When it comes to India Pale Ales, there are obviously a lot of choices out there. Today, after taking a closer look at my blog, I've noticed that I have presented a very glossed-over explanation of the IPA in all of its greatness, but haven't yet presented a comparative list to give better reference points from which to decide which beer best matches your palette. Today, I offer a better background explanation of the subtle differences between common India Pale Ale, Imperial variants, and hop/malt content. So, without further ado, I present to you all I have to offer in the world of IPAs. My next entry will focus on IPA alternatives (aka "lighter" beers, fruit beers, pilsners, and lagers). BUT FIRST...
IPA's You Should Try
Single Wide IPA, Boulevard Brewery
Kansas City, MO
This was the first IPA that I truly enjoyed purely for what it was. Granted, I've had the opportunity to try it on tap (at the Replay, of course), this IPA is super-clean and super-bright. The malt used doesn't have as dark of a complexion as many others I've seen on the shelf, but that doesn't keep this ale from packing a punch (59 IBU's). If you haven't tried many IPA's, this may be the one you should start with. Big grapefruit flavor right up front contrasts nicely with the huge hop undertones; to me, this is the essence of the American IPA.
Bridgeport IPA, Bridgeport Brewery
Portland, OR
Bridgeport Brewery is Oregon's first craft brewery, founded in 1985. Their India Pale Ale was one of the first to be made and mass distributed, making it a beer that many have had the opportunity to try. Most bars in Lawrence carry this beer in a bottle. At only 50 IBU's, this ale has won several awards from as far back as 1997, but doesn't carry with it the pretension of adherence to European or Belgian standards. A rich golden hue, this beer pours with a great white head, plenty of hop aroma, and a pleasant bitterness that doesn't overpower the sweet malt undertone.
Racer 5 IPA, Bear Republic Brewery
Healdsburg, CA
This IPA has a heavy malt sweetness, but the top notes of Cascade hops don't cut through the thickness like the Single-Wide IPA. A very deep flavor of malted hops permeates throughout the ale with heavy caramel and maple syrup aromas. A dark amber caramel color, this beer is a pleasant alternative to Single-Wide, and I would recommend it as a second step to take after the Single-Wide. Where Single-Wide offers sharp crisp top notes, the Racer 5 counters with a carefully balanced malted sweetness coupled with clean Cascade and Centennial flavor.
Modus Hoperandi, Ska Brewery
Durango, CO
This brand new IPA variant offers a happy medium of hops and malt that falls somewhere in between the Single-Wide and the Bridgeport IPA's. Not overly malted, the Modus Hoperandi has taken Emporia, Topeka, and Kansas City by storm, and is quickly becoming a local favorite. The way they put it themselves, Ska brewery claims that this ale is like that time you went on a vision quest with your native American friend and woke up in a pine forest full of grapefruit trees. My favorite conceptual idea of the brewery lies in the package design: it's sold in 6-packs of 12-oz. cans. Highly efficient, this snappy ale spins and swivels on one's palette like a skankin' pickle. Bright grapefruit up front like Single-Wide, yet sweet and sassy notes of pine resin from Pale malt, I could see this as being a proper third step in your journey down the IPA path (65 IBU's).
O'Fallon 5-Day IPA, O'Fallon Brewery
O'Fallon, MO
Okay, okay, okay... Months ago, I promised I would figure out what the 5-Day IPA was all about, and I have to admit that at first, I was quite dismayed by the customer response. Some people found the beer downright awful while some found it to be pleasant, sweet, and crisp (all my favorite qualities of a good IPA). They dry-hop this ale with 7 grains, 4 domestic hop variants, and a touch of class. The 5-Day time frame starts when they add dry whole hops to the top of the finishing tank, permitting it to add more hop flavor for an additional 5 days. This process ensures the proper top notes of Cascade and Glacier hops balances perfectly with the honest but direct malty sweetness up front. Let me put it this way: Give this 66 IBU IPA a try when you're ready to discover why this beer was selected as the Best Beer of St. Louis, 2008.
Hop Czar, Bridgeport Brewery
Portland, OR
Okay, now we're talking... This amazingly well-built beer is the next step in brewing perfection. Start with a deep caramel-copper color similar to the Racer 5, malted heavily. Next, triple hop each barrel with around 2 lbs of Cascade, Centennial, Nugget, and Chinook hops. Finish with an Imperial malt that takes the malt flavor just over the top, and you've got the Czar. The most bitter IPA of all I've tried (85 IBU's), I expected this beer to be less appealing than it truly is. The Imperial malt sweetness stands up to the citrus and grapefruit flavored hops nicely, making this ale (sorry to say, Single-Wide) my new favorite IPA. It's just well-built, and I don't know how else to put it. If you enjoy IPA's of various kinds, you must give this one a try. I dare you to find a better balance of bitter and sweet.
And I'm spent...
I hope that you find this information entertaining, enjoyable, and helpful (at times). Please, as always, enjoy your alcohol responsibly. All of these beers are available at Harper Corner, so feel free to swing by and take your pick. Until then...
Stay thirsty, my friends...
