It’s Aug. 1, so HAPPY IPA DAY. As if you needed an excuse to drink more of that delicious liquid gold.
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Founded in 2011 by craft beer enthusiasts Ashley Rouston and Ryan Ross, IPA day is a celebration of India Pale Ale, the bitter, hoppy, high-alcohol beer that is super popular in today's craft beer culture. IPA Day is celebrated at bars, breweries, and beer retailers throughout the world, albeit unofficially.
IPA dates back to 18th-century England when breweries started shipping large quantities of pale ale to the growing population of British traders and naval officers stationed in India. The idea was that adding extra hops to a pale ale would increase its alcohol content and shelf life, making it more suitable for long journeys and consumption in a hot climate. At first it was also called things like "pale ale as prepared for India" and "pale export India ale."
"IPAs have become synonymous with something very hoppy, and modern American IPAs in particular are characterized by bold hops, though historically that flavor wasn't as strong," says Megan Saxelby, the manager at New York City specialty beer shop in Grand Central Station, Beer Table Pantry. "It is an identifiable style, because 'bitter' is a super identifiable flavor profile."
To help you raise a cold pint to IPA day, Saxelby gave us a rundown on 10 of her favorite IPAs.
Flower Power IPA
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