Have you ever wondered how IPA beer got its name? This guide explains the fascinating history all IPA lovers should know!
Have you ever been in the mood for a new craft beer but weren’t sure what to try? You may have been standing at the bar or in front of a food truck, scanning different names and then you wonder, what is IPA?
The origins of IPA beer predate US history by a long shot. Keep reading to find out more about the history of IPA beer.
The British Missed Their Booze
It was the 1780s. The English were living high on the hog enjoying trade profit with the East India Company. British soldiers were making the months-long journey to and from the Eastern territories with goods and wares.
Unfortunately, the beer never made it because the British were constantly running into problems transporting beer from their homeland to the Eastern territories.
British companies knew beer would make huge profits if they could get just get it to the Eastern territories.
It Was Too Hot
So why not brew it there? Well, it was simply too hot.
Most of the EIC trade took place in modern-day India. Temperatures were much higher than the British were used to.
They also lacked the technology to keep storerooms and supplies cool enough for brewing and storage.
The Journey Was Too Long
So why not bring the booze along? This seemed like a simple solution at the time. However, two problems quickly arose.
The journey from England to India took six to nine months. Without proper cooling capabilities, barrels of beer would go bad.
And that’s if the beer made it there at all. Keep in mind, sailors making these long journeys enjoyed their English beer. Seafarers would often drink all the beer on board before it had the chance to go bad.
Either way, the English booze wasn’t making its way to the east. The East India Company wasn’t making any profit off English beer.
Necessity Is the Mother of Invention
Englishman George Hodgson had some ideas, but his first few attempts fell flat.
First, he tried using unfermented beer, but that didn’t work.
Next, he thought beer concentrate would work if it could be diluted on arrival. Nope.
So he thought about the October Ale. October Ale was made with extra hops. The barley was fresh and it was often used by wealthy English families to celebrate their first son’s 18th birthday. It was brewed after their son was born and was left to age. This only improved the taste of the brew.
Hodgson adapted the October ale to make the months-long trip with the EIC. He primed it with extra sugar, which helped it keep during the long trip to India. This newly hopped-up ale also had a higher alcohol content.
The result was a sparkling and refreshing ale that took off like gangbusters. By the mid-1800s, this extra hoppy beer was commonly called India Pale Ale.
Going Rogue
Hodgon’s IPA beer was a huge success. Hodgson and his sons parted ways with the EIC and made a lucrative business out of shipping IPA beer themselves.
When Hodgon’s sons took over, they had no tolerance for copycat ales. If they heard of any competition they would immediately drop prices and flood the market. Once the competition was scared off, they’d hike prices back up again.
This worked for a while until Allsopp brewing created a replica for the EIC. It was a win-win for English soldiers in the Eastern territories. The new IPA beer gave them the crisp Ale they wanted and the antibiotics needed to kick their scurvy.
Forgot But Not Lost
India Pale Ale hype didn’t last forever. By the early 1900s, it was all but forgotten. The rise of refrigeration took the sparkle out of IPA for almost a century.
In the mid-1970s, Americans started to take interest in unique brews. What’s more American than higher alcohol content, right? Once rediscovered, IPA beer underwent a second evolution.
West Coast IPA
As Americans do, we’ve come up with our own modern versions of IPA beer. West coast IPAs are still top-fermented. West coast style brewers toss in the hoppy goodness during the kettle boil.
This has the same effect as brewing tea. As a result, bitter flavors take the driver’s seat in most West Coast IPA beer.
East Coast IPA
East coast IPA beer is also top-fermented. These brewers dry hop, or add hops in during the fermentation process. This makes their IPA beer more fruity and less bitter.
A Good Time for IPA Beer
Craft brewing is at an all-time high in the US. It’s great for local economies. Brewing is a great way to explore new methods. Tasting new brews isn’t a bad way to pass the time either.
Then there is the interesting history of craft brews. IPA beer is no exception. Who knew Hodgson’s extra hoppy experiment would turn into one of the most popular craft beers in the US?
Looking for a new place to try craft beer? Check out Upstream Brewing Company in Omaha, NE. Sample our selection of beer, wine, and food. We even cater events. Call us at (402) 344-0200 for more information.
At Upstream Brewing Company, we want you to eat well and drink better.