IPA and Pale Ale

IPA, Pale Ale, and Blonde Ale

Currently, IPA beers are the most sought-after style among beer fans. In just a few years, master brewers have given the style impossible evolutions, traversing palettes of flavors and aromas ranging from resinous and herbal notes to tropical fruit, including citrus. This style and all its variations have been closely linked to Craft beers worldwide.

The origin of IPAs dates back to the 18th century when the British sent beer to their overseas colonies, especially in India. Transportation by ship was not easy, and the beers were not prepared to withstand long journeys with temperature changes. Initially, Porter-style beers were sent, as they were the English's favorite, but since there was no refrigeration or pasteurization, the beers spoiled halfway, so they did not reach their destination in optimal conditions, which prompted brewers to look for a solution to this problem.

In 1790, English brewer George Hodgson began to produce his Pale Ale beer with an extra addition of hops, where at the end of the brewing process, he introduced hops in a sack, which he then submerged into the beer tank for several days so that the lupulin would bitter the beer. In addition, he also increased the alcohol content, thus managing to preserve the beer during the journey to India, and that is where IPA, Indian Pale Ale, beers were born.

IPAs are more bitter than Pale Ales due to the extra hop load.