Exploring IPA Sub-Styles: From West Coast to New England

Despite first emerging in the late 18th to early 19th century, during the British colonial era. IPAs (India Pale Ales) are still one of the most popular and widely brewed beer styles across the globe today. However, not all IPAs are created equal. Over the years, several sub-styles have emerged, each with its own flavour profile, appearance, and brewing method. Two of the most well-known sub-styles are the West Coast IPA and the New England IPA (NEIPA). In this article, we’ll explore the history, brewing techniques, and flavour characteristics of these two sub-styles, along with a few others that have gained traction in the IPA family.

West Coast IPA: The Bitter Pioneer

West Coast IPAs are often considered the classic IPA style, originating in California during the 1990s. They are known for their assertive hop bitterness, which is balanced by a clean, dry finish. The use of American hop varieties like Cascade, Centennial, and Simcoe gives West Coast IPAs their signature flavours of pine, resin, and citrus.

• Appearance: West Coast IPAs are typically clear, with a golden to amber hue.
• Aroma: Expect strong pine, grapefruit, and citrus aromas, often accompanied by floral or herbal notes.
• Flavour: The bitterness takes centre stage, with a crisp, dry finish. Hops are the star, delivering resinous, piney, and grapefruit flavours. Malt presence is minimal, allowing the hops to shine.

One of the key traits of West Coast IPAs is the focus on hop bitterness. Brewers often use late hop additions and dry hopping to maximize aroma while keeping the finish crisp and refreshing. The dryness of the beer, achieved through the use of simple malts and high attenuation, ensures that the bitterness is not overwhelming.

New England IPA: The Hazy Sensation

In contrast, New England IPAs (NEIPAs) have risen to prominence over the last decade, known for their juicy, fruity flavours and distinctive hazy appearance. This sub-style originated in the northeastern U.S., with breweries like The Alchemist and Trillium leading the charge.

• Appearance: NEIPAs are hazy to the point of being opaque, with a pale yellow to deep orange colour.
• Aroma: Bursting with tropical fruit aromas like mango, pineapple, and passionfruit, thanks to the use of late-addition hops and dry hopping.
• Flavour: Juicy and smooth, with a soft mouthfeel. Bitterness is much lower than in West Coast IPAs, allowing fruity hop flavours to dominate. Expect flavours of ripe stone fruits, citrus, and melon.

The key to the NEIPA’s signature haze is a combination of brewing techniques, including the use of high-protein grains like oats and wheat, along with biotransformation during fermentation, where hops interact with yeast to produce even more fruity flavours. The result is a smooth, creamy body and an explosion of juicy hop character without the bracing bitterness of its West Coast counterpart.

Other Notable IPA Sub-Styles

While West Coast and New England IPAs are the most famous, other IPA sub-styles have emerged, each offering a unique twist on the classic IPA formula.

Double IPA (DIPA)

Double IPAs, also known as Imperial IPAs, are brewed with extra malt and hops, resulting in a higher alcohol content and more intense flavours. These beers are bold, with amplified hop bitterness and a slightly sweet, malty backbone to balance the alcohol.

• Appearance: Amber to copper, with a clear or slightly hazy appearance.
• Aroma: Intensely hoppy, with pine, resin, and tropical fruit aromas.
• Flavour: Expect a balance of hop bitterness and malt sweetness, with flavors of caramel, tropical fruits, and pine resin.

Session IPA

Session IPAs are a lower-alcohol version of the IPA, designed to be more drinkable while retaining the hop-forward flavours that IPA lovers crave. Despite their lighter body and reduced alcohol content, Session IPAs still pack a punch when it comes to hop aroma and flavour.

• Appearance: Pale yellow to light amber, usually clear.
• Aroma: Citrus, pine, and floral notes dominate.
• Flavour: Light-bodied and refreshing, with a crisp finish and a solid hop character that doesn’t overwhelm.

Milkshake IPA

Milkshake IPAs are a relatively new addition to the IPA family, incorporating lactose (milk sugar) to create a creamy, smooth mouthfeel. These beers are often brewed with fruit, adding an extra layer of sweetness and complexity to the traditional hop bitterness.

• Appearance: Opaque and hazy, with a creamy, pale orange hue.
• Aroma: Sweet and fruity, often with hints of vanilla or tropical fruits.
• Flavour: Smooth and slightly sweet, with a low bitterness. Fruit and vanilla flavours are prominent, with a rich, creamy texture.

Black IPA

Black IPA, also known as Cascadian Dark Ale (CDA), is an intriguing sub-style of the India Pale Ale (IPA) family. It combines the hop-forward characteristics of a traditional IPA with the rich, roasted malt flavours typically found in darker beer styles like porters or stouts. This hybrid style delivers a unique drinking experience that balances intense hop bitterness with malty complexity.

• Appearance: As the name suggests, Black IPAs are dark in colour, typically ranging from deep brown to pitch black. However, they should not be as opaque or thick as stouts or porters. A good Black IPA will have clarity and a tan or off-white head.
• Aroma: Black IPAs carry the familiar aromas of citrus, pine, and resin from hops, but with an additional layer of roasted malt character. Expect hints of coffee, chocolate, or even caramel on the nose, complementing the hoppy profile.
• Flavour: The flavour profile is where the Black IPA truly shines. It balances the bitterness and bright, piney or citrus flavours of hops with the roasted, sometimes slightly smoky, malt backbone. The roasted malts add complexity with notes of dark chocolate, coffee, or burnt toast, while the hop bitterness remains prominent and crisp. Despite the dark appearance, Black IPAs generally avoid the heavy sweetness or thickness of stouts and porters, maintaining a lighter, more IPA-like body and finish.

Brut IPA

The Brut IPA is a relatively new addition to the IPA family, first brewed around 2017 in San Francisco. This sub-style is notable for its extreme dryness, similar to that of a brut Champagne, which gives it a unique, light, and effervescent quality. The name “Brut” comes from the French term used to describe very dry Champagne, and much like its namesake, Brut IPAs have little to no residual sweetness.

• Appearance: Pale, straw-coloured, and often crystal-clear. Some may have a slight haze, but this is rare compared to the heavily hazy NEIPAs.
• Aroma: Light and fruity, with delicate aromas of tropical fruits, citrus, and white wine-like notes. Hop-forward without the intense dank or resinous qualities found in other IPA styles.
• Flavour: While hops are prominent, delivering fruity, floral, and citrus flavours, there is little to no malt sweetness. The dry finish makes the beer feel light and refreshing. The flavours can be reminiscent of Champagne or dry white wines, with a clean, crisp bite.

Which IPA Style Is Right for You?

With so many IPA sub-styles to choose from, the question becomes: which one is right for you? If you enjoy bold, bitter beers with a crisp finish, a West Coast IPA is likely to satisfy your palate. On the other hand, if you prefer juicy, fruity flavours with a soft, smooth mouthfeel, a New England IPA might be more your speed. For those seeking something with extra punch, a Double IPA offers intense flavours and higher alcohol content, while a Session IPA provides a lighter, more drinkable option.

The beauty of IPAs lies in their versatility and the creativity of craft brewers who continue to push the boundaries of what an IPA can be. Whether you’re a hop head or just beginning to explore the world of craft beer, there’s an IPA out there for you.

Final Thoughts

The world of IPAs is constantly evolving, with new sub-styles emerging and established ones continuing to grow in popularity. West Coast IPAs offer a sharp, bitter profile with bold pine and citrus flavours, while New England IPAs bring a juicy, tropical twist with their signature haze. Whether you prefer the crisp bite of a classic West Coast or the juicy allure of a New England, exploring these different sub-styles is a journey worth taking for any beer enthusiast. Cheers!