New To IPAs? Here's The One Key Distinction You Need To Know

If you're new to IPAs, you might not know that it's an acronym for India Pale Ale, a beer characterized as a more bitter version of a pale ale with a high ABV (alcohol by volume). Since its inception in the late 18th century, the IPA is a category that has expanded to include numerous styles offered by countless brands. While experts can nitpick all the nuanced notes and other high-brow stats, Rich Higgins, Master Cicerone, certified sommelier and former brewmaster thinks that there's one key distinction you need to know when it comes to IPAs.

"There are 2 main families of IPAs these days: the bitter West Coast (aka American) IPAs and the more aromatic hazy IPAs. West Coast IPAs deliver lots of bitterness (ranging from medium to high), a decent amount of hop aromas, and is generally somewhat refreshing. Hazy IPAs are generally lower in bitterness (ranging from low to medium), and bring huge amounts of hop aroma, and usually have a fuller, softer mouthfeel that makes them less refreshing."

West Coast IPAs are also distinguished by their clear, transparent liquid, while hazy IPAs live up to their name with a cloudy, opaque appearance. The bitter taste and aromas that differentiate West Coast and hazy IPAs also have to do with when the hops are added. In West Coast IPAs, the hops are added early on in the boiling process to develop those intense bitter flavors. Hazy IPAs add hops either after the brew is boiled or even after fermentation.

Hops are a defining characteristic of IPAs, and it's fascinating to explore what hops do in beer. While we may associate hops with a bitter taste, Rich Higgins says they're just as important to aroma as they are to flavor.  "Brewers can use hops for only bitterness, only aroma, or both, so even if you're not a fan of bitterness, you might still love hoppy aromas, and if so, hazy IPAs might be your jam. Hops are flowers packed with aroma, and the hops used in IPAs today can smell variously like citrus, tropical fruit, melon, lots of other fruits, as well as flowers, cannabis and herbs."

While West Coast IPAs IPA beers have a bitter flavor, the hops give off tasting notes of bitter citrus like grapefruit, pine, and resin, while the aroma contains notes of cannabis, citrus peel and flowers. Hazy IPAs have a noticeably sweeter taste with tropical fruit tasting notes and a juicy mouthfeel. If you really want to bring out the flavors and aromas of both IPA styles, you shouldn't drink IPAs straight from the fridge. Instead, let them warm up a few degrees before taking the first sip. Your tastebuds will thank you later. Once you've decided on which IPA you enjoy most, you can graduate to the next tier of exploring. We have a list of every IPA style explained, starting with hazy and West Coast IPAs and expanding to include eight more varieties.