The India Pale Ale is a fan favorite. The high hops complement the beer to bring out a full-bodied, high alcoholic brew. If you haven’t heard the myth of how IPAs were created, India was an important outpost for Britain troops in the 1700s. Since it was so hot in these areas, the troops demanded cold beer. For beer to be sent to them, there was a six-month sea journey for the beer to get to that post. A brewer named George Hodgson in 1785 had connections to the East India Trading Company, and he had the idea of creating and exporting strong pale ales since these beers could be cellar aged, hence the creation of the India Pale Ale.
It’s a great story, but as Pete Brown describes it, “There are records of ‘Burton’ and Pale Ale being drunk in Madras as early as 1717… giving the lie that this was a new style of beer invented in London, and that London brewers predated Burton in India.” Stories can be passed down from generation to generation. All I have to say about the matter is I am glad someone invented the IPA. As Pete Brown said “Beer is a living, organic creation that cannot be pinned to the page. It will always have a core of mystery to it.”
People know that the higher the hops and alcohol content, the more preserved the beers could be. This fact means the India Pale Ale will stay fresh for longer than other beers. So, having more alcohol content in your beer will preserve beer longer. Contrasted to the traditional Pale Ale, the hoppier and cleaner characteristics give this beer a strong hoppy taste. This bitter hop taste is paired with flavors of floral, earthy, citrusy, and piney. The ABV of IPA is usually 5-7%.
Double and Triple IPAs
Imperial IPAs are popular as well, which are also known as Double IPAs and Triple IPAs. These are termed double and triple, because the brewer adds more hops than normal to the brewing cycle. Once more hops are added, the brewers have to put in more malt to balance out the flavors. The tasting notes are quite the same compared to a normal IPA. But, since there’s extra malt added into it, both Double and Triple IPAs will have a little extra sweetness to it. Double IPAs range from 8-10% ABV, while Triple IPAs range from 10-13%.