IPA

Tradition: English in origin, IPAs (India Pale Ales) were popularized in the 18th century by East India Company traders because they were brewed in port cities and their flavor benefited from long journeys in ships. In recent times, American brewers experimented with and expanded the style, inspiring brewers in Belgium and the world over to brew their own versions.

Taste: Belgian IPAs combine the hoppy character of the American IPA style with the spicy notes or fruity esters of many Belgian styles. Because a Tripel is often the base, Belgian IPAs typically have a subdued hop profile and are in lighter color when compared to American IPAs. ABV ranges from 6% to 12%, and bottle conditioning leads to expressive carbonation.