The Ultimate Guide to IPA Beer
When ordinary beer couldn’t survive the long, grueling journey to India, a new style of pale ale emerged: IPA beer. The initials stand for India Pale Ale, a beer crafted specifically to withstand the six-month voyage from Britain to the British Empire in the east. This innovation marked the beginning of a beer style which continues to leave its mark on the industry today.
A Brief History of IPA Beer
It all starts in the 1780s, when London brewer George Hodgson was faced with the challenge of shipping beer to British troops and colonists in India. The extreme heat and constant movement during the six-month journey would cause beer to spoil and go sour. This is what led to the creation of a stronger, more heavily hopped beer. The higher alcohol content and generous use of hops acted as natural preservatives, allowing the beer to stay fresh and even improve in flavor during the long voyage. This beer became the foundation for what is now known as IPA, gradually evolving into a lighter, more refreshing brew suited for the Indian climate.
Hodgson’s successful formula was soon adopted by other brewers like Bass. However, for the domestic market, IPA became milder as refrigeration reduced the need for such robust preservation techniques. And by the late 19th century, traditional IPA had nearly faded from the scene.
That changed in the 1970s, when American craft brewers revived the style, infusing it with even more hops and higher alcohol content, resulting in bold, intensely flavored beers. This revival sparked a craft beer revolution, and IPA beer once again became a dominant style, with modern brewers constantly pushing the boundaries.
What is IPA Beer?
So, what is IPA beer?
Quite simply, IPA beer is characterized by its high hop content, which leads to a bold, bitter flavor profile. Hops are the defining ingredient in this style, and they not only provide bitterness but also contribute complex aromas and flavors, ranging from citrus and pine to tropical and floral notes.
Compared to other beer styles, IPA beer typically has a higher alcohol content (often between 5.5% and 7.5% ABV or higher), giving it a stronger, more robust character. The brewing process for IPA beers places a heavy emphasis on hop usage during multiple stages. Hops are added early in the boil for bitterness and again later, often through a process called dry hopping after fermentation, which enhances the aroma and flavor complexity without adding additional bitterness.
IPA Brewing Techniques
Brewing an IPA beer requires careful attention to hop selection and the timing of hop additions throughout the brewing process. Hops are the key ingredient in defining an IPA's bitterness, flavor, and aroma, making them central to the brewing technique. The choice of hops—whether they are piney, citrusy, or tropical—plays a significant role in shaping the overall flavor profile of the beer.
Hop Selection: Different hops contribute various flavors, aromas, and bitterness levels. For example, classic hops like Cascade or Centennial deliver piney and grapefruit flavors, while newer varieties like Citra or Mosaic bring tropical fruit notes. Brewers select hops not only for their bitterness but also for the aromas they impart, which is crucial for modern IPA beers like hazy IPAs.
Hop Timing: Timing is everything when brewing an IPA. Hops added early in the boil contribute the most bitterness, as boiling extracts the alpha acids that give beer its sharp bite. However, adding hops later in the boil or after the boil (known as late hopping or whirlpool hopping) allows brewers to extract more aroma without increasing bitterness. This balance is what makes IPA brewing so unique, as different hop addition times create layers of bitterness and flavor.
Dry Hopping: One of the defining techniques in IPA brewing is dry hopping, where hops are added during or after fermentation, rather than during the boiling process. This method enhances the beer's aroma without adding more bitterness, as no additional alpha acids are extracted. Dry hopping is particularly popular in styles like West Coast IPA and hazy IPA beer, where vibrant, fresh hop aromas are a hallmark. The resulting beer is bursting with fruity, floral, or resinous notes, depending on the hops used.
Fermentation and Hop Interaction: In modern styles like hazy IPA beer, brewers often introduce hops during active fermentation, a technique called "biotransformation." This process allows the yeast to interact with the hop oils, creating even more complex and juicy flavors. This is one reason why hazy IPAs have that signature fruit-forward profile, with notes of mango, pineapple, or citrus.
Yeast Selection: While hops are the star of an IPA, yeast also plays a crucial role in fermentation. Yeast selection affects the beer’s mouthfeel and helps determine how hops interact with the beer’s overall flavor. Some yeasts are chosen for their ability to produce fruity esters that complement hop flavors, particularly in New England IPAs.
Types of IPA Beer
Over the years, IPA beer has evolved into a wide range of styles, each offering its own unique flavor profile and characteristics. From the bitter, piney notes of traditional West Coast IPAs to the juicy, hazy character of New England IPAs, there's an IPA for every palate. Let’s explore some of the most popular types of IPA beers.
West Coast IPA: Known for its assertive bitterness, the West Coast IPA is defined by a bold, crisp hop profile with strong piney, resinous, and citrus notes. These IPAs often use hops like Cascade, Centennial, and Chinook, which lend that distinct pine and grapefruit character. The malt profile is kept light, allowing the hops to shine, making it a go-to choice for those who love hop-forward beers with a dry, clean finish.
New England IPA (Hazy IPA): The rise of the hazy IPA beer has brought a new wave of fruity, juicy flavors to the IPA category. Unlike the West Coast IPA, the bitterness in a New England IPA is much more subdued, letting tropical fruit flavors like mango, orange, and pineapple dominate. The hazy IPA beer gets its cloudy appearance from proteins and hop particles that remain suspended in the beer. This style focuses on late hop additions and dry hopping, which enhances the juicy, aromatic qualities without adding harsh bitterness.
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Double IPA (Imperial IPA): The imperial IPA beer, also known as a Double IPA, packs a punch with both higher alcohol content (often 8% ABV or more) and a more intense hop bitterness. Brewers use massive amounts of hops, creating a powerful flavor profile that combines pine, resin, and tropical fruit notes. The higher malt content helps balance out the bitterness, resulting in a fuller-bodied beer that remains a favorite among those who enjoy strong, bold flavors.
Session IPA: For those seeking the hop-forward character of an IPA without the high alcohol content, the session IPA beer is the perfect option. With a lower ABV (usually under 5%), session IPAs are designed to be lighter and more refreshing while still delivering that signature hop flavor. The body is typically leaner, making these beers more drinkable over extended periods without overwhelming the palate.
Milkshake IPA: A unique twist on the traditional IPA, the Milkshake IPA is brewed with lactose (milk sugar), giving it a creamy, full-bodied texture and a touch of sweetness. This style often features fruit additions, which, combined with the lactose, create a dessert-like experience that balances the bitterness of the hops. The result is a smooth, slightly sweet beer with a thick, velvety mouthfeel.
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Black IPA: Sometimes called a Cascadian Dark Ale, the Black IPA combines the roasted malt flavors of stouts or porters with the bitterness and aroma of hops. The result is a dark beer that offers notes of coffee, chocolate, or roasted barley, balanced by the bold, hoppy flavors of an IPA. The interplay between roasted malts and resinous hops creates a complex beer with both bitterness and depth.
Wookey Jack (Firestone Walker Brewing Co.)
Sublimely Self-Righteous Black IPA (Stone Brewing)
Fade to Black (Left Hand Brewing Company)
Cascadian Dark Ale (Deschutes Brewery)
Pairing IPA Beer with Food
The bold bitterness of IPA beer makes it an excellent choice for pairing with equally strong and flavorful dishes. The hop-forward character of an IPA enhances spicy foods, savory barbecue, and rich, fatty dishes, making it a versatile beer for food pairing. The higher alcohol content in many IPAs also helps cleanse the palate, cutting through the richness of certain foods. Here’s a guide to pairing IPA beers with specific dishes:
Spicy Foods: The bitterness and citrusy notes of an IPA balance the heat in spicy dishes. For example, a hazy IPA beer with its juicy, fruity profile pairs beautifully with spicy Thai curry or buffalo wings. The slight sweetness and tropical notes help soothe the heat, while the bitterness adds depth to the spicy flavors. Try pairing Julius (Tree House Brewing) with spicy grilled shrimp or Heady Topper (The Alchemist) with a hot, zesty Mexican dish like tacos al pastor.
Barbecue: The smoky, charred flavors of barbecue are a perfect match for the piney, resinous hops in a West Coast IPA. The bitterness cuts through the rich, fatty meats, while the hop flavors enhance the caramelized, smoky notes. For example, Stone IPA (Stone Brewing) pairs well with smoked brisket or ribs, while Sculpin IPA (Ballast Point) works beautifully with pulled pork or grilled sausages.
Rich Cheeses: The creamy texture and strong flavors of rich cheeses, like blue cheese or aged cheddar, find a natural complement in the bitterness and complexity of an IPA. The hops contrast with the richness of the cheese, creating a balanced and flavorful pairing. A Double IPA like Hopslam Ale (Bell's Brewery) works well with sharp cheddar, while a Milkshake IPA such as Tired Hands Milkshake IPA pairs nicely with creamy cheeses like brie or gouda.
Fried Foods: The high carbonation and bitterness of an IPA can cut through the greasiness of fried foods, refreshing the palate between bites. A session IPA with its lighter body and lower alcohol content is a great pairing for fish and chips or fried chicken. All Day IPA (Founders Brewing) is a perfect companion for these dishes, keeping the meal light but flavorful.
Indian Cuisine: Indian dishes with rich sauces, spices, and bold flavors pair wonderfully with IPA beers. A New England IPA with its fruity, less bitter profile complements the spice and complexity of dishes like chicken tikka masala or lamb curry. The juiciness of the beer accentuates the spices while balancing the heat. Try pairing Hazy Little Thing (Sierra Nevada) with butter chicken or a Focal Banger (The Alchemist) with a spicy vindaloo.
Burgers: A well-cooked burger, especially one loaded with toppings like bacon, cheese, and sautéed onions, pairs excellently with an imperial IPA beer. The bitterness of the hops contrasts with the richness of the burger, while the beer’s higher alcohol content helps balance the fattiness. Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA (New Belgium) is a great choice to accompany a juicy burger with all the fixings.
For a balanced experience, it's important to pair a beer with IPA characteristics alongside bold, intense flavors that can stand up to its bitterness. Whether enjoying a spicy curry, smoky barbecue, or rich cheese, the hop-forward character of an IPA adds depth and contrast to the dish, enhancing the overall dining experience.
How to Choose the Right IPA
When it comes to picking the right IPA beer, it all boils down to your personal taste and what you’re in the mood for. The bitterness of an IPA is often measured by the IBU (International Bitterness Units) scale—the higher the IBU, the more bitter the beer. If you love a bold, bitter beer, a West Coast IPA with a high IBU is probably right up your alley. On the other hand, if you’re after something smoother and more fruit-forward, a hazy IPA beer would be a better fit, as it tends to be less bitter with juicy, tropical flavors.
For those seeking an extra kick, a Double IPA (Imperial IPA) offers more alcohol and a more intense hop profile. But if you want something you can sip on for longer without the high alcohol content, go for a session IPA, which delivers the hoppy flavors of an IPA but with a lighter body and lower ABV. There’s no shortage of options, so no matter your preference, there’s an IPA out there to match it.
|
IPA Style |
Bitterness |
Alcohol Content (ABV) |
Flavor Profile |
Recommended For |
|
West Coast IPA |
High (50–100 IBU) |
Moderate (6–7.5%) |
Piney, resinous, citrusy, bold hop bitterness |
Hop lovers who enjoy bitter beers |
|
New England IPA (Hazy) |
Low to Moderate (30–60 IBU) |
Moderate (6–7%) |
Juicy, fruity, tropical, less bitter |
Fans of smooth, fruit-forward beers |
|
Double IPA (Imperial) |
High (60–120 IBU) |
High (8–10%) |
Bold, intense, with a balance of malty sweetness |
Those looking for a stronger IPA |
|
Session IPA |
Low to Moderate (30–50 IBU) |
Low (3.5–5%) |
Lighter body, hoppy, refreshing |
Easy drinking without high alcohol |
|
Milkshake IPA |
Moderate (40–70 IBU) |
Moderate (6–7.5%) |
Creamy, sweet, dessert-like with fruity flavors |
For those who want a sweeter twist |
|
Black IPA |
High (50–90 IBU) |
Moderate (6–8%) |
Roasted malts, bitter with chocolate/coffee notes |
Fans of darker, maltier beers with hops |
Find Your Perfect IPA Beer
With so many styles of IPA beer to choose from, there’s a perfect option for every taste. Whether you prefer the bold bitterness of a West Coast IPA, the juicy fruit flavors of a New England IPA, or the creamy texture of a Milkshake IPA, the world of IPAs is full of exciting options. Now that you have a better understanding of what makes each IPA style unique, it’s time to explore them for yourself. Visit DNYC today to discover their selection of IPA beers and find your perfect match.
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