English IPA vs. American IPA is the traditional pair in terms of comparison when it comes to IPAs but it is only the beginning when it comes to the variety within the category and the increasing creativity poured into brewing American IPAs.
We sat down and tasted several IPAs in order to outline the key attributes of India Pale Ale across the most prominent styles. We usually do not taste craft beer in this manner and it was actually fun to compare styles in a sequence.
The origins of IPA
Let me recap several facts from beer history. IPA is all about the hops. Hops were first thought (per recorded evidence) to have been used as a beer bittering agent around 820 AD in a monastery in Northern France. For centuries to come flavoring beer was common practice – it would otherwise be a super sweet and spoil prone fermented beverage. The typical method was using gruit, a blend of astringent herbs and spices such as rosemary, yarrow, juniper, heather, sometimes even dried fruit.
The use of hops was not embraced by the British in beer making until the late 1700s. Their role was to both flavor and preserve the beer. At the time there was a style called October beer brewed by George Hodgson at his Bow Brewery. It had a higher alcohol content and was generously hopped. Known to last for months the style was a favorite for exports as it could survive long journeys through turbulent waters.
Through a series of interesting events this style dominated the British beer exports (including to India) and later surpassed the popularity of porter in Britain. In the mid 1800s the extra hoppy pale ale became known as India Pale Ale.
English IPA vs. American IPA
English IPA
English IPAs have deep golden/amber color and are known for being very well balanced.
They typically have strong malty character with dominant toffee, biscuit and caramel flavors. These are derived from the traditional English malts used to brew them. English IPAs are fermented by English ale yeast which brings about distinct fruity esters.
Flying Fish Brewing Hopfish IPA is considered to be one of the most true to the English IPA style ales brewed in the US.
The hops used in English IPA contribute very specific herbal flavors that balance the sweetness through a controlled hop bite. These are hops low in alpha acids (bitterness), but highly aromatic.
Traditionally English grown hops such as East Kent Golding were used, but today similar European varietals are common as well. The Hopfish IPA we tasted for example was brewed with a combination of European hops.
English IPAs pair famously well with food and are really great partners to classic English cheeses such as Cheddar and Stilton Blue Cheese.
Notable style examples are: Sam Smith IPA, Harpoon IPA, Shipyard Brewing Co. Fuggles IPA.
American IPA
American IPAs are quite diverse and can be further divided into several sub-styles.
On average they are more aggressively hopped than the English ones and with bittering hops rather than aroma hops. They are overall very fragrant and flavorful and deliver a drinking experience that has elevated them to the status of America’s best loved beer style.
At the broadest level they can be geographically split into East Coast and West Coast IPAs.
Also check out these notes on Hazy IPA, Milkshake IPA, Brett IPA and Brut IPA.
East Coast American IPA
These ales are somewhat similar to English IPAs in that they tend to display a malty backbone with hints of caramel, an accompanying full body and fruity/citrusy aroma and a moderately aggressive bitterness. Not as balanced as the English ones and using Amercian ale yeasts and hops.
West Coast American IPA
West Coast IPAs are definitely not the style of beer to offer up to a craft beer novice, although for many it has been the very style that opened up the world of craft beer.
In general, most people are completely shocked by the bitter assault to the taste buds that West Coast IPAs can deliver. The bitterness however is inseparable from vibrant and refreshing fruity aromas and does come with notes of biscuit or toast.
The West Coast IPAs brewed in San Diego and central California tend to exhibit a sticky bitterness and have strong aromas such as grapefruit, orange, lemons, pineapple and mango.
The IPAs of the Pacific Northwest are better known for potent aromas such as pine trees, cut flowers or grass and have a more subdued bitterness.
We picked Lagunitas Brewing Co. IPA which is made with 43 different hops. Other great examples of West Coast style IPAs include Stone Brewing Co. Stone IPA, Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA, Sierra Nevada Torpedo IPA, … really, there are just so many out there.
As far as Northwest examples are concerned, we like the creations of Deschutes Brewery in Bend, OR as well as Bridge Port Brewing Co. in Portland, OR.
West Coast IPAs are amazing partners to Asian cuisine. One of our most favorite pairings in the whole world is Green Flash Brewing Co. Tangerine Soul Style IPA and green papaya salad with Chinese sausage.
New England style American IPA
These murky looking IPAs are relatively new and do not pride themselves on bitterness, but rather on a freshly squeezed juice like experience.
In fact, their IBU is so low that they are milder than English IPAs. Their zesty hoppiness is suppressed and balanced by juicy fruit flavors and an almost chewy mouthfeel. They are hazy and very aromatic, with intense flavors of papaya, melon and orange.
Instead of a bold hoppy bite a creamy, fruity flavor coats the tongue. The yeasts used to ferment this style contribute beautiful esters (while yeast esters are downplayed with West Coast IPAs in favor of the hops aromatics).
The NE style IPA was officially recognized by the Craft Brewers Association only after it had been (and still is) growing in popularity for awhile.
Most contemporary breweries make a NE IPA (or two) to meet the growing customer demand.
The style is also known as the Nebraska style IPA because it actually originated in an Omaha brewery. Funny how things work out in the world of craft beer.
Chris recently made an amazing NE style IPA (below). It really turned out so well that we decided to include it as a representative of the style. The recipe he used was for the original Juicy Bits of WeldWerks Brewing Co. here in Colorado.
Imperial IPA
Another official IPA style that builds up on the English IPA vs. American IPA relationship is the Imperial (Double) IPA.
We picked Mendocino Brewing Eye of the Hawk Imperial IPA (below) as a representative. This style uses double the amount of hops and originated (you guessed it) on the West Coast. In order for the intense hoppiness to be balanced double the amount of malts is used as well, which results in a stronger ale with a pronounced alcohol warmth. In other words – boozy (ABV is around 10%). Imperial IPAs have a signature dry finish.
Good examples of Imperial (Double) IPA include the original Russian River Pliny the Elder and our Colorado Avery Brewing Co. Maharaja.
We also tasted Lagunitas Hop Stupid, which boasts a bitterness factor of over 100 IBU. It is thought that most people cannot perceive bitterness nuances past the 90 – 100 IBU mark, so draw your own conclusions here… Some people literally go crazy over beers like Hop Stoopid.
There are also many other styles, such as Session IPA, Wild IPA, Black IPA, White IPA, Red IPA, Belgian IPA, Rye IPA, Milkshake IPA, Brut IPA…
The obsession with the category is serious! Brewers have been experimenting with malts, hops and yeast and continue to cross the boundaries of the guidelines relevant to the traditional styles.
The main line of reference remains between the traditional English IPA vs. American IPA (and its sub styles).
I personally gravitate towards the English IPA, but I do appreciate the New England style American IPA and the Brett fermented varieties popular as of late. Chris is a huge fan of the juicy New England style and Session IPAs. Overall though, runaway IBUs are not our thing. And we are fine with that.
It is really fun to taste IPAs to compare styles. Even though there are defined aromas and flavors within each style or sub-style tasting the same style across breweries is always, always an adventure and the beers often have substantial differences. Often times you notice variations that transcend style definitions – one brewery’s West Coast IPA could taste much milder than another brewery’s traditional pale ale.
Tam o' Banter says
I heartily applaud the explosion of amazing ales and beers which America has given the world in the last couple of decades. Many dedicated and talented individuals have devoted their lives to this seemingly simple product and we have all been fortunate to reap the benefits.
But I will NEVER forgive The Americans for the insult which The World now thinks is IPA! Rancid Opal Fruits in a glass is a polite description. Stone IPA is an experiment which more….seasoned (sane) brewers recognise as a mistake. Instead, they extol its virtues as an adolescent would the hottest chili sauce he can find. It and its ilk are a travesty.
IPA is easy-drinking, aromatic, and refreshing. It should not make your mouth react as if you have just squeezed the last lemon in the back of the fridge into your mouth and followed with with a shot of vodka.
I feel desperately sorry for my beer-drinking American brothers who have been taught to believe that this is what beer should taste like.
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says
I had no idea there was so much to know about IPAs! (This should come as no surprise.) As a West Coast native, the section on WC IPAs is especially interesting :). Have a great weekend, Milena!
CraftBeering says
You too Kelsie!