Why Are IPA's So Popular?

[Augusto86]

Why?

It's undeniable that with the rise in craft beers, beer blogs, the proliferation of different brews, the IPA is the flagship of many breweries, the darling of aficionados, the height of beer snobbery. It is the 10-minute guitar solo of the beer world - witness the Dogfish 120 Minute IPA.

I don't really get why. Is it snobbery? Is it "some is good, more is better" with the hops? The history? The revival on the West Coast? Does it just taste better?

It's an interesting phenomenon. I know that wine has undergone several such 'fads' or something like that.

Note - this is not a slam on IPA's. I've had some quite good ones. My personal tastes are towards heavy, dark, porter/brown ale/stout/imperial stouts, though.

 

[RJman]

Racist.

 

[gdl203]

What is this thread about?

 

[kwilkinson]

Originally Posted by gdl203

What is this thread about?

Irish Pale Ale, the beer.

 

[gdl203]

Originally Posted by kwilkinson

Irish Pale Ale, the beer.
Oh yeah ! Way too popular...

 

[kwilkinson]

Originally Posted by gdl203

Oh yeah ! Way too popular...

It's actually India pale ale. Typo in my first post.

 

[Cary Grant]

Originally Posted by kwilkinson

Irish Pale Ale, the beer.

India Pale Ale.

A beer of historic significance.

 

[Connemara]

Originally Posted by kwilkinson

It's actually India pale ale. Typo in my first post.
Idiot.

 

[j]

I get the idea that it's one of those things that people who are getting into beer beyond Keystone etc. think is so different that it must be what all the hype is about. Then they decide that more must be better. Problem is that more is not better, it is gross. There are a few IPAs that are pretty good though. Generally, I stay away, but like a very dry wine, occasionally it seems like a good choice. I hate the one-upsmanship on the hops though. Yuck.

 

[capnpyro]

IPA's are my recent preference as well. I like that they've got a nice sharp bitter taste, I find it refereshing, they generally have quite a bit of flavor. IPA's are also in general higher alc% then other types of beer, especially when you get into a double or triple IPA, watch your ass. For the record my favorite beer is a fresh poured ice cold Guinness, but an IPA will do in a pinch.

Weird that loving Guinness, I can't get into oatmeal stout's or alot of micro brew stouts, they're a bit gross to me usually.

 

[sayaret]

IPA's are often a gateway beer for someone who is just getting into craft brews. definitely not my favorite style but one that can't be ignored...

 

[gnatty8]

I just find the strong hoppiness of the IPA a much more pleasant and interesting taste than other types of beers. Goes very well with a nice, full flavored cigar.

In all honesty, I think people like the hoppiness of an IPA for the same reason others like the peatiness of certain scotches, its personal preference.

That said, I am sure there is a fad element at play here too.

 

[Ambulance Chaser]

IPA is an acquired taste, like gin, so there's some snobbery involved.

My go-to beer, if the bar serves it, is Dogfish Head 60-minute IPA.

 

[redgrail]

I love IPA's, but it's a style that isn't for everyone. Dogfish Head 120-min, if you can get it, is a hop explosion like you would not believe. Stone Ruination is another one that just laid waste to my taste-buds. I generally drink those kind of heavier hop-head favorite brews more to expand my palate than anything. If you do decide to get a serious IPA, plan to drink it last or to not drink anything else. You will not taste the complexities of another craft beer after destroying your taste buds with a Ruination. A gentler IPA can be a fine beer to drink in quantity on a hot summer day, very refreshing.

 

[spertia]

It's the hops. When I want a good beer, I always reach for an IPA, although I honestly was not aware that there was any snob factor involved.