What are IPAs?
The most popular hopped beer in the world
IPA, also known as India Pale Ale, is probably one of the best known and most sought-after styles.
IPA means one thing: hops - lots and lots of fragrant, bright, citrusy hops. As hops help keep the bacteria in beer at bay, they were originally added to keep beer fresh across long voyages to British troops in India in the past. It was so popular that it became a mainstream staple! Neat, right?
They are bitter beers full of floral aromas, the perfect combination for an rich aromatic and taste experience. IPA is one of the broadest styles of craft beer today - with these being the most popular variants: American IPA, Double IPA, Triple IPA, Session IPA, New England IPA, DDH IPA, Red IPA, Sour IPA, Fruit IPA.
Check out what our favourite IPA's are!
India Pale Ale
IPAs are top-fermented beers, the main characteristic is the bitterness. This is the main flavour profile that differentiates it from Pale Ale. Typically, IPA may taste like citrus or tropical fruits, be grassy, flowery or even earthy. The foam is usually firm and cream coloured. The American IPA, the most famous of the India Pale Ale, is characterized by the citrus and herbaceous aromas and flavours produced by hops such as Cascade, Amarillo and Simcoe.
Overview of the most important IPA facts
- Colour: Usually golden to copper colour
- Bitterness: Stressed bitter by the hops, usually 40-60 IBU (bitterness units), may even be over 100 IBU
- Aroma: Depending on the hop variety
Check out our IPA selection
Buying IPAs with Beerwulf
The style is so broad, read everything you need to know about IPAs to learn more about the many sub-categories of these hoppy brews, such as session IPAs. All of our beer cases will be delivered to your door free of charge. If home draught is more your thing then order 8 SUB Kegs or 2 BLADE Kegs for free delivery!
What IPA beer brands do we have?
There are many great IPA beer brands - Arguably one of most famous IPAs around is Brewdog's Punk IPA, it's an icon of its style. Rumour has it that Punk is the "beer that kick-started" the craft revolution in the UK, but let's leave that to the beer historians.
Punk IPA's flavour profile is an explosion of flavour, tones of mango, pineapple, grapefruit, lychee and much more. It's in the aftertaste that this India Pale Ale really flexes its bitter muscles, this riotous concoction is finished off with a bitter hit.
Lagunitas IPA too, is an absolute legendary beer and respected the world over. This famous American IPA it is another perfect example of its style, it is well-rounded and very very mooreish.
Lots of today’s most admired brewers, Fourpure, Stone, Wild Beer Co and Brixton to name just a few, have a range of tasty IPAs to explore. Take a look around and try as many as you can!