IPA was born out of necessity. British brewers faced a challenge when exporting beer to British soldiers and expatriates in India. The long sea voyage from England to India posed a problem for the beer’s preservation, often resulting in spoilage due to the warm climate and lengthy transit time. To combat this, brewers increased the beer’s alcohol content and hop levels, both natural preservatives, which helped it to stay fresh and withstand the journey. To celebrate IPA day, we take a look at the variety of IPAs and some ways to incorporate them into cocktails.
English IPA
English IPAs are known for their balanced bitterness, moderate hop aroma, and earthy and floral notes. These characteristics make them suitable for cocktails that require a subtle hop presence. English IPAs work particularly well when paired with gin or whiskey to create a balanced, herbal drink.
American IPA
American IPAs feature higher bitterness, strong hop flavours, and citrusy, piney, and resinous notes. These traits make them excellent for adding a punch of flavour to citrus-forward cocktails, such as a Shandy or an IPA Margarita.
Double IPA / Imperial IPA
Double IPAs, or Imperial IPAs, have higher alcohol content and intense hop bitterness and aroma. These robust qualities make them ideal for bold cocktails. They can be used to craft a powerful IPA Sour or an Imperial IPA Old Fashioned.
New England IPA / Hazy IPA
New England IPAs, also known as Hazy IPAs, are characterised by their juicy, fruity flavours, hazy appearance, and lower bitterness. These attributes make them perfect for tropical cocktails, where they can be paired with rum and fruit juices to create a Tropical IPA Punch.
Session IPA
Session IPAs offer lower alcohol content while still being hoppy and more drinkable. These features make them ideal for lighter cocktails, such as a Session IPA Collins or an IPA Spritz.
Black IPA / Cascadian Dark Ale
Black IPAs, or Cascadian Dark Ales, combine dark malts with roasted flavours and hoppy bitterness. This combination adds complexity to cocktails, making them suitable for a Black IPA Manhattan or an IPA Negroni.
Belgian IPA
Belgian IPAs are influenced by Belgian yeast, resulting in fruity esters and spicy phenols. These unique characteristics add a distinct twist to cocktails, making them a good choice for a Belgian IPA Fizz or an IPA Mule.
