There's nothing more relaxing than a cold beer, but choosing among all the different kinds of beer can be a lot less relaxing. You might have heard of India Pale Ales (often called IPAs) but not known anything that could help you decide if you want to give them a try. Here are some useful facts about IPAs for your next visit to your favorite Seattle area breweries.
What Makes an India Pale Ale Different From Other Pale Ale?
Beer Basics
Before we get into the specifics of IPAs, it's useful to understand the different categories that apply to all types of beers so customers have an accurate picture of the flavor and alcohol content of their purchase. Here are some of those categories as they apply to IPAs.
Double
Double beers feature an alcohol content between 8.0-9.4%. In the case of IPAs, this is due to malt added to balance out the extra hops in Double IPAs, which have the highest hop concentration around. These beers are perfect for those who like the hop flavor, but don't want to be overpowered by it. Double beers are sometimes also called Imperial; the distinguishing specifics will depend on the brewer, but customers who enjoy one will likely enjoy the other as well.
Session
Session beers are characterized by their low alcohol content (under 5.0%) and gold to copper color range. Session IPAs in particular feature a mix of malt and hop flavors, similar to the Double IPAs but lower in alcohol content, generally ranging between 3.0-4.5%. These delicious beers have less body than the other kinds of IPAs on this list, making them the perfect selection for anyone looking for a lighter drinking experience.
Fresh Hopped
These are among the most exclusive beers available, the go-to choice for anyone who likes to shop (and drink) local. Fresh-hopped beers (sometimes known as harvest or wet-hopped) are, as the name indicates, fresh. In order to qualify, the hops must have gone from the vineyard to the brewery and then into the boiler in less than 24 hours. As such, fresh-hopped IPAs are only on the market in August and September, when the hops are being harvested.
Single Hopped
Most innovative beer flavors come from brewers weaving different strands of hops together, in the same way we would use multiple spices to make a yummy sauce. We also know, however, that some customers are interested in a more distinct IPA, and they should check out single-hopped drinks. This is another one where it's all in the name: these are made from single hop varieties, lending them more pure, stark flavors.
Dry Hopped
Traditionally, beers are made by adding hops to liquid as it's boiling. Dry-hopping means the brewer instead steeps the plants in beer as it ferments. When IPAs are dry-hopped, this increases the smell without adding to the bitterness. Anyone who favors more aromatic beers should try IPAs in this category.
What are IPAs?
Like many great inventions, IPAs developed by accident. 18th-century British merchants were concerned their beer wouldn't last all the way to the Indian subcontinent, so they used hops as a preservative. The hops did more than preserve, though: they transformed the flavor of the beer into the uniquely hoppy tase we associate with IPAs today. The style became increasingly popular throughout the 19th century, gradually acquiring the IPA label.
But the story doesn't end there! Down through the years, brewers all over the world have continued to innovate on the basic formula, creating new kinds of IPAs to satisfy customers with different tastes. No matter your preferences, there's an IPA out there designed especially for you. Here are some of the different varieties of IPAs available.
West Coast IPAs
The central change in IPAs over time has been reducing the bitterness, and that's what West Coast IPAs are known for. Fruit flavors dominate these beers, making them among the more accessible (and popular) options.
East Coast IPAs
If the West Coast choices are for those who don't generally care for IPAs, the East Coast selections are for those who can't get enough of IPAs. These feature the classic combination of hops and malts, without anything else to get in the way.
New England IPAs
You'd think New England would come under the East Coast umbrella, but they always like to do things their own way in New England, and IPAs are no exception. These beers are fermented and unfiltered, producing a distinct low-carbonation taste.
Belgian IPAs
This is the next big thing in IPAs and so we recommend them to anyone who likes to be ahead of the curve. These IPAs are brewed with Belgian strains, creating an unforgettable crisp and dry finish.
IPAs vs. Other PAs
Now that we've covered the basics of IPAs, it's time to distinguish them from other kinds of PAs out there. Here are some of those other PAs and how they differ from IPAs.
American PAs
American PAs (APAs) are lighter than IPAs; the former's alcohol content ranges between 5-6%, while the latter ranges from 6-10%. Over time, APAs have evolved away from the malty flavors that characterize many IPAs in favor of punchier fruit notes. APAs appropriately feature American hops, particularly the four known as "C hops:" Columbus, Citra, Centennial, Cascade, and Chinook.
English PAs
These beers are also known as ESB, which stands for "extra special bitter." They live up to the name, drawing on strong concentrations of hops to create exciting flavors for those looking for a bracing, old-fashioned pint. They are more bitter but also less alcoholic than most IPAs, and so we recommend them to anyone who is interested above all in how their beer tastes. Their alcohol content ranges from 4.5% to 5.5%, and their colors range from bronze to gold.
Blond PAs
These also live up to their name, as blond PAs are the palest of the bunch. While the English PAs focus on hops, the Blond PAs have higher percentages of malts, making them a strong choice for customers who are more accustomed to other kinds of beer and might not enjoy hoppy IPAs. This is also the best option for anyone looking for a sweet ale.
IPAs and Seattle Area Breweries
No American city is more closely identified with IPAs than Seattle. As with grunge and Starbucks, the trend started here. After all, no matter what region an IPA is associated with, the hops that make it up probably come from the Pacific Northwest. The boldest, newest, and best IPAs will always be found in Seattle area breweries.
There's no end to the good times you can have exploring IPAs. Visit Lowercase Brewing today so we can help you get started. Try our delightful Strata IPA, with fruity tropical flavors that make it stand out from the pack, replacing all that Seattle rain with a hint of sunshine. If IPAs aren't for you, we have plenty of other great choices to sample. Check out our crisp, light pilsners, or indulge in our roasted dry stout; if you love our lagers, you can take them home.
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