India Pale Ale (IPA) is a style of beer characterized by a strong hop flavor and aroma. It originated in the United Kingdom in the late 18th century as a pale ale brewed with extra hops and higher alcohol content to preserve it during long sea voyages to British colonies in India. The hops acted as a natural preservative, preventing spoilage in the hot climate and long journey
. Key features of IPA beer include:
- It is a hoppy beer style within the broader category of pale ales.
- IPAs typically have a higher bitterness measured in International Bitterness Units (IBU), often ranging from 35 to over 100.
- They often exhibit citrusy, fruity, and floral hop aromas and flavors, with notes such as citrus, passion fruit, or tropical fruits.
- Alcohol content can vary widely, generally from about 4.5% to 10% or more, with substyles like Session IPAs (lower alcohol) and Double or Imperial IPAs (higher alcohol)
The name "India Pale Ale" reflects its historical export destination rather than its origin, which is England. Today, IPAs are a cornerstone of the craft beer movement and are brewed worldwide with many variations in flavor and strength
. In summary, IPA is a pale ale beer style notable for its pronounced hop bitterness and aroma, originally brewed to survive export to India during British colonial times, and now popular globally in many craft beer forms.
