What exactly is an IPA?
Have you tried Blue Jumper IPA yet? We love old school west coast American IPAs and Blue Jumper is true to the style. Bold, bitter and bangin’ with American hops. But what exactly is an IPA?
IPA stands for India Pale Ale. It is a style of beer that originated in England in the 19th century. IPA is characterised by its strong hop bitterness, floral and citrusy hop aroma, and higher alcohol content compared to other beer styles.
The history of IPA dates back to the days of the British Empire when beer was shipped from England to India. To survive the long journey, extra hops were added to the beer to act as a natural preservative. This resulted in a beer with a higher alcohol content and a pronounced hop character. Over time, the style evolved, and modern IPAs come in various sub-styles such as American IPA, English IPA, Double IPA (DIPA), New England IPA (NEIPA), and more.
What makes IPAs so special is their bold and assertive hop flavors and aromas. This can range from piney and resinous to tropical fruit and citrus notes. The bitterness level can also vary, with some IPAs being more balanced and others emphasizing the hop bitterness.
Blue Jumper is all about the hoppy bitterness. Best enjoyed with an old school Fr. Ted episode. Remember you were wearing your Blue Jumper???