IPAs cover a spectrum of flavours with a number of sub-styles, but they mostly have three things in common: they contain more hops than pale ales; they’re more bitter than pale ales; they’re higher in alcohol than pale ales.
What makes it an IPA?
If you’ve ever been confused by the name IPA, you’re in the majority. It stands for India Pale Ale, but the style doesn’t come from India, and since there are red, brown and black varieties, they’re clearly not all pale.
IPA meant a pale ale with more hops and higher alcohol, and with more hops comes stronger flavours and more bitterness. And since they generally sit around 5.5% to 7.5% ABV, they’re not designed to drink by the 6-pack.
What should you expect?
Expect the hops to do most of the talking in an IPA. Yeast aromas and flavours are usually non-existent. And while the malts in IPAs are important for alcohol content, body (the thickness of the beer) and balance (sweetness to offset the bitterness of hops), they’re not the main star. Their job is to show off the hops.
Your first sip will most likely bring a punch of flavour. Sometimes all of those aromas you’ve been enjoying will translate into flavours you’re tasting; sometimes the taste differs from the smell, with the malts and bitterness affecting the way you perceive the hop flavours. Either way, it’s an intense experience, made all the more so by the bitterness that hits you, either right up front or sneakily at the end.
IPA
-
Flavour ProfileHopsMalt
- Smooth / Velvety
Tasting notesSuper juicy mango flavoured New England IPA balanced with a fruity hop bitterness![7th Day Hazy IPA]()
7th Day Hazy IPAView BeerHazy IPA
Sold By 7th Day
Pay as little as $42.008 pack$50.0016 pack$80.004 pack$25.00 -
Flavour ProfileHopsMalt
- Smooth / Velvety
Tasting notesEclipse is front and centre in the IPA. A new hop to the market. Eclipse is known for its beautiful citrus/madarin aroma and taste, with the subtle additions of Melba and galaxy you get that pine and passionfruit additions which balance this IPA beautifully. With the addition of aurura malt and oats it give sthis beer a beautiful golden glow and soft mouthfeel. -
Flavour ProfileHopsMalt
- Smooth / Velvety
Tasting notesThe IPA for IPA lovers and non-lovers alike. -
Flavour ProfileHopsMalt
- Smooth / Velvety
Tasting notesSmooth to drink -
Flavour ProfileHopsMalt
- Smooth / Velvety
![Fabled IPA]()
Fabled IPAView BeerIPA
Sold By Yarra Valley Big Cat Beer Co
Pay as little as $80.0016 pack$95.008 pack$62.00 -
Flavour ProfileHopsMalt
- Smooth / Velvety
Tasting notesNotes of tropical fruits and stone fruits.![Golden IPA]()
Golden IPAView BeerIPA
Sold By Frexi Brewing
Pay as little as $46.008 pack$54.0016 pack$97.004 pack$27.00 -
Flavour ProfileHopsMalt
- Smooth / Velvety
Tasting notesMango, passion fruit, blackcurrant, apricot and pineapple hop aroma making this beer super fruity combined with strong caramel malt character.![India Red Ale]()
India Red AleView BeerRed IPA
Sold By Prancing Pony Brewery
Pay as little as $120.0024 pack$141.0012 pack$77.00 -
Flavour ProfileHopsMalt
- Smooth / Velvety
Tasting notesIntoxicatingly refreshing with hints of tropical fruits and pineapple![Raymond West Modern IPA]()
Raymond West Modern IPAView BeerIPA
Sold By Shepparton Brewery
Pay as little as $40.008 pack$50.0016 pack$65.004 pack$25.00 -
Flavour ProfileHopsMalt
- Smooth / Velvety
Tasting notesComplex big bodied beer. Passionfruit character with clean hit of citrus and peach -
Flavour ProfileHopsMalt
- Smooth / Velvety
Tasting notesIt's big, bold and unshackled -
Flavour ProfileHopsMalt
- Heavy / Thick
- Smooth / Velvety
Tasting notesA very hoppy beer that tells a story. -
Flavour ProfileHopsMalt
- Smooth / Velvety
- Creamy
Tasting notesAromas of pineapple, lychee, apricot, strawberries and more, a proper fruit bowl beer.![The Zeppelin]()
The ZeppelinView BeerNew England India Pale Ale
Sold By Prancing Pony Brewery
Pay as little as $104.0024 pack$123.0012 pack$68.00
