India Pale Lager (IPL). Thoughts?

I don't understand how/why some don't find IPL's crisper than IPAs, but that is certainly the case for me based on Double Agent and Hopside down.
I could see session/low ABV IPLs becoming popular.

 

I'd agree with it being more of an IPL -- and I think I could enjoy it as such.... Just not a fan of buying what I am told is an authentic German pils for $11 and getting an IPL.

 

Fathom made me a fan of IPL. A nice twist that was actually very refreshing, smooth, but still with that awesome hoppy character that we see in the IPAs.

 

Def. Jack's Abby 2nd anniversary I received one in a trade a couple months back and loved it, otherwise i've never seen any others

 

That's a spot-on review for Double Agent. You couldn't be more correct. Then again, you're one of a handful of people commenting in this thread that is an expert on what a "crisp" lager tastes like.

 

I totally disagree. Prima Pils is brewed by Bill Covaleski and Ron Barchet based upon the German Pilsners they tasted during their time in Germany while attending German brewing schools and drinking German Pilsners such as Waldhaus Pilsner and Vogel Pilsner. To put a finer point on this: Victory Pilsner is based upon Pilsners brewed in Germany. The thought that Victory Prima Pils is an IPL is just plain wrong.

Cheers!

 

Anxious to try Fathom, hopefully finds it's way to Houston soon

 

I can appreciate what you're saying, for sure. And it's a valid point—some hop heads aren't getting into lagers so much as they're getting into a novel (on its face, anyway) way to get hops. (Sidenote, do these conversations always sound like we're talking about junkies?)

I will say, though, like I mentioned earlier, I do think beers like Hoponious Union really do strongly resemble classic lager styles but with great American hop profiles—not just a beer that's only nominally a lager with a hop profile that washes out any nuance.

But, hey. Arguably, that's what separates great (D)IPAs from the rest, right? A little nuance. Some IPLs actually do have it. That's why I'm in favor of the trend: eventually we'll get a lot of good options that are legitimately great beers.

 

Loved all 5 I've had so far. MOAR PLEASE!

 

That's a good point. If I enjoy a beer I don't worry much about it being misnamed. Prima Pils was brewed long before India became a marketing term so they had to call it something.

 

Then it would be a Noble Pils.

 

Ha, yes. Hop heads certainly are junkies, I've moderated my addiction over the years, but I still love the stuff.

I understand what you're saying, but still in my opinion, that's not what's happening with these beers. If you were talking about something like Anchor California Lager, I'd agree. Anchor uses 2-row and cluster hops, but it's not an 80 IBU monster that buries the nuances you are referring to with it's hop profile. It's certainly not what I drank and loved in Munich, but it's not trying to be either. It's still a delicious lager, that retains all the qualities I love in a LAGER.

It's not an IPA masquerading as a pale lager.

 

Yeah. I've been wanting to try that beer for a while, but alas is unavailable in humble upstate NY.

My point was, neither is Hoponious Union, even if it calls itself an "IPL (Wicked Hoppy Lager)" (which is actually what the label says). And I think there are others out there like it.

 

I understood your point. I simply don't agree with it. And that's ok, we can agree to disagree. Hoponious Union is certainly not a bad beer by any stretch, especially when fresh. At the end of the day, that's what matters. Personally I'll reach for an IPA before an IPL, but each beer drinker is different.

Cheers!

 

I looked it up so I thought I would put it here. Clean refers to low esters, - fruit like apple, pear etc . . ., low phenols, - spice, clove, no diacetyl - that's buttery flavor and no DMS - cooked corn. Crisp refers to carbonation.

 

Yea I knew you would say that when I posted it, it was Just for you...besides it was a joke. We had that argument already.

I do think its too hoppy and that is my opinion. the thought of a IPA lager got me laughing is all.

 

I feel like an IPL quenched my thirst a lot better than an IPA. That lager finish is a little better for me than the bitter finish of IPAs regarding that aspect. More of a summer beer for me.

Do I think an IPL will ever surpass the best IPAs in overall taste? No. There's some, like Jack Abbey's 2nd Anniversary IPL, that are giving a good run for their money though.

 

Reference?

In regards to the clean part of your statement, that's my point. Over-hopping a beer will cover that up. Oftentimes something such as diacetyl can be subtle, and an overpowering flavor from the hops will crush it. A normally hopped lager like a classic German pils? You'll notice right away if the beer is clean or not.

In regards to the crisp part, what about the carbonation? As in, what level of carbonation is your source defining as crisp?

 

I'd rather have a good IPL than a mediocre IPA...having said that, the fruity esters of an ale seem to meld better with the copious hopping in this style. It's not a level playing field, though an interesting twist.

 

A homebrew forum. http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f39/what-does-clean-taste-mean-163893/

*edit - I would have asked Jack Horzempa but I don't like to pester him with all my questions.