Why so many IPAs, so few IPLs?

I suspect one of the reasons is ales are cheaper to produce and the end product goes out the door quicker. On the other hand IPAs have high recognition now so I wouldn't be surprised if IPLs become popular as more of them enter the market.

 

I think the extended length and difficulty of brewing, like @Squire123 said, is probably the biggest reason. But, also, in the case of many modern IPAs, brewers actually desire the complexities of ale yeasts that lager yeasts lack.
However, I personally would like to see more IPLs. I don't think anyone has tried to make a New England style IPL yet. That could become a thing.

 

Ales are easier to brew and IPAs are already well established. I think it's a shame, I love them.

 

I can't of anything here that's not SA in a Mixed box. Love Jack Abby beers, if they were here and fresh I'd be a steady buyer.

 

“If that's the case, why don't brewers who want to showcase hops in their beers brew more IPLs rater than IPAs?” Lagering is a costly proposition. You need additional tanks, lagering tanks. In addition the energy costs for lagering for a few weeks is significant.

“Wouldn't you get more of a clean, pure hoppy flavor from that style?” Yes you would but a popular yeast used to produce IPAs is the Chico ale yeast strain which produces a fairly clean flavor profile since it is a neutral yeast by ale yeast standards. I suspect that for most breweries the extra costs of lagering do not justify the ‘extra’ cleanness this lager yeast/process yields.

Cheers!

 

Part of it has to do with the number of breweries. There are more of the approximately 5000 in the US that brew ales than there are that brew lagers. Also, as already pointed out by @Squire123 it costs more to brew lagers. You've got to have lagering tanks and the beers have to sit longer before you are able to bottle and sell them (and you pretty much have to sell them at about the same prices).

 

You're right in that there are pretty few IPLs, but dang I have had some real good ones.

 

I don't know guys to me Ales have always had a sort of characteristic hop flavor to it so you get to IPAs and it is, arguably, more of a charged version of an Ale. Lagers, to me, are not as good as they are because of the hops, though it can be said to be present no doubt. You get to IPLs, a more hoppier Lager and there's almost a clash for me. No doubt, I've had IPLs that taste so delicious they cause me to awaken the next morning without any recollection of how I ended up where I am, but it still stands a classic IPA has such a great feel.

Maybe it is just a more fashionable time for IPAs and they both equal in value yet IPLs go underappreciated. But maybe IPAs, indeed have something to it which carries it to the high heavens of beer which causes it to deserve the motherlode of accolades which haft dos visited it!

 

Jack's Abby has done some stuff that's pushing into that territory, like Excess and 3X Dry Hopped Hoponius. They're not as opaque or soft-bodied as some NE IPAs, but they are still lagers after all.

 

There does seem to be a bit of a disconnect between IPAs and IPLs. I'm expecting lagers and Pils to showcase the malt with just enough hops to let you know they're there. I like the bready , yeasty cracker dry finish of a great Pils, over hop it doesn't do much but ruin it. I love subtle. On the other end I expect an ipl to be everything a Lager isn't. I love Jack Abby beers, but with their IPL I kinda approach it like I would an IPA. I wouldn't expect to take notice of the malts or yeast used. The hops would cancel them out, at least to my palate, anything subtle would be lost on me. I love them , but I don't see much practical difference between an IPA or IPL, just the technical brewing facts. Everything in its place but an IPL no matter how well done still showcases hops.

 

Out of curiosity, how would a "NE-style" IPL differ significantly from, say, Kiwi Rising? I finally got to try some fresh Kiwi Rising this year and thought it was phenomenal. Jack's Abby really knows how to brew a good lager (or many, as the case may be).

 

It seems the IPL needs a bit more hype/appeal mixed in to help it take off. I'm definitely intruiged by the possibilities above

 

Ah, see that's what I find interesting and notable about Hoponious Union, Kiwi Rising, and Jack's Abby's other hop-focused beers. Yes, they're hopped aggressively and put the hops way out in front, and from what I've heard they use malts meant to stay out of the way of the hops, but personally I think there's something special about them that results from their lagering. It's like the different sets of flavors in the beer are more easily sorted out, with hops and malt and yeast offering more easily distinguishable flavors, like a veil of fog was lifted up, off of the palate.

Or, y'know what, maybe I'm crazy. But in my experience, that's what strikes me about Jack's Abby's (D)IPLs.

 

No not crazy at all, I mentioned my unrefined palate. I might have to have a JA beer in session with a strong IPA. I might be able to pick out differences and some nuances like that. Independently I'm not so sure I could guarentee that, but it would depend on the hops. I unfortunately am in the class of BA who either likes or dislikes, but I may not be able to tell you why or why not.

 

Most hop heads are hell bent for freshness. Lagers need to, well, condition for a while. It's like when ghostbusters crossed the streams.

 

I don't know. I'm happy I can enjoy Jack Abby beer, though. It may just be in my head, but IPL's just have an extra tip of crispness to them.

 

Pretty much what I would conclude. Time/effort, money, and space.

 

I prefer lager yeast and Jack's Abby does a phenomenal job with their IPL's.

Yuengling IPL was not even drinkable when I tried it. Cloyingly sweet and not fermented long enough.

I think as Jackhorzempa mentioned, it's a cost efficiency issue for breweries because lager yeast ferments longer, and requires more energy to maintain cooler temperatures.

Lagers are also a more difficult style to brew and some of the specialty malts are more expensive.