India Pale Lagers (IPL)

Another vote for Jack's Abby. They're one of my favorite breweries out there right now and, most of the time, I have a few bottles of their offerings in my beer fridge.

 

They have. Picked some Hoponius a few weeks ago in Plattsburgh.

 

Otter Creek Citra Manta and Jack's Abby has many hoppy lagers. Probably said in every post so far.

 

Agreed... too many "beer advocates" think inventing a new name for a beer is innovation. See also: black IPA, session IPA, imperial pilsner. I'm sure the brewers understand the styles and history, but they have to play to the markets too.

 

I'd think a thread titled "India Pale Lagers" would forewarn lovers of traditional (German) lagers that we're decidedly not talking about traditional (German) lagers.

 

Folks who have agendas will not let titles dissuade them from making posts. This is BA after all!?!

Cheers!

 

It's been said before, Jack's Abby!

 

I saw that, but he was just talking about these types of beers (IPLs), not everything that they make or even some sort of meta-comment.

 

Definitely agree with this. I wish they'd 6 pack it though. I had it on draft at Deep Ellum in Allston, Ma and it was awesome.

 

Agreed. There is a different use for the word "lager" in Anglo-American and German language. While the English language simply refers to the kind of fermenting as opposed to ales, the German language refers to those styles you mentioned. Probably because round here most styles are lagers and you need a little distinction. Here in Germany, a "Lager" (for those who know about these things) is exactly that kind you named, especially European macro-lagers that call themselves Pilsners like Heineken, Carlsberg, San Miguel or many others.

 

Six-pack which? Fathom, Humulus or both? Personally, I wish both -- would be great if the Bruery did a few six-packs overall though, not just Humulus.

 

Well, that's why I brought it up in a thread about IPLs.

I was simply trying, without going into too much detail, to explain to a German (@Stahlsturm) the mentality that seeks to produce the equivalent of (D)IPAs instead of the traditional Pils when hopping up their lagers. Matter of fact -- and I have stated this in numerous threads -- I admire Jack's Abby for making it exceedingly clear that they aren't trying to do traditional lager styles, but are rather creating more or less American (D)IPAs with lager yeast.

By all accounts, they have been very successful doing so, and I hope to be able to try their beers one day -- without any pretense on my or the brewers' part that I am getting anything resembling a traditional lager.

 

I do think you would enjoy them. Here's hoping you get the opportunity soon.

You can definitely look at these beers from two directions. The first one you mentioned ("hopped up lager") isn't how I would approach describing a beer of this type- it's much more the second way ("(D)IPA with lager yeast"). That's how they come across in the glass; plus using the lager yeast is another logical step in trying to achieve what has long been a goal of these beers when top fermented (more attenuated, neutral yeast signature), so from an aroma and flavor point of view they come from that family.

There is another aspect that is perhaps too big to get into here, but as to 'why focus on the hops?'- the answer is briefly, that these types of hops were bred for such a purpose and contribute aromas and flavors that many people find desirable. When used well, they can indeed carry a beer. It's simply another part of the evolving tapestry of beer.

 

Totally agree with everything you say here -- including the explanation of why focus on the hops. Successfully showcasing those fruity, citrusy, piney hops is, IMO, U.S. craft's primary and most admirable (and widely imitated) contribution to global brewing.

 

Can't go wrong with Jack's Abby. Try Hoponius Union and if you wana go crazy with lagers try the Framminghammer series, they are imperial stout lagers. AMAZING!!

 

HOPL, I mean it has the word hop in it.

 

Firstly, I apologize to @BrianNY for some diversion.

In the July/August 2013 Zymurgy, Charlie Papazian wrote a great article entitled “The Americanization of Beer Styles”. For those of you who are AHA members I greatly encourage you to read the entire article.

The beer style of IPL is relatively new but there has been a number of American craft beer contributions over the years. A ‘sound bite’ version of the article:

• American style Pale Ale (e.g., Sierra Nevada Pale Ale)
• American style Brown Ale (Newcastle Pale Ale but brewed with American hops)
• American style Wheat Ales (beers brewed with neutral ale yeast vs. hefeweizen yeast)
• American style Pilsner (a Classic American Pilsner which is unfortunately not brewed enough)
• American-Belgo-style-ales (I would suggest Flying Dog Raging Bitch as an example)
• American-style Brett beer
• American-style sour beer (Allagash comes to mind)

The above list is not 100% complete wrt the article but I think it is worthwhile to recognize that the contributions of American craft brewers is not simply just “more hops”.

Cheers!

 

Now for my two cents.
There is no such thing as an "India Pale Lager." It's a misnomer and a class and type that does not exist. If I were still working at TTB I would lobby heavily against the use of this term to describe any malt beverage not brewed in India.
Background: India is a geographical term and any malt beverage using the term "India" in its name or class and type must be from India unless qualified with "brand" or "style." In the mid 1930s the Federal Alcohol Administration (later IRS then ATF, now TTB) after public hearings decided that India Pale Ale may refer to a particular type of malt beverage with identified characteristics which does not need to be produced in the geographical area referenced in its name; i.e., a brewer anywhere may label a product "India Pale Ale" if it conforms to the type of malt beverage known as India Pale Ale. ATF/TTB has similarly recently exempted "Scottish Ale" and "Imperial Russian Stout" from its geographic requirement labeling. India Pale Lager is not a recognized class and type of malt beverage and thus does not/should not be exempt from a geographical labeling requirement. My belief is that the craft brewing industry should develop a name that refers to/describes this type of highly hopped lager and which has no geographic reference (unless it's "American.")
Off my soapbox. Jack Abby makes great lagers.

 

"Off my soapbox. Jack Abby makes great lagers." A HUGE +1 to that!

Cheers!

 

Has the "type" or "class" or "style" of IPA always existed?