Beer

West Coast IPA vs East Coast IPA vs Midwest IPA

Breaking down the differences

Photo by Josh Olalde on Unsplash

The “India Pale Ale” or “IPA” for short can be defined quite easily, it involves a beer with a boatload of hops. As the IPA came on the scene and boomed in popularity, the style transformed greatly, with each American region taking on its own interpretation. Defining each kind can be beneficial beer knowledge for choosing what appeals to you and not getting burned on a six-pack you don't like.

Courtesy of Craft Beer Joe

The West Coast American IPA really started it all in America, after it was adopted from English brewing techniques. It involves a simple grist (grain profile) to highlight the hop flavor. Most IPA’s are going to brew with 2-Row malt which provides a nice clean slate for the hops to be tasted. Other specialty malts like Caramel and Crystal malts will be added to provide some color and flavor nuance, but it’s still the hop’s show. The factor that distinguishes the West Coast IPA is a large amount of bittering hop. A lot of hops are put in for flavor later or dry-hopped, but the key distinction is that initial bitter taste. Breweries like Stone, Green Flash, and Sierra Nevada continue to make beers that…