What is an IPA Beer?

Beer has long been a popular British past-time, and as a drink brings together friends, family and colleagues up and down the country in merriment. This bubbly, fizzy, golden nectar coming in many famous blends and brews, and one that has risen to the top of the barrel is the IPA. 

Today, IPA beer is a staple on the menu of bars and restaurants and beloved by fans, whether produced industrially or in one of the great artisanal microbreweries up and down the United Kingdom. But what exactly is an IPA beer? Let’s dive into its definition, history, and brewing process to understand why IPA has become the trendy beer of choice. 

Contents 

• IPA Beer: A Definition and History 
• What is an IPA Beer? 
• IPA: The Beer Drinker’s Beer! 
• Curious to Explore the Taste World of IPA Beers? 

IPA Beer: A Definition and History 

What is an IPA Beer? 

IPA stands for India Pale Ale. The "India" part of the name comes from its historical ties to the British trade routes to India, while "Pale Ale" indicates its belonging to the pale ale family, known for their strong bitterness and top fermentation process. The term "Ale" comes from the Old Norse word "øl," which originally described classic dark beers, and "Pale" refers to its lighter colour compared to traditional, darker ales. 

A Brief History 

To understand the origins of IPA beer we must travel back to the 19th century, when the English exported their pale ales to their colonies in India. According to legend, an English brewer named George Hodgson discovered that beer lost its taste quality after the long journey of four to five months. He reworked the brewing process by increasing the alcohol content and adding more hops, which acted as a preservative, giving birth to India Pale Ale. 

In reality, the innovation that gave rise to the IPA was likely a collective effort of many creative brewers. The advent of pasteurisation, which allowed for longer preservation without excessive hops, saw the IPA go out of fashion. Starting in the 1970s, American brewers revived old recipes, creating the American IPA. This sparked renewed interest in IPA across the world, including in the U.K., where microbreweries now flourish and IPA is one of the most popular orders at bars from Birmingham to Brighton. 

IPA: What is an IPA Beer? 

IPA is a top fermentation beer, meaning that its yeast ferments at higher temperatures, 16°C to 25°C, compared to bottom fermentation beers, 7°C to 15°C. Beers can be classified into three main families: 

• Top Fermentation Beers, like IPAs 
• Bottom Fermentation Beers, such as lagers 
• Spontaneous Fermentation Beers, called lambics 

IPA stands out due to its high hop content added after fermentation, giving it a characteristic bitterness and a wide range of flavours, including citrus, spices, tropical fruits and caramel. The International Bitterness Unit (IBU) measures this bitterness, with IPAs typically exceeding 40 IBU and having an alcohol content between 5% and 8%. 

IPA: The Beer Drinker’s Beer! 

IPA beers are known for their pronounced bitter taste and often amber hue. The choice of hops used in brewing can dramatically alter the flavour profile, making each IPA unique. Some enthusiasts meticulously check the labels for specific hops, while others enjoy exploring regional variations or even brewing their own IPAs at home. 

IPA beers come in many styles, such as Micro IPA, Belgian IPA, Black IPA, Double IPA, Imperial IPA, West Coast IPA, East Coast IPA, Triple IPA, NEIPA, and DDH IPA. To truly appreciate their diversity, organise a blind tasting and compare different IPAs. Beginners might start with lower IBU IPAs and gradually try more bitter varieties. 

Discover Our Selection of 5 IPA Beers: 

• Classic IPA 
• Session IPA or Micro-IPA (lighter IPAs with IBU between 30 and 50) 
• Black IPA (stronger and richer in aromas) 
• English IPA (balanced between malty flavour and bitterness) 
• Triple IPA (highly hoppy and more alcoholic, up to 12%) 

Remember, IPA beers should be served very cold to reveal their full potential. Pair them with some fancy pub grub or a classic ploughman’s lunch for an enhanced dining experience. Next time you’re out at a restaurant, why not see which dishes pair best with an IPA? There’s a whole world of IPAs to discover… Cheers to that! 

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