Description
India Pale ales were created by Hodgson's brewery to provide British troops stationed in India with English ale as well as to provide the shipping industry with cargo on their return trip from England to India. This beer had to be robust to withstand the long voyage, elevated heat and constant motion of the ship. At the time of its creation IPA was considered a light beer due to the primary use of pale malts and high attenuating yeasts it tended to be drier and less full bodied than the brown beers of the day. Color ranges from golden amber to light copper, but most are pale to medium amber with an orange-ish tint. Should be clear, although unfiltered dry-hopped versions may be a bit hazy. Good head stand with off-white color should persist, with assertive hop bitterness and a dry finish. English versions have less hop flavor and aroma and are darker in color than their American counterparts.