Beer FAQ: Everything you ever needed to know about IPAs (2024)

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Beer FAQ: Everything you ever needed to know about IPAs (5)Beer FAQ: Everything you ever needed to know about IPAs (6)

IPAs have a fascinating history dating back to the days of British global dominance. Yet by the 1990s, they had fallen out of fashion, and it was almost impossible to find an IPA in a Britain whose bars were dominated by lagers, pilsners, bitters and ciders. Enter a new breed of craft brewers, and the IPA didn’t just get a new lease of life, it practically became the standard drink in the craft beer world. Here’s the story of IPAs, and where we are now.

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IPA stands for India pale ale. It supposedly started being brewed in the UK in the 1780s and became a popular beer among British soldiers and administrators serving in India, which was then under the control of the East India Company. However, there’s much controversy about its history.

The commonest story is that a brewer named Hodgson pioneered the drink specifically to export to India, because it was too hot to brew in the subcontinent, and because it matured en route, a journey of four to six months.

This claim is disputed, though. A beer writer who goes by the name of Zythophile (“beer lover”)rebutted many of the common claims. The rebuttal was aimed specifically at a Smithsonian article,but the familiar storycan be found in almost anyhistory of IPA. Hodgson may have just got lucky, and happened to be selling “October beer” at around the time traders came a-looking for beer to take to India. It survived the trip surprisingly well, and that enhanced its popularity.

Claims that it completely replaced the previous favourite drink, porter, are demonstrably false, as there’sevidence porter was widely drunkin India in the 1800s – in much greater volumes than was IPA.

We can be sure of two things, though: IPA was indeed exported to India, and it was (and remains) a more hoppy version of pale ale. Whether it was pioneered in the 1780s by Hodgson probablyneeds further investigation. It’s a nice story though.

Beer FAQ: Everything you ever needed to know about IPAs (11)

IPA is a style of beer, which is popular enough these days to be called “regular” beer. It is a type of pale ale but is made with more hops, to give it a stronger flavour. There’s no standardised threshold at which a pale ale becomes an IPA, though. It’s all up to the brewer.

IPA became a popular choice among the craft brewing community in the 1990s, especially in the UK and the USA. There’s so much variety under the umbrella term “IPA” that it’s difficult to nail down a strict definition anymore. There are alcohol-free IPAs and 13% ABV IPAs, plus a whole host of flavours introduced by fruits, herbs, spices and other edibles.

Beer FAQ: Everything you ever needed to know about IPAs (12)

Pale ale is where IPA gets two-thirds of its name from. It was pioneered in the 1600s and used co*ke-dried malts to produce a cleaner, lighter colour than normal ale, dried on smoky coal fires. Bitter and pale ale are essentially the same thing, But Bitters tend to be more malt forward and often opt for less fruity hops like Fuggles and Goldings, while Pale Ales promise a lighter malt base and prefer floral and fruity hops.

Beer FAQ: Everything you ever needed to know about IPAs (13)

There’s nothing inherently strong about an IPA compared to other beers. Some IPAs are stronger than the average regular beer, and some regular beers are stronger than the average IPA. You can buy 0% ABV IPA but there’s also8.2% ABV IPA.

If IPAs have got a name for being strong, it’s more down to the fact that their growth in popularity in the 2000s coincided with a greater appreciation for craft ales, which tend to be stronger than the lagers and bitters that were regularly drunk in pubs.

It’s always worth paying attention to the ABV on the IPA you’re looking at buying. There’s such a wide range on the market that you could end up getting a party brew when all you want is something light to sip with your lasagne (or vice versa, which is frankly inexcusable).

Beer FAQ: Everything you ever needed to know about IPAs (14)

IPA is a style of beer, which is popular enough these days to be called “regular” beer. It is a type of pale ale but is made with more hops, to give it a stronger flavour. There’s no standardised threshold at which a pale ale becomes an IPA, though. It’s all up to the brewer.

IPA became a popular choice among the craft brewing community in the 1990s, especially in the UK and the USA. There’s so much variety under the umbrella term “IPA” that it’s difficult to nail down a strict definition anymore. There are alcohol-free IPAs and 13% ABV IPAs, plus a whole host of flavours introduced by fruits, herbs, spices and other edibles.

Beer FAQ: Everything you ever needed to know about IPAs (15)

Pale ale is where IPA gets two-thirds of its name from. It was pioneered in the 1600s and used co*ke-dried malts to produce a cleaner, lighter colour than normal ale, dried on smoky coal fires. Bitter and pale ale are essentially the same thing, But Bitters tend to be more malt forward and often opt for less fruity hops like Fuggles and Goldings, while Pale Ales promise a lighter malt base and prefer floral and fruity hops.

Beer FAQ: Everything you ever needed to know about IPAs (16)

There’s nothing inherently strong about an IPA compared to other beers. Some IPAs are stronger than the average regular beer, and some regular beers are stronger than the average IPA. You can buy 0% ABV IPA but there’s also8.2% ABV IPA.

If IPAs have got a name for being strong, it’s more down to the fact that their growth in popularity in the 2000s coincided with a greater appreciation for craft ales, which tend to be stronger than the lagers and bitters that were regularly drunk in pubs.

It’s always worth paying attention to the ABV on the IPA you’re looking at buying. There’s such a wide range on the market that you could end up getting a party brew when all you want is something light to sip with your lasagne (or vice versa, which is frankly inexcusable).

Beer FAQ: Everything you ever needed to know about IPAs (17)

Double IPA is India pale ale but with twice the amount of hops used in standard IPA blends. The result is, as you’d expect, a stronger, hoppier flavour. Double IPAs often, but not necessarily, come with more alcohol than the average IPA, but it probably wouldn’t be double the amount.

Beer FAQ: Everything you ever needed to know about IPAs (18)

You’ve tried double IPA (DIPA) – now it’s gone up a notch to triple IPA (TIPA). There’s even more hops in the mix, and they also tend to be a little stronger, with 13% ABV not unusual. TIPAs tend to be released as limited edition beers, so watch out.

Beer FAQ: Everything you ever needed to know about IPAs (19)

Double IPA is India pale ale but with twice the amount of hops used in standard IPA blends. The result is, as you’d expect, a stronger, hoppier flavour. Double IPAs often, but not necessarily, come with more alcohol than the average IPA, but it probably wouldn’t be double the amount.

Beer FAQ: Everything you ever needed to know about IPAs (20)

You’ve tried double IPA (DIPA) – now it’s gone up a notch to triple IPA (TIPA). There’s even more hops in the mix, and they also tend to be a little stronger, with 13% ABV not unusual. TIPAs tend to be released as limited edition beers, so watch out.

History, flavour and culture – what more could you expect from a drink? BrewDog started out with our timeless creation,Punk IPA, and we’ve since added to the range with the fruityHazy Jane and ouramplified beersthat turn flavour and strength up to 11.

Who knows, in 200 years they might be saying we invented IPA in Scotland in 2007. Yeah, we could live with that.

BITTER. GRAPEFRUIT. PINE

Double IPA ‧ 7.2% ‧ 4 x Can (440ml)

£14.99£3.75/can

New In!

HOT. SOUTHGATE. SUMMER.

Mixed ‧ 40 x Can (330ml)

£45.99£1.15/can

Free Delivery

BOLD. HOPPY. TROPICAL.

IPA ‧ 5.4% ‧ 48 x Can (330ml)

£60.99£1.27/can

MALTY. BISCUIT. CARAMEL

Amber Ale ‧ 4.3% ‧ 10 x Can 440ml + 1 x Glass

Was £17.49

£15.74£1.57/can

Vegan

New In!

CRISP. COLD. CLASSIC.

Lager ‧ 3.4% ‧ 10 x Can (440ml)

£8.99£0.90/can

21ST. CENTURY. STOUT.

Stout ‧ 4.1% ‧ 12 x Can (440ml)

£15.50£1.29/can

Beer FAQ: Everything you ever needed to know about IPAs (26)

Beer FAQ: Everything you ever needed to know about IPAs (27)

Beer FAQ: Everything you ever needed to know about IPAs (2024)

FAQs

Beer FAQ: Everything you ever needed to know about IPAs? ›

IPA is a style of beer, which is popular enough these days to be called “regular” beer. It is a type of pale ale but is made with more hops, to give it a stronger flavour. There's no standardised threshold at which a pale ale becomes an IPA, though. It's all up to the brewer.

What is a fun fact about IPAs? ›

They were originally called “October Ales”

The strong, heavily hopped beer that George Hodgson brewed and sent to India is widely considered to be the first IPA and served as a prototype for modern iterations of the style. The IPA however, did not get deemed the “India Pale Ale” until 1829.

Are IPAs harder on your liver? ›

Yep, just like the majority of craft beer drinkers, it would probably grab an IPA. Researchers from the German Friedrich Schiller University Jena recently found preliminary evidence that hops damage the liver less than liquor and beer without hops.

What are the qualities of IPA beer? ›

Over history, for a variety of reasons, IPA, or India Pale Ale, has evolved into the most aggressively hopped beer style of them all. If you like bitter, floral, earthy, citrusy, piney, fruity, and, yes once more, bitter flavor notes, you'll like an IPA.

What is special about an IPA? ›

IPAs are known for a bitter quality due to the higher than average amount of hops they contain, but there is so much more to them. Fruit and citrus notes abound in these beverages, and depending on what option you choose, you might find flavors of grapefruit, orange, and even earthier notes like pine.

Are IPAs healthier than other beers? ›

Indian Pale Ale (IPA) and other malted barley-rich beers are the best sources of silicon. Silicon does not only help in the bone buildup but also helps in maintaining the health of your bones. Another mineral found in beer is orthosilicic acid. This mineral makes it easier for the body to metabolize.

Why are beers called IPA? ›

Let's get this first question out of the way – IPA stands for Indian Pale Ale or India Pale Ale. During British colonial times, sailors were looking for a beer recipe that would be easy to preserve on the long trips from Britain to India.

Is 2 IPAs a day too much? ›

The U.S. Dietary Guidelines7 recommends that for healthy adults who choose to drink and do not have the exclusions noted above, alcohol-related risks may be minimized, though not eliminated, by limiting intakes to: For women—1 drink or less in a day. For men—2 drinks or less in a day.

Is 4 IPAs a day too much? ›

Regardless of what the answer might be, it's important to consume alcohol in moderation and responsibly, following the CDC's guidelines to limit daily intake to two drinks or less for men and one drink or less for women.

What do IPAs do to your body? ›

According to the findings, “the groups treated with IPA beer, ethanol, and hops did not show genotoxic and mutagenic action in the blood, brain, heart, or liver”. The scientists outlined that this was because “the antigenotoxic action of IPA beer” showed a “reduction in DNA damage”.

What is the main advantage of IPA? ›

The IPA helps us to pronounce words accurately. Instead of relying on the written spelling of words, which does not always match the way we pronounce them, the phonetic alphabet describes the sounds of words (without reference to the letters of a language).

What is an IPA beer for dummies? ›

What is an IPA? India Pale Ale's abbreviation is quite simply put, IPA. The IPA beer is a robust, hoppy ale made using English malt, yeast, and hops.

What are the key characteristics of IPA? ›

Bitter and hoppy: the characteristics of IPAs

As we have seen, the characteristics of modern IPAs descend from their original model. English IPAs are rather bitter and hoppy, as well as quite balanced. The malts – especially the historical Maris Otter – build the ideal basis to support the hops.

Are there any benefits to drinking IPA beer? ›

“Beers that contain large amounts of hops, such as pale ales and IPAs, are rich in kidney health-promoting phytochemicals,” Piedmont Healthcare reported.

Why are IPAs so expensive? ›

The alternative is for breweries to turn to a lower-quality hop. However, the high-quality hops needed for IPAs to achieve their desired bitterness and aromas are already more expensive, so these beers are typically more costly than traditional styles.

Why is it important to know about IPA? ›

The IPA is important because it allows everyone, not just linguists, to learn the pronunciation of an utterance- no matter what language is used. The IPA has one phoneme (symbol) per sound.

What is a fun fact about brewing beer? ›

The first beer was brewed in 4,000 BC

It happened in Mesopotamia (a historical region covering parts of present-day Iraq and Iran). Brewing beer was considered a mystical process at the time.

Why is IPA special? ›

Hops are just one of the main four ingredients in beer (along with grain, water and yeast), but with IPAs they make all the difference. Since IPAs are a hop-forward style, the types of hops we use determine the main flavors and aromas you'll experience in the beer.

Who invented IPAs? ›

The British had two tools to work with: alcohol and hops. Both of these work as preservatives. According to legend, it was George Hodgson of East London's Bow Brewery who eventually created the first IPA.

How old is IPA? ›

India Pale Ale was created in the 18th century, but it was called “Pale Ale prepared for India” which didn't get shortened to “India Pale Ale” until the 19th century. IPA also wasn't really invented by anyone.

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