India Pale Ale

British and North American Ales

The Lords of the Ales: A Powerful Onslaught of Ales from the Two Towers of North America and Great Britain

India pale ales are deep gold-to-amber in color, and are usually characterized by floral hop aromas and a distinctive hop bitterness on the finish. India pale ales were originally brewed by British brewers in the 19th century, when British troops and colonizers depended upon supplies of beer shipped from England. Standard ales did not survive the journey; hence, brewers developed high gravity, highly-hopped ales that survived shipment in casks to their largest market, India. This style, probably not anywhere near as bitter as it was when destined for India, continues to be brewed in a toned-down manner in the United Kingdom and is undergoing a mini-revival at present. However, U.S. craft brewers have claimed the style as their own, and often brew them with assertive Pacific Northwestern hop varieties that give such examples a hugely aromatic hop accent.

Interpreting the 100-point Scale

Consumers can translate the point score to the following quality bands:

Point Range	Quality Band
96-100 points	Platinum
90-95 points	Gold
85-90 points	Silver
80-84 points	Bronze
Less than 80	Not Recommended

Legend

= Brewpub
ABV = Alcohol by volume
Date denotes the date on which the beer was tasted

86 India Pale Ale, Roscoe’s Hop House (NY). 6.3% ABV (2/11)
Minutely hazy copper penny color. Aromas of lemon zest, nougat and grass with a soft, dryish medium body and a tangy honeyed citrus and leafy green hop finish.

86 Royal IPA, Bastone Brewery (MI). 6.55% ABV (3/11)
Deep, slightly hazy copper color. Subdued and cooked aromas of grilled citrus and stewed okra and root veggies with a zesty, dryish medium-to-full and a touch of dried pork rinds on the astringent, piney, resinous hop finish. Could use a touch more depth and balance.

85 India Pale Ale, Nebraska Brewing Co. (NE). 6.5% ABV (3/10)
Pretty deep amber color. Aromas of roasted nuts, grilled grapefruit and faint animal hide follow through on a round, supple entry to a dryish medium body with roasted pork, corn and root vegetable notes. Finishes with salty, savory fade. Try with grilled game and stews.

85 Bad Moon Ryeizen IPA, Blue Tractor Brewery (MI). 6.33% ABV (3/11)
Brilliant golden amber color. Aromas of eggy peach soufflé, date and pumpernickel bread with a crisp, dryish medium-to-full body and a nutty, grassy astringent finish.

84 Freedom American IPA, Grumpy Troll Brewery (WI). 6.5% ABV (3/10)
Hazy golden color. Aromas of roasted root vegetables and citrus jelly on muffins follow through on a soft entry to a dryish medium body with custard and roasted corn notes. Finishes with a long, tart, roasted citrus, mineral and delicate spice fade.

84 2 Fives (and a Stolen Coat) I.P.A., Main Street Grille and Brewing Co. (OH). 6.5% ABV (2/11)
Lightly hazy, light amber color. Aromas of crusty peach custard pie and piney hops with a supple, lightly chewy, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a tangy, citrus marmalade and leafy hop snap. Very nice.

84 Hop Harvest I.P.A., Delafield Brewhaus (WI). 6.5% ABV (2/11)
Lightly hazy deep amber color. Aromas of fruity caramel syrup, wheatgrass and yeasty pancake batter have a sweet worty edge with a supple, dryish medium body and stewed veggie, watercress and mint custard pastry-accented finish. Interesting and rather earthy, try with raw vegan foods

81 Address Unknown IPA, Willimantic Brewing Co. (CT). 6.5% ABV (2/09)
Hazy oranges copper color. Muddled aromas of chocolate covered orange, caramel and soapy dishwater and musty rag follow through on a round entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with nutshell, sour cream and grapefruit pith on the very bitter cracked pepper and pine sap fade. Rather clumsy.

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