“That beer’s so aggressively bitter, I’ll bet my house and my cat it's an IPA. Nothing else.”
If craft enthusiasts uttered this a decade ago, they can get away easily with an agreeable nod. These days, somebody’s going to raise an eyebrow. IPAs are no longer just synonymous with bitterness.
Much like many fantastic beer styles, IPA has sprouted into different yet equally exciting substyles, owing to the creativity of brewers everywhere. The world’s most popular craft beer style evolved so much that its historic name ‘India Pale Ale’ is considered behind the times and using the shorter version is more acceptable.
What still prevails in the IPA, though, is the unique aromas and flavors coming from constantly evolving hops and brewing styles. Some have become extreme like the Triple IPA while others are so easy to drink any time of day like the Session IPA. So, to celebrate IPA Day, we’re spilling out what you need to know from the Engkanto IPA styles that calls for a toast.
American IPA
The roots of India Pale Ale can be traced back to England in the 1800s where the original style waxed and waned. In modern times, US craft breweries gave it their twist by adding more hops for more alcohol and more bitterness. This style became emblematic of the craft evolution and cemented the status of the craft industry as we know it. Many swear by the American IPA as their first-ever IPA. In the Engkanto beer line-up, the closest to this style is the True Brew West Coast IPA with its in-your-face hoppiness yet still drinkable and easy to pair with savory dishes.
Hazy IPA
What some would call East Coast IPA or New England IPA based on its US region of origin, the Hazy IPA is a variation of the American IPA that has a cloudy or hazy look (no surprise). From its striking appearance, the Hazy IPA comes off as ‘juicy’ for a lot of drinkers because of the tropical fruit qualities of the hops. In the case of the crowd favorite Mango Nation Hazy IPA, the addition of prized Philippine mangoes creates a distinct fruity profile that can instantly take you to a tropical getaway. Meanwhile, the use of high-quality oats is the source of the beer's creaminess.
Double IPA
It’s big, it’s bold, and it’s the result of brewers pushing the IPA beer style to the limit. Double IPA, also known as Imperial IPA, is what one can describe as an American IPA on steroids. The high level of alcohol (usually over 7% ABV) and incredible hoppiness of this beer never fail to take many enthusiasts new to craft beers on a wild ride. The use of the word ‘double’ is actually arbitrary, meaning it denotes strength beyond a regular IPA. At any rate, Green Lava Double IPA with its zesty hops has been a mainstay in the Engkanto beer line-up. It’s also the biggest one in terms of alcohol level at 8.0% ABV.
Celebrate the greatness of the IPA beer style beyond IPA Day with our Engkanto IPA bundles. We’ve barely scratched the surface since more styles are out there, including Belgian IPA, White IPA, Black IPA, and Grapefruit IPA, so go out and explore the world of craft until you find which IPA you enjoy the best!