Our 2018 National IPA Day Picks
For the second year in a row, we are celebrating National IPA Day with some history and team picks! While we cherish the opportunity to celebrate any national day with a beer, this particular day is special not only to us, but the entire craft beer industry as a whole. India Pale Ales are some of the most popular beers in the United States with numerous variations being made every day. Here are the IPAs some of our team will be drinking, which will hopefully inspire you to go out and quench your thirst! But first, a brief history lesson!
History
Tracing its history back to the late 1700s, the India Pale Ale was created to fulfill the appetites of British troops in India! Demand was high, but the warm climate of India made it practically impossible to import the darker, cold European beer to the country as it was perishable and quick to spoil. London Brewer, George Hodgson eventually figured out a solution to this dilemma and created a pale ale loaded with extra alcohol and hops to help preserve the beer as it made the journey. An Australian newspaper would eventually name this concoction and popularize the name, the India Pale Ale.
What We are Drinking
Kristina’s Pick – POG Basement IPA from Scofflaw Brewing
This fruited beer version of their original Basement IPA pours a hazy golden orange with a bubbly white head. Your taste buds will dance in delight with tropical notes of passion fruit and a nice Citra hop backbone. Mild bitterness mixed with faint sweetness and soft carbonation make this the perfect beer for summer and my personal choice for #NationalIPADay this year! Upon the first sip, I’m immediately transported to a beach in my mind and reminiscing about my old hometown of San Diego, CA. It is also worth mentioning that Scofflaw makes some really solid beers all around so you really can’t go wrong enjoying any of their IPAs to celebrate! Cheers!
William’s Pick – Combat Wombat from Rogue Ales & Spirits
This IPA is a collision of styles and flavors, bursting with intensity and personality. The fierce combination of a Northeast-style hazy IPA brewed with Australian hops and a sour ale with blood orange and grapefruit. This inspired both Combat Wombat’s name and its striking label design. Being a fan of sours, this IPA gave me the best of both worlds and is one that I will be drinking not only for #NationalIPADay but all summer long! Cheers!
Pierce’s Pick – Strawberry Murkshake from Pure Project
With so many amazing choices and new styles of IPA’s being produced every day, picking a favorite is a not an easy task. A few months ago, however, I tried an IPA that was life-changing. Pure Project’s Strawberry Murkshake is like nothing I’ve ever tasted. This New England Style triple IPA clocks in at over 10% ABV and is brewed with vanilla beans and strawberry. This IPA is so well balanced with the perfect amount of strawberry and vanilla to compliment the hops, it’s quite literally a milkshake in beer form. Oh, and be careful, the high ABV is completely undetectable. Cheers!
Karen’s Pick – Maui Express Coconut IPA from Denver Beer Co.
Denver Beer Co.’s Maui Express is not only one of my favorite IPAs, but also one of the few IPAs I can sip on continuously. Its light body makes it easy to drink, and the coconut notes aren’t overpowering. Rather, they create a balance with the hoppiness of an IPA. This easy drinking fruity IPA is the perfect summer sipper on National IPA Day. Cheers!
Karla’s Pick – Jai Alai IPA from Cigar City Brewing
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I discovered Jai Alai on a trip to Tampa, FL writing an article on breweries there. When I can find it in San Diego I stock up, which is a sure sign it’s worth its praise. This brew pours a deep golden sunset color with a nice head and good lacing. More than just a pretty face, it has an intense tropical fruit aroma and with notes of candied orange peel and clementine. The mélange of 6 different hops results in a complex hop profile. Yet this beer’s distinct citrus bitterness is well balanced with layers of sweet caramel and biscuit flavors from the malt. Cheers!
Monique’s Pick- Skinny Jeans from Waikiki Brewing Co.
Skinny Jeans is a classic example of a West Coast IPA. This is the type of IPA I was first introduced to, hoppy, bitter and piney. I enjoy the new fruity styles as well but this beer is a nod to the classic IPA. This is nostalgia in a can, not only does this beer take me back to my introduction of IPAs but it also takes me back to hanging out beach side in Hawaii. Cheers!
We hope you enjoyed our picks for #NationalIPAday! We would love to see what you guys end up drinking so be sure to tag us in your photos or use #HoplightSocial! Cheers!
You can check out our picks from last year by clicking HERE.
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