To begin our explanation of the origin of IPAs, we need to first clarify a terminological definition important so that no one gets confused when they start reading the article:
- Currently there are beers called English IPA: they are the that follow the recipe of the original IPAs, from when it all started in the United Kingdom.
- On the other hand, the term IPA today refers to beers with a recipe more adapted to the North American style, which is quite different from the original British style (we will explain this in this post).
ok? come on, let's continue!
The trend of pale beers
The English IPAs (India Pale Ale originals) gave rise to a family of VERY HOPPY beers, a symbol of the flag of the artisan movement. In fact, it all started in the second half of the 18th century, when the British Empire was experiencing its greatest expansion "creating colonies" on different continents, highlighting India, which was the jewel of the crown. At this time, boat trips to the Indies were constant and beer, which was part of the routine of all the crew members of these boats, could not be missing.
At the same time, the brewmasters of the time had learned how to make some pale ales beers (the Pale Ales) that had caused a sensation, thanks to the new light roasting methods of the malt This is why the troops and settlers displaced to India wanted to continue drinking these trendy beers in the metropolis, but there were neither raw materials nor adequate conditions to make them, so the solution was to import them from England.
A new Pale Ale is born
The desire to take the Pale Ales to the Indies was great, but the long journey of four to six months by sea, crossing the tropics twice, did not provide adequate conditions to keep the beers in good condition. Existing documents tell us that around 1760 British brewmasters recommended the use of large quantities of hops to improve the conservation of beers that had to be sent to tropical climates (since hops are a natural bactericide and fungicide, that help preserve the beer), and they did the same for export to India.
The oldest surviving written recipe dates back to 1821 and in 1835 an advertisement for Hodgson's popular hoppy pale ale in the Liverpool Mercury newspaper mentions the style for the first time East India Pale Ale, which enjoyed popularity for the rest of the 19th century not only in the colonies -where it accounted for 50% of total beer consumption- but, above all, in the British Isles and in London, capital of the Empire. It is in this way that the hoppy Pale Ale that was prepared to be taken to India gave rise to the India Pale Ale.
The Disappearance
During the period of the two World Wars (during the 20th century), the original English IPAs (India Pale Ale were no longer produced ) in the United Kingdom for different reasons: changes in habits, lack of raw materials and new taxes on malt, which oriented the British consumer towards lighter styles such as Bitter and Mild. On the other hand, on the North American continent, some brewers continued to brew English IPAs (EIPAs).
However, EIPAs and many other classic styles kept disappearing, so in 1970 the CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) emerged in Europe in 1970. , Campaign for Real Ales), an association that championed local brewing traditions, which allegedly spurred the return of English IPAs and the rediscovery of the style by craft brewers in the United States in the 80's But the IPAs that became famous in the US were no longer identical to the ones made in the UK...so the popularity was focused on this new invention.
United Kingdom and United States: united by the IPAs
Today the English IPAs (India Pale Ale originals) that traveled to India are in favor back on the market to rescue a historic style. It is different what happens with the IPAs (North American) that live an accelerated evolution and continuous diversification, with a lot of creativity and, sometimes, also some freaks :)
The basic differences between the two would be:
- English IPAs: have a more marked hop character, their color can range from golden to amber-copper, with a transparent appearance, whitish foam. They are medium-bodied beers with a balance that favors bitterness. We find more earthy flavors, tea, spices like pepper and fruit like bitter orange. The earthy, slightly floral and woody touch of British hop varieties is very recognizable.
- IPAs (American): the colors range from gold to copper, with whitish foam and good transparency. Its main sensory trait is the great intensity of American hops both in aroma and flavor, which provide a hoppy character that can be citrus, floral, perfumed, pungent, resinous, piney and/or or tropical fruits such as mango or pineapple.
Now that you are (even) clearer about the difference between these IPAs, it's time to choose your favorites and try them CHEERS!
