Oktoberfest-What the heck is an IPA anyway!
Are there any joyful beer drinkers in Woodinville?? The 2nd annual Oktoberfest provided by the Washington Beer Commission is right around the corner. September 12th and 13th to be exact and taking place in Seattle at the Pyramid Alehouse. For more information about 30 breweries under the same tent, click here. It did get me thinking though, there are so many beers, and after doing a taste test the other day at Redhook Brewery, I really don’t know anything about them. I am close friends with beer geeks; they know everything! I would be embarrassed to order something as plain as a Budlight. A big favorite among beer lovers is the IPA. So doing a little research, this is what I found out and wanted to share it with you….
More Than You Need to Know About IPA (India Pale Ale)
I have long been a fan of IPA. Back in the day when most people had never heard of craft beer, it was my favorite style of ale. Now, it seems that everyone loves IPA. On one level, I’m very grateful for that fact. It means my chances of finding IPA on tap at the local watering hole has greatly increased. On the other hand, I’m amazed that so many people like IPA. It is an aggressive style—much too bitter for timid beer drinkers and much too strong for amateurs.
There was a time when people thought you were a beer geek because you knew that IPA was an acronym for India Pale Ale. Nowadays, it seems that everyone knows that much. In fact, almost everyone knows that it was originally a colonial beer formulated to handle the voyage from England to India. The higher hop and alcohol content helped to preserve it for the 6 months the beer would spend at sea before reaching the lips of thirsty, homesick British colonialists.
If that’s all you know about IPA, then I suppose you deserve a smiley face on your report; however, if you want to consider yourself a real beer geek you need to know more…..Click here for the rest of the article provided by www.beerchurch.com
