English IPA
The original India Pale Ale: a strong, hoppy but balanced English pale ale built to survive a long sea voyage.
About the English IPA style
The India Pale Ale takes its name from the strong, well-hopped pale ales that English brewers shipped to India in the 18th and 19th centuries. The extra hops and alcohol helped the beer keep during the long voyage around the Cape.
The English original is balanced and earthy rather than intensely citrusy, showcasing English hop character over a firm malt base. It is the ancestor of every modern IPA, and the style that American brewers later reinvented with New World hops.
Grain, hops and yeast
Malt and grain: English pale ale malt, drier and cleaner than a bitter, with restrained crystal malt.
Hop character: English hops such as Golding for earthy, floral, marmalade bitterness and aroma, more balanced than an American IPA.
Yeast and fermentation: An English ale yeast with mild fruity esters, attenuating well to a dryish finish.
A typical English IPA runs 5 to 7.5% alcohol by volume, with a bitterness of about 40 to 60 IBU and a colour of 6 to 14 SRM. It is traditionally served in a nonic pint. These figures describe the usual range for the style; a given example may sit a little outside them.
Serving and carbonation
Serve an English IPA cool, around 9 to 12 degrees Celsius, with a moderate carbonation that lets the earthy hop and malt come through. It holds up better with a little age than a modern hazy IPA, so it is forgiving on a slower-moving keg.
Fermentation in brief
An English ale yeast fermented in the high teens Celsius gives the gentle esters and dryish finish the style wants. Attenuate it fully so the beer is firm and hoppy rather than sweet, and let it condition to clear before serving.
Classic examples
Well-known commercial examples of the style include Meantime India Pale Ale, Worthington's White Shield and Samuel Smith's India Ale. Tasting a benchmark example is the best way to understand what a style should be before brewing your own.
| Vital statistic | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Origin | England |
| Strength (ABV) | 5 to 7.5% |
| Bitterness (IBU) | 40 to 60 |
| Colour (SRM) | 6 to 14 |
| Traditional glass | Nonic pint |
Typical published ranges. Individual examples vary.
Set up your English IPA on tap
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Sources: BJCP Beer Style Guidelines