IPA

A high fermentation beer

IPA (India Pale Ale) type beers have been very trendy for several years and appreciated by amateurs in Europe and the United States.

This bitter beer is of English origin and is one of the top fermentation beers. This technique means that to produce it, yeasts are used and ferment at high temperature (between 16°C and 25°C) unlike low fermentation beers whose yeasts ferment at temperatures between 7°C and 15°C.

Originally, it was a beer brewed especially to withstand the boat trip from England for delivery to India.

In the 18th century, the English sent  lager beers (Pale Ale) to their colonies in India for the English who were there. The journey between these two lands was tumultuous and could last up to 5 months. Cargoes underwent significant temperature changes and often arrived in poor condition. Breweries then came up with the idea of creating beers that were stronger in alcohol and in hops. In fact, the antiseptic properties of hops help preserve beer and prevent the proliferation of bacteria while retaining its taste qualities.

Forgotten due to technical progress, it was not until the 1970s that this hopped beer became popular again. At that time, several American brewers created micro-breweries to make craft beers. On this occasion, they revisited old English recipes and brewed them with malts, hops or American yeasts.

Today, there are many variations of the traditional India Pale Ale with in particular the "American Pale Ale" beers brewed from American hops with a fruity taste or the "Irish Pale Ale", blond beers between the simple Pale English ale and the more hoppy version of the Americans. To be discovered in our beer cellar!

How to associate an IPA?

In terms of taste, bitterness dominates. However, IPA is not all about this characteristic. The hops used provide subtle and diverse notes, so depending on the hops used, fruity, citrus, herbaceous or spicy flavours combine with bitterness.

This hoppy and fruity side goes perfectly with a tropical fruit salad made, for example, with lychee, mango and pineapple.

These fruits are often present on the nose and on the palate in IPAs. The tasting reinforces this fruity side in the mouth.

India Pale Ale also pairs well with chocolate flavours like white chocolate contrasting with the bitterness of beer.

For savoury appetizers, serve your beer with crackers or crisps.