What’s an American India Pale Ale?

The American India pale ale (IPA), a variation of the British India pale ale, is a relatively new brew that originated in the 1970s when American craft brewers attempted to put their unique spin on an older style. The brewers took advantage of the wide variety of hop styles available in the United States, adding citrusy and/or fruity notes to the original British IPA.

The American IPA typically has an alcohol content of around 5 to 8 percent ABV and distinct fruity and earthy aromas that come from American hops. It has a golden to reddish color and closely follows the description of a British IPA, simply with American ingredients that create a sharper and more powerful flare. The American IPA goes extremely well with spicier foods such as buffalo chicken, Mexican foods, and anything else with a bit of a kick to it.