What is an IPA ?

India Pale Ales stand out through their golden to amber colours, distinct bitterness and fruitiness. Why such characteristics? Well, it’s all down to hops actually, which are used in greater quantities when brewing IPAs.

The name is actually a little misleading, in that it doesn't mean that the beer was brewed in India at all. Rather it refers to the fact that in the 18th century, Britain exported this kind of beer to its empire in the east, via a gruelling six-month sea route to India, passing through the North Atlantic, around Africa and then into the Indian Ocean.

Hops actually act as a preservative, so using more meant the  was better protected during those long sea journeys.

Who came up with it then ? Have they always been as popular as they are nowadays ? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions !

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