Happy IPA Day!
India Pale Ales, or better known as IPAs, are growing more and more popular every year. In fact, this hoppy style beer is so popular there is even a whole day set aside every year to celebrate it: August 6th. But how did IPAs become so popular? How do they differ from other types of beer? And what are the different style-variations they come in? Well, we’re here to give you the low-down on all things IPA just in time for this year’s IPA Day.
A Little IPA History
Back in the late 1700′s, a London-based brewer named George Hodgson would send his pale ales he made overseas to India. He packed his beers with tons of hops and extra alcohol content, in hopes to better preserve the beer for its long journey ahead. But in return, the extra added hops and alcohol, gave the pale ale a stronger, bitter, and even more refreshing taste that was perfect for India’s hot climate. To make a long story short, that’s how India Pale Ales were born.
Over time, beer trends would come and go and the Prohibition would put a halt to brewing in the United States for some time. It wasn’t until the 1970’s when microbreweries began to pop up and the doors would open to resurrect old beer styles that had been long-forgotten such as the India Pale Ale. Shortly after that, IPAs would become the best-selling craft beer style in America.
A Style That Can Stretch
IPAs come in a wide variety of styles. This is really the main reason for their ever-so-growing popularity. Brewers are drawn to making them because it leaves them with tons of room for creativity, while craft-beer drinkers can’t get enough of them because there’s always so many options to choose from. According to Bon Appétit Magazine, here are some of the many different styles IPAs consist of: British IPA, West Coast IPA, New England IPA, East Coast IPA, Oat IPA, Milkshake IPA, Belgian IPA, Fruited IPA, and Sour IPA. We know that’s a lot. So is it easy to tell the difference between them all? The main difference between all of them are the ingredients used to brew each one. Each style IPA will have its own specific ingredient. Each ingredient will give each style its own distinguishable flavor and color, making it easy to tell them all apart.
But wait, there’s more! IPAs can also vary within their styles. An IPA can be a Session IPA, meaning there’s less alcohol and a thinner body while a Double/Imperial IPA means more alcohol and thicker body. An IPA can also vary by its hops. IPA’s can come Dry-Hopped, Double Dry-Hopped, and Triple Dry-Hopped, or even Single-Hopped and Fresh-Hopped. After all, an IPA isn’t an IPA without it’s distinct hoppy taste!
What To Drink
Now that you’re all caught up on the hype around IPAs, here’s a list of some of our India Pale Ales we carry year-round you can sip on August 6th:
National Brands:
- Goose Island IPA by Goose Island
- So-Lo IPA by Goose Island
- Space Dust IPA by Elysian Brewing
- Day Glow IPA by Elysian Brewing
- Hanalei Island IPA by Kona Brewing
- Nu Juice IPA by Southern Tier
- 2X IPA by Southern Tier
- Omission IPA by Omission Brewing
North Carolina Based Brands:
- Pernicious by Wicked Weed Brewing
- Coastal Love IPA by Wicked Weed Brewing
- Mountain Candy by Sycamore Brewing
Alabama Based Brands:
- Gulf Coast IPA by Ghost Train Brewing
- Apalach IPA by Oyster City Brewing
- Freckle Belly IPA by Back Forty Brewing
How are you celebrating IPA Day this year?
Tag us on Instagram at @AdamsBevsNC a picture of you enjoying your favorite IPA we carry on IPA Day!