facebook
youtube
email
Party Tours, Festival Tours & Beer Trips
search
  • Tours
  • Thirsty Travel
    • Festivals
      • La Tomatina
      • Rio Carnival
      • Songkran
      • Festival Tours
    • German Beer Festivals
      • Oktoberfest 2023 Munich
      • Stuttgart Beer Festival 2023 and 2024
      • Starkbierfest
      • Springfest Munich
    • Party Destinations
      • Party in Reykjavik
  • FAQ’s & More
    • Our Story
    • The Thirsty Difference
    • Travel Insurance
    • Terms & Conditions
    • No Idiot Rules
  • News
  • Contact
    • Travel Agents

Blog Post

Home  /  Thirsty News  /  A Beer Drinker’s History of IPA in 500 Words or Less

A Beer Drinker’s History of IPA in 500 Words or Less

01 May 2017
0 Comment
Daniel Lummis

Chances are, if you’re an American beer drinker – and even if you’re not – you’ve had that glorious, hoppy alcoholic beverage known as India Pale Ale. Among other impressive statistics, India Pale Ale (or IPA for short) holds the distinct honor of being my absolute favorite type of beer of all time. Prestigious stuff, right?

Until three days ago, however, I had no idea where IPA was invented (hint: it’s not India) or what its intriguing backstory is. So pour yourself a cold pint and buckle up, friend, because we’re about to steamroll through 175 years of history in under 500 words.

A Beer Drinker’s History of IPA in 500 Words or Less

Contrary to its name, IPA was created in Britain, not anywhere on the Indian subcontinent. Much like the cloudiness of wheat beers, though, the rest of IPA’s history is a little murky.

The most popular version of the history of IPA – and therefore, the one I’ll tell, since dead men tell no tales – goes like this. Let’s pretend you’re a spirited British sailor who’s been stationed in India in the 18th century. As a boozehound, you’re tired of drinking dark, lukewarm porter, which is great for rainy winter days in cold climates but unfit for India’s sweaty, tropical heat.

Enter George Hodgson, a London brewer whose Bow Brewery beers were popular with East India Company traders. Hodgson’s “October ale,” a heavily hopped beer, actually survived the six-month journey to India aboard these ships… and became even tastier in the process. Think of it as aging like a fine red wine.

These early IPA prototypes wouldn’t have resembled the hop bombs we’re used to today, however. They were only slightly higher in alcohol compared to other beers brewed at the time and wouldn’t have been considered strong ales.

beer-1627456_1920

Over time, Hodgson got too big for his britches. Competitors swooped in to create replicas that evolved into weaker pale ales. Tonic water became available in 1858; paired with gin, it made a refreshing drink that warded off malaria. Perhaps the death knell was industrial refrigeration, which made it possible to brew lighter, crisper beers year round.

As a result, the IPA fell from grace; lager ultimately replaced it as the drink of choice. That is, until Americans “rediscovered” IPAs, and craft brewing, in the 1970s. San Francisco’s Anchor Brewery released “Our Special Ale” (now known as Liberty Ale) in 1975, qualifying it as the forerunner of modern American IPAs.

Being American, though, we tend to go big or go home, so we kept going. Double IPA with an ABV of over 7.5%? Sure. Triple IPA? You betcha. Quadruple IPA? Well… wait. Are these beers even IPAs anymore? Today’s India Pale Ales are becoming like Barry Bonds: hopped up on freakin’ steroids.

Whether you love contemporary IPAs or loathe them, one thing’s for certain: they’re not disappearing from the global stage any time soon. So next time you’re out having a beer, clink your glasses together in honor of those thirsty sailors. After all, you never know what will influence what’s in your beer!

Like this article? Pin it on Pinterest! ↓↓↓

History of IPA | Beer history |India Pale Ale | British culture | American Craft Beer
About the Author

Social Share

    Thirsty Adventures

    Lone Star Taste Texas Tour

    Lone Star Taste

    26 Sep 2023 - 02 Oct 2023
    Beer or Bust

    Beer or Bust

    26 Sep 2023 - 06 Oct 2023
    Oktoberfest Tours

    Oktoberfest Tours

    17 Sep 2022 - 03 Oct 2022
    Let's connect ->

    NO IDIOT RULES

    Travellers on our tours know how to party, but always in a way that respects others. If you turn into an idiot after a few drinks then you'll risk being kicked off tour.
    MORE INFO

    About Thirsty Swagman

    The World's Coolest Party Tours, Beer Trips & Festival Tours!

    Combine your love of travel and a good party and enjoy the ultimate party holiday on our incredible festival and party tours through Europe, Australia and Asia. Thirsty Swagman takes you to the best party & festival destinations and beer trips with zero boring sightseeing!

    At Thirsty Swagman we believe that relaxing with a beer (or any drink for that matter) is one of the great pleasures of life and the best way to make new friends and meet the locals.

    Our party and festival tours (we call them Thirsty Adventures) feature premium hotel / resort accommodation and zero boring sightseeing!

    Join us... if you're thirsty for adventure.

    Why Party With Us?

    If you like to party & travel, then you’ll love our adventures.

    Thirsty Swagman includes only the best available accommodation and we don't have boring itineraries that take up your free time.

    Want to party? Then choose the best! Here are 5 Reasons why.

    Copyright © All Rights Reserved, Thirsty Swagman Pty Ltd
    • Sitemap
    • Privacy
    • Terms & Conditions