


The only way to find out for sure is to try an IPA and see what you think! Be aware that IPAs usually have a higher ABV than traditional pale ales. If a pale ale is tabasco sauce, an IPA is a habanero hot sauce. What’s the difference between a pale ale and an IPA? If I like pale ales will I like IPAs? An IPA is hoppier and bolder than a pale ale. Let’s see how many IPA frequently asked questions (FAQs) we can answer for you before class is dismissed. So you’ve passed the IPAs and IPA vocabulary test. Have you heard of a Citra single-hop IPA? That means that Citra (the type of hop) was the only type of hop used in the beer. Other IPAs are made with a variety of different hops to combine different flavors. Dry-hopping means that the beer was basically soaked in hops, but no hops were added into the liquid hence the discrepancy in smell and taste. This beer is brewed for its incredible aroma without the hops. You’ll be surprised how quickly you feel the effects of a beer over 7% ABV and even more surprised how you continue to feel it the next day! Dry-HoppedĪ dry-hopped beer smells like fruit, Christmas, and your favorite candy. Double IPAs and imperial IPAs are very similar and should be consumed with caution. The resulting beer is usually very high in alcohol content (7% or more). Double IPAĪ double IPA (sometimes abbreviated DIPA) has more hops and more malt than a regular IPA. The higher the IBU rating, the more bitter your IPA. Hops are the green cone-like flowers often used in beer to make it bitter. International bittering units (IBU) measures the acid in hops. Plus, it’s always fun to impress your friends with your beer knowledge. The more you know about IPAs, the easier it will be to find the styles you prefer. Let’s get hoppy and review a few IPA terms that might come in handy at your next happy hour or beer tasting. However, if you are someone that doesn’t like the burst of fruit from New England or West Coast IPAs, consider giving a British IPA a chance. British IPAs tend to be very hoppy and one-note.

British IPAīritish IPAs are far less common in the United States because they don’t have the flavor complexity of the other IPA options. Session IPAs appear “thinner” than New England and west coast IPAs and are usually less than 5% ABV. Session IPAĪ session IPA is perfect for people that want the flavor of an IPA beer with a lower alcohol content. It may seem like an odd combination but it’s one of the most popular IPA varieties being sold today. You can typically tell a New England IPA from its smell – fruity and grassy. Many New England IPAs are fermented to have lower carbonation than other beers which some people enjoy and others do not. You can taste intense fruit flavors as well as hops. New England IPAĪ New England style IPA is traditionally very hazy, meaning you can’t see through it. If you like beer with notes of hops and fruit, try a west coast style IPA. You may encounter some bitter varieties too. West Coast IPAĪ traditional west coast IPA is hoppy, fruity, and crisp. While many people associate IPA beer types with a high alcohol percentage, that is not always the case. Types of IPA BeersĪs we continue our beerducation it’s useful to understand the different types of IPA beers you might encounter and what to expect from their flavor profile and alcohol content. And from these humble origins, the India Pale Ale was born! The IPA beer has come a long way since colonial times, but the hoppy quality has (for the most part) remained the same. So the sailors brewed a beer with lots of hops that could survive long journeys without going bad. The weather in India was too hot and too wet to brew good beer. 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. Let’s get this first question out of the way – IPA stands for Indian Pale Ale or India Pale Ale. But what does IPA stand for in beer? And what are the different types of IPA beers you need to know? The IPA trend has swept the nation and shows little signs of slowing down. If you’ve ever found yourself in a conversation like this one at a bar or restaurant, it’s time for your first beer lesson – IPAs. “We have New England style, West coast style, something hoppy, hazy …” “We have a lager, stout, pilsner, porter, brown ale, American pale ale, and an assortment of IPAs.” Find out the answer, learn about types of IPA, and more here! If you are wondering what IPA stands for in beer, you’ve come to the right place.
