For a long time we have had the suspicion that there is a link between India Pale Ale and artistic creativity. Before you think we are a little loopy, let’s first look at a brief history of this fine beverage.
The British troops who were sent to India more then a century ago brought with them of course a good supply of their finest ale. However, due to the long voyage and relenting heat, sadly the ale had spoiled before it reached shore. So what did they do? Since hops are a natural preservative, they added double the amount of hops, and made a stronger ale (higher gravity, more alcohol) to survive the journey. Many months of aging in oak wooden casks made for an exceptional new style of robust ale.
A century later, in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, namely Seattle and Portland, this fine ale was re-invented, trading the classic British hops with the more assertive and bold American hops such as the citrus Cascade, and the grapefruity Chinook to create a hop lover’s dream. When we first traveled to Seattle in the early nineties we fell in love with IPAs. Each small brewery and brew pub set out to out-do the others in who would create the most hoppiest and complex IPAs. One of the best at the time was the cask-conditioned Pike Place Brewery (now The Pike Brewery) India Pale Ale.
Interestingly we began to notice that good conversation accompanied a good IPA. The more hoppy the IPA the more creative and artistically inspired we felt (yes, even more so than espresso). It seemed that an IPA always was surrounded by creative and passionate people. Could this be just a coincidence, or was something less obvious at work here? Is it simply due to the fact that the IPA is usually the brew master's most creative and passionate beer that he produces, and so this in turn attracts an equally passionate creative patron? Or is it the fact that no other beer causes such an extreme reaction in its tasters, ranging from “hate” to “euphoria”? Or could it possibly be the lupilin effect?
Article comments
1 - T. Michael Testi
Yea for IPA! The best I ever tasted was from a little brewery in an Atlanta suburb (I don't remember the name of the pub) called Seven Sisters IPA. The best commercial is Thunderhead from Pyramid Brewery.
-- T.
2 - Bill Soukoreff
Have not had the pleasure to try Thunderhead. Being awhile since I've been to the states, but I have toured their brewery many times in the 1990's. The best I have had recently is Maximus by the Lagunitas Brewing Company in Petaluma, California. 72 IBUS of hop pleasure! It almost borders on a Barley Wine at 7.5%. The problem in Canada is getting these great beers. Tree Brewing Company out of Kelowna, B.C. makes the best one in Western Canada. Long live IPA!
3 - Mark Saleski
hopheads unite!
favorite hoppy beer: Hazed and Infused.
4 - Mohjho
Hi Bill
I live a few blocks from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
They make a fine pale ale, but is India Pale Ale different than just Pale Ale?
So many micro brews, so little time.
5 - Bill Soukoreff
Mohjho: Wow, you live next to one of Americas greatest breweries! To answer your question, no it is not an IPA. It IS a very hoppy Pale Ale with 37 IBU's of Hops. Sierra does make a IPA, but only in draft form. A IPA has to be higher in alcohol and have much higher IBU's. (International Bittering Units - which comes from hops.)
American-Style India pale ales are noted by their intense hop bitterness and high alcohol content and usually but not always with lots of aroma and flavor hops. (Which Sierra Nevada Pale Ale does have by the way.) Basically it is a Pale Ale that just has more of everything. More hops, more malt, Higher alcohol. If you like Sierra Pale, then you will love IPAs.
The world Beer Cup states that alcohol by volume should be between 5-7.5% and Bitterness (IBU) be between 40-65. However, I feel 6-8% by volume and 50 to 100 is more correct. Can you find Lagunitas Maximus in your area? It is pushing the higher end of the style, almost bordering a Barley Wine. It has awesome fruity esters from the high alcohol. Or ask Sierra where you can find their draft IPA. I am sure it would be great as all their products are.
6 - Mohjho
Thanks Bill for the info.
Ill check out the Lagunitas Maximus. Here in Chico beer is kind of a local obsession, so I should be able to find it.