If you are considering trying India pale ale (IPA) beer for this first time, this guide can help. Here is everything to know about IPA beer for new drinkers.
Are you a new drinker that’s just discovering the beauty of craft beer for the first time? Have you heard craft beer fanatics talk about “IPAs” and want to know more?
If so, then you probably have several questions. What does IPA mean? How did IPA beer get its name? Why is it so popular in the world right now? How can thousands of breweries have different variations of the same thing?
Fret not, new companion. Welcome to the world of microbrewing! See below for an in-depth guide answering all your questions relating to IPAs and why you should try them.
How Did IPA Beer Get Its Name?
A lot has been made of IPA beers in the past decade. As the popularity of craft brewing continues to grow, more and more people are being exposed to the idea of IPAs for the first time.
IPA stands for “India Pale Ale”, and the name of the beer goes all the way back to the British Colonial era. As legend has it, British soldiers that were stationed in India needed a beer that they could serve in the east.
Most of the popular styles were too heavy for the hot conditions in India, where they were stationed. Because of that, they decided to brew a new kind of beer that could be made in Britain, shipped to India, then served to the British soldiers once it arrived.
To do that, the beer had to be able to survive the trip, which took six months by boat. This special beer was given the name “India Pale Ale” in reference to why it was created in the first place.
These days, it’s one of the most popular types of beers in the industry. Their flavor profile is unmatched among other types of beer..
Why Are IPAs So Popular?
For new drinkers such as yourself, it might seem as if IPAs are everywhere. No matter what brewery you visit or which city you go to, there are always different variations of IPAs to be found.
So what makes India Pale Ales so popular in the first place? The most intriguing factor for consumers is the flexibility of this type of beer. IPAs can be made into many different types such as:
• American IPAs
• Dry-Hopped IPAs
• West Coast IPAs
• New England IPAs
The list goes on and on. Believe it or not, there are even milkshake IPAs. These different types allow brewers to flex their talents. No two IPAs are the same, so many drinkers end up swearing by the IPA their favorite brewery makes.
Another reason for their popularity is the bold flavor. IPAs offer a complexity of flavors that will even leave experts guessing the profiles at times. It can offer a taste that’s both bitter and fruity; bold, yet light; hazy, yet thirst-quenching.
Lastly, many people enjoy them as a way to socialize. There’s nothing better than sitting down with friends and slowly chipping away at an IPA. They’re tasty and generally offer higher alcohol by volume (ABV, for short) that can range anywhere from 6.5-percent to 8-percent.
Three Upstream Brewing IPAs You Can Try
Now that you have seen the history and intrigue of IPAs, see below for a few IPAs we make that may fit your fancy.
Flagship IPA
Our Flagship IPA is one of our clientele’s top choices of all our brews. It’s an American IPA, which means it focuses on a floral and fruity flavor.
It’s brewed with Chinook, Sultzana, Amarillo, and Centennial hops, giving it a complexity of flavors that you’ll enjoy. You’ll get a piney aftertaste that will leave you wanting more.
On a scale of light to dark, it leans towards the lighter side, making it an easy transition for those of you that have only ever drunk lagers. Immerse yourself in the culture with our Flagship IPA.
Nebraska Hop Yard Session IPA
Perhaps you’re looking to expand your horizons on craft beer while easing yourself into the bold and bitter flavor of IPAs. If that’s the case, then Session IPAs are a great place to start.
The entire idea around Session IPAs is that they offer a combination of lighter alcohol by volume while still offering that hoppy and fruity taste of an India Pale Ale.
The Nebraska Hop Yard Session IPA is a seasonal beer that has a light body and features Nebraska-grown hops, which is how it got its name.
Bauman + Schwedhelm Farmhouse IPA
If you’re looking for something completely different than most IPAs, then try a Farmhouse IPA the next time that you’re in.
Also known as a “Saison”, a Farmhouse IPA offers lower alcohol content levels while still jampacking a fruity and spicy taste. They’re refreshingly light, but still offer a great range of flavors for you to enjoy.
Ours has an amber and orange appearance, and is brewed with Nebraska-grown Cascade hops, Chinook hops, and Centennial hops. The aesthetic is Instagram-worthy and gives you a crisp taste that drinkers of all ages will enjoy.
Try India Pale Ales for Yourself Today
Enough reading and researching. It’s time to try them out for yourself!
Find out how many calories are in beer and how you can calculate them for yourself. Call us at (402) 344-0200 for more information, and be sure to visit our brewery for yourself so that you can get the true, Nebraska-grown experience.