The History of Craft Ale: How did IPA's Gain Popularity?

IPAs gained modern popularity through the American craft beer movement of the late 20th century, which revived and re-envisioned the traditional English style. The IPA's defining feature—a bold, hoppy flavour—was a radical departure from the mass-market lagers that dominated the market and drove the explosion of craft brewing. 

The British Origins of IPA

The roots of the India Pale Ale can be traced to 18th-century Britain. 

• British brewers exported beer to India for the colonists and British troops stationed there, but the beer would often spoil during the six-month sea voyage.

• As a preservative, brewers increased both the alcohol and hop content, which also gave the beer a distinct, robust flavour.

• The beer arrived in India in excellent condition and became popular among its consumers. The 'India Pale Ale' name referenced its destination rather than its origin.

• During the 20th century, IPAs fell out of favour in Britain with the rise of lagers and refrigeration, which eliminated the need for heavy hopping as a preservative.

The American Craft Revival

In the 1970s and 1980s, the American craft beer movement rediscovered the IPA and transformed it into the style recognized today. 

• The flavour revolution: American brewers began experimenting with new, local varieties of hops, such as Cascade and Chinook. These hops delivered powerful flavours and aromas of pine, citrus, and resin, in sharp contrast to the more balanced, earthy English IPAs.

• A 'new' style: This bolder 'American IPA' became a flagship style for the burgeoning craft beer scene, defining itself against the bland mass-market lagers of the time.

• The West Coast boom: The IPA trend took hold on the West Coast, where brewers emphasised high bitterness and hop-forward profiles, then spread across the country and the world.

 The Ongoing Evolution of IPA

The style's revival in the United States led to an era of innovation and the creation of numerous substyles. 

• Double/Imperial IPA: Brewers created a stronger, even hoppier version of the American IPA, typically with an ABV over 7.5%.

• New England IPA (NEIPA): Also known as 'Hazy' or 'Juicy' IPA, this style emphasises juicy citrus and tropical fruit flavours with low bitterness and a cloudy appearance.

• Session IPA: This is a lower-alcohol version of an IPA that retains the style's signature hop flavour.

• Black IPA: A substyle that uses roasted malts to produce a darker beer with a rich, hoppy flavour and coffee or chocolate notes.

• Global influence: Today, the influence of American-style IPAs is global, with brewers worldwide creating their own versions inspired by the American take on the style.