Today is India Pale Ale Beer Day, celebrating the hop-forward style that helped shape craft brewing.
IPA developed from British pale ales shipped to India in the late 1700s, when extra hops and higher alcohol helped beer handle the six-month voyage. Those hops create the bitterness, aroma and citrus, pine, floral or tropical flavors that set IPAs apart from maltier beers. Unlike lagers, IPAs use ale yeast fermented at warmer temperatures.
American brewers later revived the style and introduced West Coast, hazy, session and double versions. In 2024, IPAs accounted for nearly half of craft beer sales in the U.S.
– Staff report with AI assist*, The Today 100
*As a company focused on innovative tools to build community, we embrace AI as an editorial resource to help us create relevant content. Every article is reviewed and modified by one of our editors to ensure accuracy.