Anti-IPA ?

[killerhertz]

This is telling- and evidence toward my hypothesis that there is a real trend toward 'bigger and badder' IPAs as the newest locker room dickwaving contest. Chriso's distinction between IIPA and IPA is an important one. IIPAs are not for the meek! I do love my hops, but I don't always want enamel-stripping, kick you in the face bitterness. I want lots of hop flavor and aroma that I can experience the depth of.

Also keep in mind the distinction between IPA and IIPA is ABV, not IBU. Stone Ruination, Sierra Nevada Celebration, and Bell's Two Hearted are prob my fav IPAs, but I wouldn't classify them as imperial. For an IPA, which has a higher ABV than amber/pale/etc to begin with, the "imperial" classification is probably up around 9-10%. Those beers are all 7-8%.

 

[flyangler18]

Also keep in mind the distinction between IPA and IIPA is ABV, not IBU. Stone Ruination, Sierra Nevada Celebration, and Bell's Two Hearted are prob my fav IPAs, but I wouldn't classify them as imperial. For an IPA, which has a higher ABV than amber/pale/etc to begin with, the "imperial" classification is probably up around 9-10%. Those beers are all 7-8%.

Stone Ruination is, according to the BJCP Guidelines, an Imperial IPA

BJCP 2008 Style Guidelines - Category 14

 

[Chriso]

I do. You sissy.
(...)
Gueze is absolutely incredible, and anyone who says otherwise should be banned from beer forever.

Don't take me wrong! I'm developing more of an appreciation for IIPAs as time passes, just as I've developed a fondness for IPAs over the past year that, before I started brewing, I did not have. I'm just not to the point where I love IIPAs on principle, yet. To be fair, I like Bittersweet Lenny's Rye IIPA quite a bit, and that's QUITE pungent.

And ... agreed. Banished from the kingdom.

Hmm.... i wonder what a PEACH IPA would taste like...

Have you ever had a chance to try DFH Aprihop? That's a good start! It's distinctly apricot-y, but it's a fairly similar flavor palate to peach, enough to give you an approximation!

That said..........I think you've inspired me. I think I'm going to craft a Peach IPA now. I'm thinking a little Amarillo, a little Galena.... Thanks for the idea! I will report back to you, and if it's good, send yer a bottle!

 

[Chriso]

Also keep in mind the distinction between IPA and IIPA is ABV, not IBU. Stone Ruination, Sierra Nevada Celebration, and Bell's Two Hearted are prob my fav IPAs, but I wouldn't classify them as imperial. For an IPA, which has a higher ABV than amber/pale/etc to begin with, the "imperial" classification is probably up around 9-10%. Those beers are all 7-8%.

BJCP Style Guidelines
14B American IPA
Vital Statistics:
OG: 1.056 – 1.075
IBUs: 40 – 70
FG: 1.010 – 1.018
ABV: 5.5 – 7.5%
14C Imperial IPA
Vital Statistics:
OG: 1.070 – 1.090
IBUs: 60 – 120
FG: 1.010 – 1.020
ABV: 7.5 – 10%

Brewers Association (beertown.org) Style Guidelines
American-Style India Pale Ale
Original Gravity (ºPlato): 1.060-1.075 (14.7-18.2 ºPlato)
Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (ºPlato): 1.012-1.018 (3-4.5 ºPlato)
Alcohol by Weight (Volume): 5-6% (6.3-7.5%)
Bitterness (IBU): 50-70
Imperial Or Double India Pale Ale
Original Gravity (ºPlato): 1.075-1.100 (19.5-23.5 ºPlato)
Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (ºPlato): 1.018-1.028 (4.5-7 ºPlato)
Alcohol by Weight (Volume): 6.0-8.4% (7.5-10.5%)
Bitterness (IBU): 65-100

Sorry. Your point doesn't hold water. The disctinction is not just ABV.

 

[EdWort]

I like IPA's, but the few Imperial IPA's or Double IPA's I've tried have been too sweet for my tastes. The latest one is Flying Dog's Double IPA. It's a sipping beer, but I would much rather be drinking a Sierra Nevada Bigfoot or Lagunita's Gnalrly Wine. Double Dog is too dog sweet for me.

 

[thedude123]

I like a Dry IPA. I think Lagunitas is good. I like Avery IPA as well.

 

[Righlander]

Got to start out small and work your way up.

Think of an IPA like your first day in prison. When Bubba comes up to initiate you you really don't want him to have that big of a package. After a few weels with Bubba (Broken Halo) you kind of get used to it and then when King Dong (Dogfish 120) comes up and wants to make you his b!tch you accept it a lot easier and might actually look forward to it because you started out small.

Dude, wow! dahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah! brilliant analogy. Frickin hilarious!

 

[brokenanchor]

Oh hell yeah +1 to Avery...I knew there was one I couldn't think of earlier...would have helped if I had looked in the fridge. I seem to like those Colorado brews quite a bit though, maybe I'm kind of biased.

 

[SkinnyShamrock]

What's the best part about brewing IPAs? More beer for me

Hahahaha so true.

Some of my favorite commercial beers are DFH 60 minute and Troegs Hopback, they're so hoppy and good.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

Anyone else with me?

I mean, I love what hops bring to the table... but most IPAs are just... a little too much on the hops for me.

IPAs make me feel hops aren't my thing... could I be foolish?

Perhaps.

Which IPA's are you referring to? The standard IPA or the huge, hop bomb, double, triple, quadrupel IPA abominations?

 

[syd138]

I agree with the original post. I am an anti-hop-head.

I do not like the bitter taste of hops.

I don't mind an IPA once in awhile, but I am not a fan.

 

[Hegh]

I also agree, for the most part. Hops have their place, but I don't like it when they overpower everything else.

Same goes for malt, however. I've tried a few barleywines that really weren't balanced on the other end, and they were even harder to drink than overhopped brews.

I don't know if it's available anywhere other than upstate/western New York, but Saranac seems to employ a brewmaster who absolutely loves hops. Everything I've had from them is overhopped to the point that their brown ale, vanilla stout, and IPA all taste about the same to me. I'm always disappointed when I buy their beer, but I'm sure there are some hop-heads who can't get enough.

So as I get more into this addicting hobby, I'll be striving for balanced brews and not hop-monsters or barleywines.

 

[McNasty]

I love IPA's. Like Revvy said Founder's Centennial IPA, Bell's two hearted, Stone IPA. I get why people don't like IPA's, same with stouts. I'm not a big fan of ambers or brown ales personally. My girlfriend doesn't like the roasty coffee like flavors of stouts. Can't really argue about that. IPA's are her favorite though, so you know what I'm buying.

 

[thedude123]

Ya, everyone has their own likes and dislikes in beer. I love IPAs and I don't like fruit beers; just personal preference.

 

[BillyVegas]

Update- I had Sierra Nevada Pale Ale earlier today off tap. Last time I had this years ago I didnt like it at all.

Delicious beer.

 

[Hegh]

Update- I had Sierra Nevada Pale Ale earlier today off tap. Last time I had this years ago I didnt like it at all.

Delicious beer.

I've been meaning to try that one, since I hear so many good things about it, even though I don't particularly care for hoppy brews.

 

[BillyVegas]

As I said, I enjoy the smell of hops in their raw state- and historically- I disliked overly hoppy beers.

After making a brew and dealing with hops... this Sierra Nevada Pale Ale was enjoyable with its hops. It had the delicious smell of hops and it really let me taste how they should be in a "hoppy"-ier beer.

 

[david_42]

Most IPAs are badly unbalanced, but the people who like unbalanced IPAs drive that market. Most places that have an IPA and an American Pale, do a better job on the APA. Five years ago, that wasn't the case. An example, Bear Republic's Racer X. Great beer five years ago, I'd buy it by the gallon when I visited. Had one last spring and it was harsh, raw & hugely bitter. I finished the pint, but I'll never buy one again.

 

[Jared311]

Sounds like you should start a poll to get a good tally going. As for me, I am a huge IPA fan

 

[adamjab19]

I'm just getting sick of grapefruit juice beer from too much Cascades and such.

 

[farmbrewernw]

If you have the chance to try it Caldera Brewing out of Ashland Oregon cans and IPA that is in my mind one of the most solid IPAs that I have ever had, and of course if you can get Ninkasi Tryserahops IIPA you can't go wrong.

 

[BillyVegas]

I'm just getting sick of grapefruit juice beer from too much Cascades and such.

Well said.

Poll added as well.

The APAs I can get down on... but most IPAs seem like some kind of practical joke based on hops.

 

[DeathBrewer]

i'll pass. i can appreciate a good beer of any style and enjoy an IPA every now and then, but i prefer the malty beers.

 

[nowise]

A well made IPA is one of my favorite styles. DFH 60 and 90 minute are what turned me on to the style. Founders Centennial IPA on a fresh tapped draft is amazing.

That being said, hop overloads masquerading around as a good IPA can shove it. If you have ever tasted a DFH 90 minute that has been aged long enough so the hops flavor drops out, you know that there is a lot going on under there besides uber-hops.

 

[HairyDogBrewing]

I'm just getting sick of grapefruit juice beer from too much Cascades and such.

+1 I use more late additions and the English hop varieties.

 

[DeathBrewer]

why do all these people think hop bombs are good anyway? people say american IPAs are supposed to be drank fresh...wtf?

traditional IPAs were made to age over long boat rides in oak barrels. i'm sure i would enjoy THAT beer.

hrmph...i guess ill have to make one

 

[histo320]

I Love IPA's. It was the first beer i brewed. One of the best IPA's i've had is St. Terese's IPA from Highland Brewing Co. It is not overly hoppy but still good bittering flavor, with a great aroma.

 

[Warpig75]

it depends on what im in the moood for. I love hopbombs but sometimes i like to change gears and have a stout or porter... I tend to rotate styles every few weeks and it's probably because i love them all!

 

[SkinnyShamrock]

I voted for "all about IPAs." Because I love every one I try. You can keep your thick English oatmeal stouts and Baltic porters and German pilsners and dark lagers...while they're good, and I can appreciate why people like them so much, I'll take a nice, golden IPA, specifically a DFH 90 minute :rockin:

 

[uwjester]

I'm in for Lagunitas IPA. I especially like it because it doesn't seem to be the standard Centennial/Cascade/Chinook IPA. If I recall, it is mostly Willamette hops which have a lot milder profile. Don't get me wrong, I like a good Pliney/Bastard/Dogfish, but I'll really enjoy a milder Lagunitas now and then.