If you are wondering what IPA stands for in beer, you’ve come to the right place. Find out the answer, learn about types of IPA, and more here!
“I’ll just have a beer, thank you.”
“We have a lager, stout, pilsner, porter, brown ale, American pale ale, and an assortment of IPAs.”
“I will have an IPA I guess.”
“We have New England style, West coast style, something hoppy, hazy …”
If you’ve ever found yourself in a conversation like this one at a bar or restaurant, it’s time for your first beer lesson – IPAs. The IPA trend has swept the nation and shows little signs of slowing down. But what does IPA stand for in beer? And what are the different types of IPA beers you need to know?
Read on to find out.
What Does IPA Stand For in Beer?
Let’s get this first question out of the way – IPA stands for Indian Pale Ale or India Pale Ale. During British colonial times, sailors were looking for a beer recipe that would be easy to preserve on the long trips from Britain to India. The weather in India was too hot and too wet to brew good beer.
So the sailors brewed a beer with lots of hops that could survive long journeys without going bad. And from these humble origins, the India Pale Ale was born! The IPA beer has come a long way since colonial times, but the hoppy quality has (for the most part) remained the same.
Types of IPA Beers
As we continue our beerducation it’s useful to understand the different types of IPA beers you might encounter and what to expect from their flavor profile and alcohol content. While many people associate IPA beer types with a high alcohol percentage, that is not always the case.
West Coast IPA
A traditional west coast IPA is hoppy, fruity, and crisp. You may encounter some bitter varieties too. If you like beer with notes of hops and fruit, try a west coast style IPA.
New England IPA
A New England style IPA is traditionally very hazy, meaning you can’t see through it. You can taste intense fruit flavors as well as hops. Many New England IPAs are fermented to have lower carbonation than other beers which some people enjoy and others do not.
You can typically tell a New England IPA from its smell – fruity and grassy. It may seem like an odd combination but it’s one of the most popular IPA varieties being sold today.
Session IPA
A session IPA is perfect for people that want the flavor of an IPA beer with a lower alcohol content. Session IPAs appear “thinner” than New England and west coast IPAs and are usually less than 5% ABV.
British IPA
British IPAs are far less common in the United States because they don’t have the flavor complexity of the other IPA options. British IPAs tend to be very hoppy and one-note. However, if you are someone that doesn’t like the burst of fruit from New England or West Coast IPAs, consider giving a British IPA a chance.
IPA Vocabulary
Let’s get hoppy and review a few IPA terms that might come in handy at your next happy hour or beer tasting. The more you know about IPAs, the easier it will be to find the styles you prefer. Plus, it’s always fun to impress your friends with your beer knowledge.
International Bittering Units (IBU)
International bittering units (IBU) measures the acid in hops. Hops are the green cone-like flowers often used in beer to make it bitter. The higher the IBU rating, the more bitter your IPA. Most IPA beers are about 50 IBUs.
Double IPA
A double IPA (sometimes abbreviated DIPA) has more hops and more malt than a regular IPA. The resulting beer is usually very high in alcohol content (7% or more). Double IPAs and imperial IPAs are very similar and should be consumed with caution. You’ll be surprised how quickly you feel the effects of a beer over 7% ABV and even more surprised how you continue to feel it the next day!
Dry-Hopped
A dry-hopped beer smells like fruit, Christmas, and your favorite candy. This beer is brewed for its incredible aroma without the hops. Dry-hopping means that the beer was basically soaked in hops, but no hops were added into the liquid hence the discrepancy in smell and taste.
Single-Hopped
Single-hopped IPA uses one type of hop. Other IPAs are made with a variety of different hops to combine different flavors. Have you heard of a Citra single-hop IPA? That means that Citra (the type of hop) was the only type of hop used in the beer.
IPA FAQ
So you’ve passed the IPAs and IPA vocabulary test. Let’s see how many IPA frequently asked questions (FAQs) we can answer for you before class is dismissed.
Pale Ale vs. IPA
What’s the difference between a pale ale and an IPA? If I like pale ales will I like IPAs? An IPA is hoppier and bolder than a pale ale. If a pale ale is tabasco sauce, an IPA is a habanero hot sauce.
The only way to find out for sure is to try an IPA and see what you think! Be aware that IPAs usually have a higher ABV than traditional pale ales.
Do IPAs Go Bad Quickly?
Many IPA drinkers are sticklers about how quickly you need to consume the beer for maximum flavor and aroma. And they’re not entirely wrong. For the best IPA experience, you should drink an IPA within the first 3 weeks of production. However, you won’t get sick from drinking an IPA 4 or 5 weeks after production.
Do IPAs Cause Hangovers?
Always drink responsibly! Remember that IPAs can have a higher ABV than other beer varieties, so take your time and don’t drink too many. You can also try pairing your IPA with food!
Cheers!
Looking to test your knowledge and your taste buds? Come visit Upstream Brewing in Omaha, or call us at (402) 344-0200!