The difference between India Pale Ale (IPA) and West Coast IPA is primarily in the hops used and their respective bitterness. West Coast IPAs are hop-forward beers with a strong bitterness. They are brewed with hops that are high in alpha acids, like Cascade and Centennial.
IPAs often taste like pine, citrus and other resinous flavors due to the hops used. They are also well-known for their high alcohol content, generally above 7% ABV.
On the other hand, traditional India Pale Ales are brewed with a balance of hops and malts. Their flavor profile is generally characterized by grains, caramel, and toffee notes, as well as a moderate to low biterness.
While they may have strong hop aromas, the flavor is more mellow and balanced. They usually have an ABV of 5.5-7%, so they are generally less alcoholic than their West Coast counterparts.
To summarize, West Coast IPAs are more hop-forward and bitter, with a high ABV. On the other hand, traditional IPAs have a more balanced flavor profile and low to moderate bitterness. Regardless of which type you choose, though, both are classic and wonderfully enjoyable styles of beer.
What makes an IPA a West Coast IPA?
West Coast IPAs are a very distinct style of the India Pale Ale (IPA) family of beers. Compared to other IPAs, West Coast IPAs are much more hop-forward and bitter. This style of beer typically has a much more pronounced hop flavor and aroma, which is achieved through the use of bold and aromatic hop varieties such as citrusy Cascade, Simcoe, Centennial, Columbus, and Amarillo.
West Coast IPAs are typically higher in alcohol content than other IPAs, ranging from 5.5% to 7.5% ABV, and they tend to be very dry with a light malt body. Furthermore, West Coast IPAs often feature a dry hop process, which is a process where hops are added to the beer after it has been fermented.
This process gives West Coast IPAs an intense, fresh hop aroma and flavor. All in all, West Coast IPAs are very distinct and are a favorite among many craft beer lovers due to their bold, intense flavors.
Is Hazy IPA West or East Coast?
Hazy IPA is a fairly new beer style, so it really has no standard or definitive coast affiliation. However, in the past few years, the craft beer industry trends have been leaning toward the hazy IPA style being associated with the East Coast, as compared to its West Coast counterpart, the West Coast IPA.
This is likely due to the development of hazy IPAs by many craft breweries in the Northeast, as well as the unique flavor profile associated with these beers. The hazy IPAs are typically lower in bitterness and hop flavor, have a fuller mouthfeel, and are usually saturated with the juicy, tropical flavors associated with New England hops.
Many of the most popular hazy IPAs come from the East Coast, such as the widely acclaimed Heady Topper from The Alchemist in Vermont, and the widely popular Northeast-style IPAs, such as Tree House Brewing in Massachusetts.
Additionally, the Northeast region has become the “it” region for the hazy IPA boom.
The West Coast has also seen a growth in the hazy IPA style, but to a lesser extent. This is largely due to the West Coast-style IPAs, or “Westies,” being the longtime favorite of the West Coast craft-beer crowd.
Whereas East Coast-style IPAs are typically more balanced, with less hops and a smooth, almost creamy texture, West Coast-style IPAs are typically sharper in flavor and higher in bitterness, making it harder to replicate the same flavor profile of a hazy IPA.
Additionally, many West Coast craft breweries are hesitant to move away from the traditional West Coast-style IPAs that have been their flagship beers for as long as craft beer has been around.
Overall, the answer to your question as to whether hazy IPA is West Coast or East Coast is that there is no standard answer. Hazy IPAs are now popular across the United States, and each region’s individual craft breweries have developed their own unique spin on the classic style.
Why is it called West Coast IPA?
West Coast IPA is so named because it has its roots in the hoppy pale ales that originated in California in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Brewers on the West Coast began to experiment with adding even more hops to their beers in order to make them even more flavorful and intense, and this style eventually became known as the West Coast IPA.
The style gained in popularity and eventually spread to the rest of the United States and beyond. As a result, the name of the style is associated with the region it originated from: the West Coast of the US.
West Coast IPAs are characterized by intense hop aromas and flavors, high bitterness, and a dry finish. They generally range in color from golden to deep amber, and alcohol content is usually between 6.5% and 10%.
Is New England IPA same as East Coast IPA?
No, New England IPA (NEIPA) is a sub-style of East Coast IPA (ECIPA). ECIPA is a broader umbrella category that also includes styles such as American IPA, English IPA, and Imperial IPA. The distinguishing characteristic of NEIPA is the use of dairy-like yeast strains and the addition of select ingredients to enhance the beer’s hazy, juicy character.
This makes for a wonderfully creamy and velvety mouthfeel, a smooth bitterness, and a super balanced finish. The hops used in NEIPA also tend to have tropical and stone fruit flavors, as opposed to the floral and herbal hop aroma and bitterness of other IPA styles.
Is East Coast IPA a craft beer?
Yes, East Coast IPA is indeed a craft beer. This style of beer originated on the East Coast of the United States, specifically in New England, but is now brewed all over the world. East Coast IPAs generally have a maltier profile than the more well-known West Coast IPAs, showcasing sweetness from the malt and a moderate hop bitterness balanced perfectly with grapefruit, pine, and other hop-derived flavors.
This style of beer is generally considered to be more drinkable and approachable than a West Coast IPA due to its lower hop profile. This beer style is well suited for a variety of food pairings and also works great as an everyday drinking beer.
Are East Coast IPA hazy?
Yes, East Coast IPA is generally considered to be a style of New England-style hazy IPA. As the name implies, this style is a bit more malt-forward than its West Coast counterparts, but with a bright hop character that is typical of IPAs.
The beer is usually light to medium in body and often has a golden-orange hazy appearance. This style of IPA often has noticeable amounts of tropical fruit, citrus, and floral hops, but can also have a crisp clean finish and a light bitterness.
Many brewers add exotic ingredients like orange peel, passion fruit, or coconut to add an extra layer of flavor to their beers. East Coast IPAs often have an ABV range of 5% to 8%.
What is IPA Coast?
IPA Coast is a unique initiative led by the International Peace Alliance (IPA). It is a coalition of individuals, organizations, and governments with a common goal of building and sustaining peace on the African continent.
The goals of IPA Coast include providing support for the peaceful resolution of armed conflicts, support for governments and civil society in conflict prevention and management, increasing public awareness of peacebuilding, and promoting education and youth engagement in issue resolution.
Additionally, IPA Coast seeks to break cycles of violence and spark collaboration across borders, to build bridges and find solutions to regional tensions. IPA Coast also works to build renewable energy systems, encourage democracy and rule of law, support civil society and human rights, and stimulate sustainable economic growth.
IPA Coast focuses on a whole-of-society approach, involving all actors in their efforts to promote peace and security in the region.
What does a West Coast IPA taste like?
A West Coast IPA is typically known for being bold and hoppy, with a strong hop flavor and an intense bitterness. It generally has a higher hop aroma and flavor than most other IPA styles. A West Coast IPA can range anywhere from piney and grapefruit notes, to tropical and citrus notes, to more herbal and dank flavors.
Depending on the malt bill, a West Coast IPA can have a light body or a more medium bodied finish. In terms of bitterness, the IBUs will range from 40-100 giving it a very hop forward flavor profile.
The color of a West Coast IPA can vary between golden and amber, with some paler versions available. There can be some slight caramel and toasted malt flavors, but typically the West Coast IPA style is intentionally kept dry for a higher hop flavor.
All in all, a West Coast IPA has a bold and intense hop profile that is complimented by a balanced bitterness and a light to medium body.
What type of hops are used in West Coast IPA?
The hops used in West Coast IPAs typically have a higher alpha acid percentage compared to other hops, which contributes to the beer’s signature crisp, bitter finish and heavy hop presence. Commonly used hops in West Coast IPAs include: Cascade, Columbus, Centennial, Chinook, Simcoe, Amarillo, and Citra.
Each hop variety contributes its own array of flavors and aromas to the beer, ranging from citrus to pine, and the exact combination of hops used is usually up to the brewer’s discretion. To create more bitterness and hop flavor, most West Coast IPAs also include dry hopping (adding hops late in the brewing process after the beer has already been cooled).
Dry hopping also contributes to the beer’s incredibly bright and aromatic hop character. In addition to the hop varieties mentioned above, brewers also often incorporate newer varieties such as Galaxy, Mosaic, and Nelson Sauvin.
What hops are for IPA?
The most commonly used hops for India Pale Ale (IPA) are Cascade, Centennial, Amarillo, Citra, and Simcoe. In addition to these five popular hops, several other varieties are often used, including Mosaic, Chinook, Galaxy, and Columbus.
Each of these hops brings their own unique flavor and aroma to the IPA.
Cascade is generally considered to be the quintessential hop for IPAs, and has a strong citrus character. Centennial is known for its strong resinous pine and citrus aroma, along with its intense bitterness.
Amarillo offers a nice balance of fruity and citrus flavors, as well as a pleasant aroma. Citra has a powerful grapefruit and tropical citrus character, while Simcoe gives the beer a pleasant, pungent pine flavor.
In addition to these five main hop varieties, several other varieties are often used to create the perfect IPA. Mosaic hops are valued for their tropical fruit, citrus, berry, and pine flavors and aromas.
Chinook has a strong resinous pine aroma and citrusy flavor. Galaxy has quite a distinct aroma, with prominent notes of passion fruit and citrus. Finally, Columbus hops are often used in combination with other hops to lend a faint herbal and earthy aroma.
In conclusion, the most popular hops used for IPAs are Cascade, Centennial, Amarillo, Citra, and Simcoe, but other varieties are often used as well. Each of these hops contributes its own unique flavor and aroma to the beer, making for an incredibly complex and delicious brew.
How long should an IPA ferment?
The length of time that IPA should ferment depends on the specific type of beer being brewed and the specific yeast being used. The fermentation time for traditional English style IPAs can be anywhere from 3-4 weeks.
New England style IPAs tend to have a shorter fermentation time, usually ranging from as little as 7-10 days. Once the original gravity has reached the target, it’s important to give the beer time to condition, or mature, in a secondary fermentation vessel or in the same fermenter.
This will allow the beer to clear and off-flavors to diminish, resulting in a more balanced and enjoyable experience when drinking. Generally speaking, a good amount of condition time is at least one week, but the IPA can and should condition as long as desired, sometimes up to a couple of months.
It’s best to monitor your beer throughout the fermentation and conditioning process and to also take gravity readings periodically. That way, you can make sure your beer is fermenting properly and determine the optimal time to transfer or bottle the beer.
