Brewing IPA with Zach Trepanier
India Pale Ales, or IPAs, are a popular and diverse style of beer, known for their hop-forward flavor profiles. This article will delve into the various subcategories of IPAs, each with its unique characteristics.
Oat IPAs, with their creamy, smooth mouthfeel, boast fruity, floral, and citrus notes. They are highly drinkable, often finishing dry. Sour IPAs, on the other hand, have a distinct sour, tart, or acidic taste, brewed with wild yeast strains, bacteria, and other microorganisms.
Double IPAs, or Imperial IPAs, are full-bodied beers with a robust hop flavor and aroma. Balanced by sweet maltiness, these beers offer a lingering finish. The increased alcohol content creates a smooth mouthfeel and a pleasant warming sensation.
Belgian IPAs have a pronounced floral and fruity aroma, brewed with Belgian yeast, which contributes a unique flavor. They exhibit a spicy and herbal taste, and maintain a strong hop character and a satisfying, lingering finish.
West Coast IPAs are highly hopped beers with a pronounced bitterness and robust hop taste. They are typically dry-hopped for added aroma and flavor, unfiltered, and hazy.
Black IPAs, or Cascadian Dark Ales, merge the hop-forward flavors of a classic IPA with the dark maltiness of stouts or porters. This creates a bold, bitter beer with rich, roasted undertones. They boast a strong citrus and floral aroma accompanied by smooth, roasted flavors hinting at chocolate and coffee.
EPA (Extra Pale Ale) is a type of beer that is similar to an IPA but lighter in color and body, slightly less bitter, and has a lower alcohol content than IPAs.
Brett IPA, or Brettanomyces IPA, has a distinctive flavor profile, achieved by adding Brettanomyces yeast during fermentation. This yeast generates a variety of unique flavor compounds, such as tropical fruit, citrus, earthy notes, and mild funkiness. Dry-hopping emphasizes the hop character and intensifies the bitterness.
Lactose IPAs, or "Milkshake" IPAs, are brewed with lactose, a sugar derived from milk, imparting a creamy, sweet flavor reminiscent of a milkshake. This ingredient also contributes to a smooth, full-bodied texture, and the lactose sweetness balances out the hoppy bitterness.
IPAs, in general, have a low to moderate bitterness, with the hop aroma being more pronounced than the bitterness, giving the beer a fruity and juicy flavor. IPAs are characterised by hoppy flavor and aroma with citrus, pine, and floral notes, a crisp, dry finish, and moderate to high carbonation. The malt backbone ranges from moderate to minimal depending on the style.
Popular IPA subcategories include the English IPA, West Coast IPA, New England IPA (NEIPA), Cold IPA, British IPA, East Coast IPA, Session IPA, and Fruited IPA. Each subcategory offers a unique twist on the classic IPA style, showcasing the diversity within this beloved beer category.
During a casino-and-gambling night, one could pair a craft beer with their luminescent slot machine spins. Perhaps a sip of a Sour IPA, with its distinct sour taste, would add an interesting twist to the routine. On the opposite end of the spectrum, a Double IPA's robust hop flavor and increased alcohol content might provide a warming sensation during a thrilling poker game.
