India Pale Ale, more commonly known as IPA, is one of the most popular beer styles in the world. Best known for its bold hop character, floral aroma, and slight bitterness, IPA has a story that’s rich in innovation and history. It can be traced all the way back to 18th-century Britain, taking beer lovers through the fascinating history of IPA that reflects the evolution of brewing and the growth in popularity of beer around the world. Here at 4Ts Brewery, we are passionate about sharing the history of beer as much as we are about tasting it. Keep reading to learn more about the origin of IPA to make you appreciate your next brew at your local brewery even more.
The Origins of IPA Beer
The origins of India Pale Ale date back to the late 1700s, during the height of the British Empire. As trade routes expanded to distant colonies like India, beer had to take long and often dangerous journeys across the seas. Traditional British ales did not cope well in the tropical heat, arriving spoiled and undrinkable when they reached their final destination. Brewers in Britain therefore worked to create a beer that could withstand the months-long journey without losing its flavour when it reached India and other destinations.
This challenge resulted in the invention of what would soon be known as India Pale Ale, introducing us to the history of India Pale Ale. The main innovation within this type of beer brewing process could be seen with the increase in both the alcohol content and the hop levels in the brew. Hops acted as a preservative, protecting the beer from spoilage on these long journeys across the ocean. The ale was stronger, paler, and more aromatic than standard British brews, making a beer that was created due to necessity but became incredibly popular in future years.
The Truth About Indian Pale Ale
The popular story surrounding the origins of India Pale Ale often credits George Hodgson of the Bow Brewery in East London as its only inventor. While Hodgson’s name is significant in the origins of IPA beer, the true story is even more complex. Hodgson’s brewery did dominate the early trade with India, thanks in part to his relationships with the East India Company, but he was not the only brewer experimenting at this time with various types of ales.
By the early 19th century, breweries in Burton upon Trent began producing pale ales that soon offered even higher quality and consistency. Burton upon Trent’s water, which is rich in calcium sulphate, was ideal for brewing beers. Famous brewers such as Samuel Allsopp, Bass, and Worthington refined the style and made it commercially successful.
India Pale Ale History: The Golden Age and Decline
Throughout the 19th century, the history of India Pale Ale continued to evolve. IPA became a symbol of British brewing, served both abroad and at home. As railways expanded across the country, fresh IPA became more widely available, and its popularity grew beyond the initial market. However, by the early 20th century, tastes began to shift. Darker, malt beers such as porters and stouts gained more popularity, and the cost of hops increased due to wartime shortages. The result of this change was a gradual decline in IPA production, almost disappearing entirely from British pubs and breweries in Warrington.
The Revival of IPA
The history of IPA took another turn in the second half of the 20th century, particularly in the United States. The American craft beer movement of the 1970s and 1980s rediscovered the style, embracing its hoppy intensity and the creative options on offer to breweries.
This modern reinterpretation soon travelled around the world, with breweries in the UK once again embracing this style and creating their own unique versions of IPA. British breweries have embraced the worldwide IPA popularity while reintroducing classic interpretations that pay homage to the origin story of IPA.
What makes the history of India Pale Ale so exciting is its continual evolution. From its creation to survive the long voyage to India through to its rebirth in modern craft breweries, IPA has proven to be one of the most adaptable and long-standing beer styles ever made.
Today, when you enjoy a freshly poured IPA from your favourite local brewery, remember that you are tasting history. Our team is passionate about the history of all of our favourite beers and will be more than happy to share with you stories like this when you visit us. Are you looking to try a new beer this year? Take a look through our site for more inspiration, or contact our team for our top recommendations for IPA lovers. We hope the history of IPA beer will now give you an even greater appreciation for the time and effort that goes into each sip you take the next time you are drinking your favourite beer.