Quote:
Originally Posted by stevej37
10 or 12 years back, when IPA's were getting to be real popular....most all of them had a very 'hoppy' taste. Many complained about that.
Now, a large portion of the IPA's are made somehow to cover that hoppiness.
Bell's Two Hearted is 7% ABV and it's called an American IPA. No hoppy taste to it all.
The Big Hearted IPA in the pic has just a hint of hops in it....it's very good tasting.
|
Consider that IPA, (India Pale Ale) was developed in England because they were sending ships around the horn, to India to supply their troops with guns, ammunition, uniforms AND BEER. Much of the beer spoiled on the long hot trip, so the English brewers added more hops, for its preservative properties. It worked, but to balance the additional bitterness, they had to add more grain, (Yeilding more alcohol and sweetness).
Since we now have refrigeration and the trip from brewery to drinker is much quicker, we no longer need more hops, but the style, IPA, endures.
Cheers