India Pale Ale
Originally, there were two main types of beer: Ale and Lager. These can be thought of as two tall trees standing side by side, their branches spreading out to become hundreds of other beer varieties under their shade.
We are very familiar with Lager, as it has long been part of Thai drinking culture. Almost all Lager brands we know are found in restaurants and convenience stores. Typically, Lager has a low alcohol content, a clear, light-colored body, is refreshing, has a long shelf life, and is affordably priced. However, for today, we'll only briefly touch on Lager and move on to Ale and IPA.
Understanding Ale
Ale generally has a denser body and usually a higher alcohol content than Lager. Its color ranges from dark brown to black, all the way to golden. It features a distinctly bitter taste with a hint of sweetness and complex aromas. In fact, Ale has been part of human history for as long as wine.
Early Ales were brewed with spices, herbs, and barley malt. They gained increasing popularity in medieval Europe, especially in Northern Europe and the British Isles, which virtually became the center of Ale production in the world at that time. Ale was also favored by all social classes, as its taste was often superior to drinking potentially unclean water. Since Ale was not difficult to produce and didn't require lengthy maturation, it was mostly brewed for home consumption.
From Ale to Pale Ale: The Genesis of Amber Gold
In previous Ale production processes, the malt used was heavily roasted or dried, and the fuel came from wood, which imparted smoky flavors to the malt and resulted in dark brown Ales. However, in the early 1700s, breweries in England began using malt that was less heavily roasted, known as Pale Malt. This produced a lighter beer color, ranging from golden to amber, without the smoky notes of earlier Ales. Hence, it was named Pale Ale and steadily grew in popularity among consumers seeking lighter-colored and cleaner-ttasting beers.
The Origin of India Pale Ale (IPA): Solving the Long Voyage Challenge
So, how did India Pale Ale (IPA) come about? Was it a Pale Ale produced in India by Indians? The answer is definitely no. The story of India Pale Ale (IPA) began in the late 1700s when the British Empire played a significant role in India. British troops and colonists stationed in India for long periods longed for the taste of their familiar homeland drinks. The available beers were typically heavy, dark, and warm, which did little to improve conditions in the hot and humid climate; such beers were much more suited to London's cold weather.
Moreover, transporting beer from England to India was no easy feat. The journey was long, taking over six months at sea, and the weather conditions during transit were often volatile. Beers of that era had a low alcohol content and delicate flavors, making their shelf life too short for such long sea voyages; they often spoiled before reaching their destination.
To solve this problem, George Hodgson's Bow Brewery in England began experimenting by adding a plant called hops (the flowers of Humulus lupulus) to their beer in larger quantities than usual. They believed that hops possessed natural preservative qualities that would prevent the beer from spoiling during the journey. This beer was named Barleywine or October Ale, a reference to the barley harvest in October and the beer's design to develop its flavors during a prolonged maturation period, much like wine. The addition of a large amount of hops not only preserved the beer but also contributed to a higher alcohol content and a distinct change in flavora prominent bitterness that, surprisingly, made the beer taste refreshing. This discovery is considered the prototype of the India Pale Ale (IPA) we know today.
After six months of maturation on board the transport ship in challenging conditions, the beer finally arrived in India. The soldiers were astonished by the altered taste of the beer. The beer that arrived had an intense hop aroma, a citrusy or fruity flavor, and a relatively high alcohol content. They believed that the added hops, besides acting as a preservative, imparted a unique bitterness and aroma, creating a balanced and even more delicious flavora novel and unexpectedly pleasing taste.
India Pale Ale (IPA) was incredibly well-received, achieving such high success that Hodgson's Brewery, which produced this IPA, discontinued its shipping arrangements with the East India Company, which had long handled the transport of goods and necessities from the United Kingdom. Instead, Hodgson's began transporting its IPA to India using its own ships, demonstrating its immense popularity at the time.
The Decline and Resurgence of IPA: The Birth of Modern Craft Beer
However, due to changing tastes and preferences among beer drinkers in the early 20th century, India Pale Ale (IPA) gradually began to lose its prominence. Other beer styles gained popularity, and advancements in refrigeration technology allowed traditional Pale Ales to be preserved effectively without relying on large quantities of hops. Consequently, the heavily hopped India Pale Ale (IPA) began to decline in popularity. By the mid-20th century, India Pale Ale (IPA) had virtually disappeared from the beer scene; no one desired this long-lasting Ale anymore.
IPA made a strong comeback in the late 20th century with the Craft Beer Revolution in America. Beer enthusiasts sought out new flavors and actively worked to revive various English beer styles that had once been lost. India Pale Ale (IPA) was among the Ales brought back to life. With high-quality ingredients and modern technology, IPA once again became a widespread focal point, creating a sensation across America. India Pale Ale (IPA) grew in popularity and even traveled back across the Atlantic to its birthplace in England as a unique and intriguing beer.
During the Craft Beer Revolution, many brewers embraced this style, experimenting with different hop varieties and their own brewing techniques to create a diverse range of India Pale Ales (IPAs). Examples include West Coast IPA, known for its intense pine and citrus aromas, sharp bitterness, and clear appearance, and New England IPA (or Hazy IPA), a modern, refreshing style characterized by its cloudy appearance and the use of tropical fruit-forward hops such as Citra, Mosaic, Galaxy, Amarillo, and El Dorado, which contribute a softer aroma and flavor.
Today, India Pale Ale (IPA) production has expanded globally, captivating the palates of beer lovers with its ever-evolving complexity. It has become one of the most popular and widely consumed beer styles worldwide.
Craft breweries globally celebrate this unique style, incorporating regional influences and broadening the spectrum of flavors. In Thailand, too, many IPA brands have won international awards. Beer enthusiasts can savor a wide variety of India Pale Ales (IPAs), each offering a distinct sensory experience, creating new adventures for beer drinkers worldwide.
It can truly be said that this discovery changed the world of brewing forever because the creation of India Pale Ale (IPA) became the genesis of many modern craft beer varieties that continue to develop and innovate new flavors in the beer industry without ceasing.
