After years of drinking light, fizzy beer, you've chosen to finally try the brew that nearly everybody's been raving about the past few years: the India pale ale—or IPA. IPAs were created nearly two centuries ago but have recently grown to become one of the most popular craft brews in the United States. With both craft breweries and well-known beer corporations releasing several variations of IPAs, learning about these variations will allow you to make easy conversation at the bar with both your friends and your bartenders.
The IPA Brewing and Fermentation Process
Both American and Imperial IPAs follow the same brewing process. Distilled water is heated to a specific temperature that differs based upon the recipe. At this point, barley may be steeped into the mix if the recipe calls for it. If not, then malt is stirred into the mix and given time to steep.
Hops are then folded into the mix throughout the duration of the brew. A large amount of hops is typically added to the mix during the last few minutes of the brewing process to increase the flavor and aroma profiles.
Once the mixture is finished brewing, it's rapidly cooled to prevent bacteria growth. The mixture is then poured into a storage container before yeast is added to begin the fermentation process.
After about a week of fermenting, the brew is then poured into a different container to begin the second stage of fermentation. At this point, additional hops may be added to the brew. The addition of hops during the second fermentation stage is referred to as dry-hopping and will drastically change the flavor and aroma profiles of the finished IPA.
American IPA
The standard American IPA is vastly different from the original English IPA—which was created with enough hops and malt to stay fresh during the journey from England to India. Although the American IPA shares the increased amount of hops and malt with the English IPA, it's brewed with different types of hops. Here are three of the most popular hops used in American IPAs:
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Cascade
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Cascade hops are among the most popular hops used in craft beers. As a mixture of the United Kingdom's Fuggle hops and Russia's Serebrianker hops, Cascade hops bring a flowery, citrus-like aroma to the brews in which they're used.
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Centennial
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As another descendant of the Fuggle hop, Centennial hops are commonly used for their potent citrus profile. Centennial hops are typically used in commercial IPAs, but certain craft breweries have also experienced great success with Centennial hops.
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Simcoe
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Simcoe hops, which are used for both their aromatic and bittering qualities, provide a pine-like fragrance and taste to ales. Additionally, Simcoe hops have a light fruit flavor that tastes similar to grapefruit.
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These hops can be used at different stages throughout the manufacturing process to create different flavor profiles. For example, an IPA that's initially brewed with Cascade hops and dry-hopped with Simcoe hops will taste drastically different than an IPA that uses the same hops in reverse order.
Imperial IPA
The Imperial IPA, which is also known as a double IPA, requires two or even three times the amount of hops and malt as a traditional American IPA. The increased amount of hops significantly raises the alcohol content of the beer. Most American IPAs range from 5% to 7.5% alcohol content while Imperial IPAs typically reach 10% or greater.
Although a significant increase in malt typically results in a sweeter profile, the additional malt in an Imperial IPA is used to offset the bitterness produced by the increased amount of hops. Imperial IPAs typically reach a higher IBU rating (international bitterness unit) than American IPAs even with the increased amount of malt.
Whether you're planning to begin home brewing or simply want to strike up a conversation about craft beer at your favorite watering hole, you'll be well-informed about the brewing, fermentation, hops, and flavor profiles of both the American and Imperial IPA.
However, you can only learn so much about IPAs from research. Stop by your local craft brewery this upcoming weekend to begin exploring the complex flavor and aroma profiles of your favorite brewer's IPAs.
If IPA is not the brew for you, another great alcoholic choice is wycliff champagne.
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