Ben Edmunds, brewmaster at Breakside Brewery in Portland, Ore. (Photo courtesy John Foyston) Earlier this week, I was sitting over
American-style IPAs are as popular as ever and brewers are adding more flavors to the style. But at some point
The familiar tale of IPA is simple enough: Pale, hoppy beer is ingeniously invented by the Brits specifically to weather
Drake’s Brewing Co. San Leandro, California Style: IPA ABV: 6.7% Review: A beautiful yellow, golden straw color that is slightly
Sixpoint Brewery Brooklyn, NY Resin is one of Sixpoint Brewery’s latest beers to be released for year-round canning, joining Sweet
Golden Road Brewing Co. Los Angeles Point The Way is brewed with two-row, Golden Promise and Caramalt and hopped with
Imperial IPAs (also known as Double IPAs) are distinguished by their prominent hop aromas and flavors and an intense, assertive bitterness. Colors range from deep gold to deep amber. These hop characteristics should be balanced by a rich malt backbone, mid- to high-level notes and fruity esters. They are medium- to full-bodied in weight and notes of astringency and hop haze are accepted. Depending on the varieties of hops being used, the drinker can experience a wide range of hop flavors, including tart citrus peels, pepper and earthy pinelike notes.
India pale ales are deep gold to amber in color and are usually characterized by floral hop aromas and a distinctive hop bitterness on the finish. India pale ales were originally brewed by British brewers in the 19th century, when British troops and colonizers depended upon supplies of beer shipped from England. Standard ales did not survive the journey; hence, brewers developed high gravity, highly hopped ales that survived shipment in casks to their largest market, India. This style, probably not anywhere near as bitter as it was when destined for India, continues to be brewed in a toned-down manner in the United Kingdom and is undergoing a mini-revival at present. However, U.S. craft brewers have claimed the style as their own, and often brew it with assertive Pacific Northwestern hop varieties that give such examples a hugely aromatic hop accent.
Each year, the first round of the World Beer Championships is reserved for British and North American ale styles. Following
Speakeasy Ales and Lager San Francisco Style: IPA ABV: 7.6 Review: The color of the beer pairs nicely with the
