Ultra Beer: An Ipa Or Not?

India Pale Ale, or IPA, is a hoppy beer style within the broader category of pale ales. The name comes from its origins as an export beer shipped to India during British colonial times. British sailors needed a beer that could withstand the long journey and brewed a beer with lots of hops that could survive without going bad. Today, IPAs are known for their bitter, fruity, and floral flavours, with a higher alcohol content than other beers. However, not all IPAs are bitter or have a high alcohol content. There are different styles of IPAs, such as West Coast, New England, and British, each with its unique characteristics. So, is ultra beer an IPA?

What does IPA stand for?

IPA stands for Indian Pale Ale or India Pale Ale. The name has its roots in the British Empire and its colonies. The beer was first brewed in the UK in the 1780s and became popular among British soldiers and administrators serving in India, which was then under the control of the East India Company.

The IPA was originally an export beer shipped to India. It was brewed to be easy to preserve on long trips from Britain to India. The hot and wet weather in India was not suitable for brewing good beer. So, the sailors brewed a beer with lots of hops that could survive long journeys without spoiling. The IPA has evolved since colonial times, but the hoppy quality has mostly remained the same.

The IPA is a style of pale ale that emphasizes hop flavours and aromas. It is a hoppy beer style within the broader category of pale ale. The term "pale" refers to the light colour of the beer. Pale Ales became increasingly popular, replacing Porters and becoming the typical everyday beers in the second half of the 19th century.

There are several variations of IPAs, including West Coast IPA, New England IPA, Session IPA, and Double or Imperial IPA. Each of these variations has distinct characteristics in terms of flavour, aroma, appearance, and alcohol content.

How did IPAs become so popular?

India Pale Ale (IPA) is a hoppy beer style within the broader category of pale ale. The pale ales of the 18th century were lightly hopped and quite different from today's pale ales.

The popularity of IPAs can be traced back to the 18th century when British brewers fortified all beers bound for India and the Caribbean with extra hops to safeguard them from spoilage during long voyages. These beers were also consumed by affluent Europeans, high-ranking officers, and civil servants. The first mention of the term "India pale ale" in print was in 1835 in the Liverpool Mercury.

In the 19th century, IPAs became popular in England and were widely brewed. Demand for the export style of pale ale developed in England around 1840, and IPA became a popular product there.

The modern American boom of the style can be traced back to two beers: San Francisco's Anchor Brewing Liberty Ale in 1975, which was brewed with a new hop called Cascade, and Bert Grant's Yakima Brewing and Malting Co. in 1983, which was the first beer to pair the style with its proper moniker.

In the 1990s, Sierra Nevada and Dogfishhead produced beers that were very hoppy, more than consumers were used to, and they were a hit. Since then, IPAs have continued to grow in popularity, with new styles emerging and brewers experimenting with different ingredients and techniques.

Today, IPA is one of the most popular beer styles in the world, with US-influenced IPAs being particularly successful in the UK. In the US, IPA is the dominant form of craft beer, and it is also gaining popularity in other countries such as China, Italy, and Argentina.

What is the average ABV of an IPA?

India Pale Ale, or IPA, is a hoppy beer style within the broader category of pale ales. The IPA was originally a British invention, but American brewers have since popularised the style.

The average ABV of an IPA varies depending on the style. A session IPA, for example, is typically below 5% ABV, whereas a double or imperial IPA will usually be over 7% ABV. A triple IPA will usually be 10% ABV or higher.

Session IPAs are designed to be consumed in larger quantities, hence their lower ABV. On the other hand, double or imperial IPAs are stronger and hoppier, and therefore more likely to get you drunk.

The average ABV of an IPA will also depend on the brewery and the specific style. For example, a New England IPA will likely have a different ABV to a West Coast IPA.

Overall, the ABV of an IPA can vary significantly, but you can expect it to be somewhere between 5% and 10%, with most IPAs sitting around the 6-7% mark.

What are the different types of IPAs?

India Pale Ale, or IPA, is a style of beer that is known for its strong hoppy flavour. The amount of hops used in an IPA can vary, but generally, IPAs have a stronger flavour than regular beer. There is no standardised threshold for a beer to be considered an IPA, so it is up to the brewer to decide.

The IPA was first brewed in Britain in the 1780s and became popular among British soldiers and administrators serving in India. The beer was brewed with more hops to preserve it during the long journey to India.

Over time, the variety of IPAs has increased, and each type has a distinct flavour profile and ABV. Here are some of the most common types of IPAs:

English/British IPA

The English IPA is the original IPA and is more subtle and earthy in flavour compared to its American counterparts. It has lighter notes of citrus and is closer in taste to an English pale ale, with a maltier flavour.

West Coast IPA

The first West Coast IPAs were crafted in California. They are known for their hoppy, fruity, and crisp flavour profile. They can also be bitter, although the bitterness is balanced with a clean, crisp body and higher carbonation.

East Coast/New England IPA

New England IPAs are unfiltered, resulting in a hazy appearance. They have extremely low bitterness and intense fruit flavours. They are often dry-hopped and fermented to have lower carbonation.

Double/Imperial IPA

Double IPAs, also known as Imperial IPAs, contain more malts and hops to balance out the sweetness. This results in a higher alcohol content, usually over 7% ABV.

Triple IPA

Triple IPAs take the Double IPA a step further by adding even more hops. They are dryer and more bitter than other IPAs and can reach extremely high ABV levels, making them popular among seasoned beer drinkers.

Session IPA

Session IPAs are designed for casual drinking and have a lower alcohol content, typically around 4-5% ABV. They are less hoppy and have a more subtle flavour compared to other American IPAs.

What do IPAs taste like?

IPAs, or Indian Pale Ales, are known for their hoppy, bitter taste. However, not all IPAs are the same, and they can vary in flavour from fruity to earthy, flowery, and robust. Some IPAs have a strong citrus taste, while others are intensely bitter.

The flavour of an IPA depends on the type of hops used during the brewing process. Citra, Mosaic, and Simcoe hops, for example, are often added to IPAs to give them a citrus flavour, while Centennial and Chinook hops are used to create earthy flavours. Columbus hops can give IPAs a resiny taste.

The different styles of IPAs also have distinct flavour profiles. New England IPAs, for instance, are known for their intense fruit flavours and low carbonation, while West Coast IPAs are hoppy, fruity, and crisp, with a higher level of carbonation. British IPAs tend to be very hoppy and one-note, without the burst of fruit found in New England or West Coast IPAs.

While IPAs are generally associated with a high alcohol content, this is not always the case. Session IPAs, for example, have a lower alcohol content, typically below 5% ABV, and appear "thinner" in comparison to other types of IPAs.

Overall, the taste of an IPA can vary depending on the specific type, the hops used, and the brewing techniques employed. While some people may find the bitterness of IPAs off-putting, others appreciate the complex and intense flavours that this style of beer can offer.

Frequently asked questions