays a role in the flavour profile of IPAs. Old-school hops like Cascade have pungent floral and piney notes, while modern hops bring flavours of pineapple, pear, apricot, mango, berry, white grape, and melon. The variety of hops used contributes to the overall flavour profile of the beer, which can range from fruity to bitter.

When it comes to specific types of IPAs, the British IPA is known for being malty, bitter, and one-noted, while the West Coast IPA balances bitterness with crispness, higher carbonation, and tropical fruit notes. The New England IPA, on the other hand, has extremely low bitterness and intense fruity flavours, often tasting like a fruit cobbler.

So, while IPAs are generally associated with bitterness, the flavour profile can vary significantly depending on the type of IPA, the hops used, and other factors that influence the perception of bitterness.

Alcohol content: ABV range of 5-7%

When it comes to rating an IPA beer, one of the key factors to consider is its alcohol content. IPAs typically have an ABV (alcohol by volume) ranging from 5% to 7%, which is considered the average range for beers. This range offers a balance between flavour and alcohol content, making them a popular choice for craft beer enthusiasts.

Within the IPA category, there are several styles that fall within this ABV range, each with its unique characteristics. The standard American IPA, for example, typically falls within the 5% to 7% ABV range. It is known for its prominent hoppy and bitter notes, showcasing modern American or New World hop varieties. The balance leans towards the hop-forward side, with a clean fermentation profile and a dryish finish. The malt character is clean and supportive, allowing the creative range of hop flavours to shine through.

Another style within this ABV range is the East Coast IPA, which offers a more balanced approach. While still showcasing a prominent hop presence, East Coast IPAs tend to have more malt sweetness, resulting in a slightly lower ABV. This style often features citrus and fruity hop characters, reminiscent of traditional English IPAs. The bitterness is present but not as assertive as in other styles.

In contrast, the West Coast IPA emphasises bitterness and pushes maltiness to the background. This style is stronger and more heavily hopped than an American Pale Ale, resulting in a slightly higher ABV that still falls within the 5% to 7% range. West Coast IPAs often showcase big tropical fruit notes, a crisp body, and higher carbonation.

When evaluating an IPA within this ABV range, consider the balance between malt sweetness and hop bitterness. The type of hops used and their origin can also play a significant role in the overall flavour profile. Modern American or New World hops will contribute to a more assertive and creative hop character, while certain styles like the East Coast IPA may lean towards more traditional English hop varieties with citrus and fruity notes.

Additionally, the fermentation profile and finish of the beer come into play. A clean fermentation profile and a dryish finish are characteristic of IPAs within this ABV range, allowing the hop flavours to take centre stage. The malt presence should complement and support the hops without overwhelming them.

Maltiness: from sweet to dry

When rating an IPA beer, it's important to consider the maltiness of the beverage, which can range from sweet to dry. Maltiness is influenced by the amount of malt used in the brewing process and can significantly impact the overall taste and balance of the beer.

Malt, derived from germinated cereal grains, is a crucial ingredient in the brewing process. It provides the sugars necessary for fermentation and contributes to the flavour, aroma, and mouthfeel of the final product. The type and amount of malt used can vary depending on the style of IPA being brewed.

For example, the "East Coast IPA" is known for its malt sweetness, which is balanced with citrus and fruity hop characters. This style is more reminiscent of traditional English IPAs, which tend to be maltier, bitter, and less hoppy. In contrast, the "West Coast IPA" pushes maltiness to the background, emphasising bitterness and a higher hop content.

The "Imperial India Pale Ale (IIPA)" or "Double IPA (DIPA)" is another style that showcases the range of maltiness. While it is intensely hoppy and strong, it lacks the complex maltiness and residual sweetness of an American Barley Wine. This style implies a stronger version of an IPA, typically with a higher alcohol content.

When assessing maltiness, consider the intensity of the malt flavour and how it interacts with other components such as hops and yeast. The maltiness of an IPA can range from a subtle, supporting role to a dominant, sweet presence, depending on the style and brewing techniques employed.

Additionally, the dryness of an IPA is also an important factor to consider. IPAs are often described as having a "dry finish," which means they lack the residual sweetness found in some other styles of beer. This dryness can be a result of the fermentation process and the specific yeast strains used, which consume most of the sugars during fermentation, resulting in a drier, less sweet beer.

Hoppiness: from single to double dry-hopped

Hoppiness is a defining feature of many American beer styles, and brewers have developed numerous methods to impart as much hop character as possible. Dry-hopping is the process of steeping hops in fermenting beer instead of boiling them. This creates an extremely strong aroma, amplifying the fruity, piney, and candy-sweet notes of the hops, without adding any bitterness.

Double dry-hopping is a technique that involves making two dry hop additions at separate times. While there is no technical definition of double dry-hopping, it generally refers to the addition of hops post-fermentation on two different days. The first addition typically happens one week before kegging, and the second dose comes in four days before kegging. This process adds a burst of hop flavor and increases the complexity of the beer.

Some brewers believe that double dry-hopping results in a stronger dry hop character. By dividing the hops into two additions, compounds are extracted at different rates, leading to a desirable difference in the final beer. However, it is worth noting that in taste tests, participants were unable to reliably distinguish between an American IPA that was double dry-hopped and one that received all of the dry hops at once, even when using the same total amount of hops. This suggests that the perceptible impact of double dry-hopping may be minimal.

Ultimately, the choice between single and double dry-hopping depends on the brewer's goals and preferences. Double dry-hopping can result in louder aromas and a more complex beer, but it is also a slightly longer process. Single dry-hopping, on the other hand, can still impart a significant amount of hop character to the beer while being a simpler and more straightforward technique.

Colour: from medium gold to light reddish-amber

When it comes to rating an IPA beer, colour is an important factor to consider. The colour of an IPA can vary from medium gold to light reddish-amber, and this range of colours is indicative of the different substyles within the IPA category. While some IPAs may lean more towards golden hues, others may exhibit reddish-amber tones.

The colour of an IPA is influenced by various factors, including the type of malt used, the brewing process, and the presence of certain ingredients. For instance, the use of caramel malts can impart reddish or amber hues to the beer. Additionally, the fermentation process and the length of time the beer is aged can also impact its final colour.

When examining the colour of an IPA, it is important to look for clarity and consistency. A well-crafted IPA should have a clear, uniform colour without any cloudiness or sediment. The intensity of the colour can also provide clues about the flavour and body of the beer. For example, a deeper amber colour may suggest a maltier flavour, while a lighter gold colour may indicate a crisper, more refreshing taste.

It is worth noting that the colour of an IPA can also be influenced by external factors such as lighting conditions and the type of glassware used. Therefore, it is recommended to evaluate the colour of the beer in a well-lit environment and against a neutral background to ensure an accurate assessment.

In summary, when rating an IPA beer based on colour, it is important to consider the specific substyle, look for clarity and consistency, and take into account the potential flavour and body implications suggested by the colour. By paying attention to these details, you can gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the complex world of IPA beers.

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