Why the IPA Craze?

It’s come to symbolize the modern beer drinker. It’s widely seen as the drink of choice for urbanites, and it’s a must-have for any craft brewer’s lineup. The India Pale Ale may fall under the banner of the pale ale style but in the 21^st century it has taken on a life of its own.

Originating in the 19^th British Empire, India Pale Ale takes its name from the former British colony in which it was extremely popular. According to popular folklore, because of the long journey to India and the hot climate there, any beers imported from Britain tended to spoil before they could arrive to thirsty soldiers and colonists. The answer was to take the already popular pale ale style and increase the alcohol and hop content to ensure freshness and avoid spoilage. The result was a robust and aromatic beer that could make the voyage in perfect condition and survive the hot climate.

In actuality, the beer was the result of a trend at the time to increase the hop content of all beers. It’s name comes from a business deal made between the Bow Brewery and the East India Company. Bow had created a hoppier version of the pale ale, which became quite popular with the East India tradesmen who operated in the area of the Middlesex-Essex border at the time. The beer was then shipped to India where its popularity flared following an advertising campaign that labeled the beer a pale ale brewed for India. As a result, the name Indian Ale, Indian Pale Ale, and India Pale ale became the call signs of the beer, especially as competing breweries created their own renditions.

Over the centuries, the IPA became a standard among British styles. The United States has more recent, but increasingly fond feelings toward the style. While the pilsner continues to dominate the American masses, the craft beer explosion in the last few decades has pushed the IPA and its variants to the head of the line, taking Generation X and drinking age Millennials by storm. Some scoff at the idea of a beer with such a strong hops taste and aroma. Some disparage it as fermented perfume in a pint. But many more have embraced the style.

Today one would be hard pressed to find a single craft brewery that doesn’t have at least one IPA. Many have built on the time-honored style by producing double and even triple IPA’s, Black IPA’s, Rye IPA’s, and American IPA’s. As with any style of beer, the sub-style is separated by the ingredients used in addition to the traditional ones, such as black malt, a double or triple dose of hops, or malted rye. Leinenkugel’s has set the style on its head with the unveiling of its signature India Pale Lager: The only difference between Leinenkugel’s and traditional IPA is the beer has been lagered, or cold fermented just above freezing.

In addition to Leinkugel’s many, if not all Wisconsin craft breweries offer an IPA. Lakefront, Tyranena, and Point each offer a standard recipe IPA, while Sprecher features a double IPA and its subsidiary, Chameleon Brewing, offers a session IPA and Rye IPA. Pushing the envelope a bit further than its Wisconsin competitors, Milwaukee Brewing Company offers an Americanized version of the India Black Ale as part of its primary lineup, along with a unique seasonal offering called Hoptoberfest. Though not a true IPA, the seasonal brew blends traditional Oktoberfest style with IPA character.

Thanks to renewed interest in beer, due mostly to the craft brew craze, more beer drinkers are drinking outside the box — or bottle, with draft brews. Long established but once greatly overlooked styles like the IPA are now topping the list for many micro-brewers. And with interest comes innovation. Here’s to hoping for a bourbon barrel IPA.