IPA is a term within the alcohol industry that you may have seen come up frequently in conversation these days.
For many, IPA stands for a style of beer that has recently taken the world by storm. So what do the letters in IPA stand for? If you’re wondering about this – you won’t be the first.
In this article, we’re going to give you a comprehensive guide to IPA and what this means.
Once we’ve unpacked the term, we’re going to delve into the history of this, and discover why it has become such a popular alcoholic beverage.
We’ve also included a short FAQ that will help answer any additional questions you might have.
What Is IPA?
IPA is an abbreviation of “Indian Pale Ale.” This is a popular style of beer that has been rising all across the world as a great alternative to other kinds of ale.
Indian Pale Ale can be found in bars and pubs, or in supermarkets across the world.
The History Of Indian Pale Ale
The origins of Indian Pale Ale can be traced all the way back to the 18th century, where British soldiers stationed in India were craving a taste of home beverages.
The problem was that the long journey from England to India meant that most of the beer that arrived became spoiled.
To address this issue, British brewers began to add additional ingredients to the beer – for example, hops and alcohol – which acted as natural preservatives and helped the beer (see also: Does Ginger Beer Have Alcohol?)to survive this journey.
The first ever recorded shipment of beer to India took place in 1784, however, it wasn’t until the early 19th century that we created IPA as we know it today.
The beer’s unique flavor profile, as well as its ability to withstand long journeys, made it a big hit with British troops and the local population of India.
Although Indian Pale Ale has been around for a long time, it wasn’t until the 21st century that it saw a sudden boom in popularity.
We’re going to take a closer look at this boom in a later section, but let’s first have a look at how exactly IPA is made.
How Indian Pale Ale Is Made
The key to creating Indian Pale Ale is the addition of extra hops during the brewing process. Hops are a type of flower that adds bitterness and flavor to beer, and they also act as a natural preservative.
In the case of IPA, brewers add a large amount of hops to the beer, which gives it a distinctive bitterness and aroma.
There are different methods of adding hops to IPA, including dry hopping, where hops are added after the beer has finished fermenting, and hop bursting, where hops are added in large amounts during the boil.
The specific method used can affect the flavor and aroma of the finished beer.
These days, there are a huge number of different flavors that are added to IPA, with many breweries competing to create the most unique and exotic flavors that they can find!
Why Did IPA Get So Popular?
Indian Pale Ale has recently sky-rocketed in popularity over the last 20 years – with no signs of slowing down! But what is it about this beverage that has captured the tastes of beer fans worldwide?
Well, there are a few reasons for this. The first is its unique flavor profile including the addition of fruity notes.
This makes IPA more palatable for those who aren’t so used to ale, and allows IPA to be a good starting point for people getting into beer. Its bold flavor profile makes it a welcome change from other types of beer.
The other main reason that it has seen so much popularity is because of the craft beer movement. Recent years have seen a growing surge in interest in traditional beer styles.
IPA is one of these, and many craft breweries began to produce their own type of IPA, creating new and exciting flavors
Types Of Indian Pale Ale
There are many different kinds of Indian Pale Ale, each with its own flavors profile brewing method. Here are some of the types you’re most likely to come into contact with:
American IPA
This style of IPA is known for its bold aroma and hop content, with an emphasis on citrus and pine notes. American IPAs are normally brewed with American hops and are more bitter than other IPA styles.
English IPA
English IPAs generally have a slightly less strong taste than American IPAs and have a more balanced combination of flavors.
They are created with English hops and are often described as having a more floral, earthy flavor.
Belgian IPA
Belgian IPAs are brewed with Belgian yeast, allowing them to have a completely unique fruity flavor and aroma. They are typically less bitter than American IPAs but still have a strong hop presence.
New England IPA
New England IPAs, also known as Hazy IPAs, is the youngest style of IPA that is known for its cloudy appearance and juicy flavor. These IPAs are brewed with a large amount of hops and often have a low bitterness level.
Final Thoughts
In short, IPA stands for “Indian Pale Ale.” It is a type of beer that has a rich history and unique flavor profile. It’s been consumed for over 200 years, but has recently seen a sudden surge in popularity.
We hope that this guide has taught you everything you wanted to know about Indian Pale Ale, and that you’re now a lot more confident about what it is and why it might be a good beer for you to try!
If you still have some questions, keep reading for our FAQ section.
Frequently Asked Questions
People tend to say that IPA pairs very well with street food and grilled meat. This can include spicy foods, burgers, and BBQ food.
IPA is generally considered to be best consumed fresh, or within a few months of bottling or canning. Some IPAs can however be aged for up to a year or more, so keep this in mind!
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