Do we really need the term Triple IPA???

I’ve always had a minor problem with the term, ‘double ipa’. You get a brewery whose ipa is 7.5% and their ‘double’ ipa is 8%. And I’m all...

 

I like the term triple IPA When I see it I know to leave it.

 

Local brewery in my area has a 11-12% IPA they call a “Quad IPA”....pretty sure that’s a modest ABV for such a name.

Just stick with Imperial. 8% and above = Imperial (in my world).

Edit: I just realized I’m echoing @beertunes comment exactly. Cheers dude!

 

I genuinely evaluate/expect different things from a triple as opposed to a double.

WC IPA: Hop aroma, bitter flavor should dominate. Malt just for balance.
WC IIPA: Bigger hop aroma, but more balanced flavor. Malt should be noticeable, with a bitter kick.
WC IIIPA: Same aroma as a double, but full sweet flavor. Malt sweetness and noticeable alcohol heat might even combine to completely swamp out bitterness.

Just my two cents.

 

I know they say hops aren't addictive but didn't they use to say the same thing about pot? I know sometimes I'm jonesing for an IPA after I go on a lager or dark beer kick.

 

I don't see why there needs to be imperial styles of base styles if the only difference is the ABV. I understand that to get the higher ABV it takes more ingredients, which will change the flavor, but if that alone makes it a separate style, there will be an imperial version of every style. What next, Imperial Eisbock?

 

Is there some reason we need to have the ABV listed on the label AND a cute name for something that identifies it less well?

 

Calling something 'triple IPA' helps me when ordering/buying a beer because I right away think ~10%. It certainly helps me more than just seeing something labeled a pale ale, and then it ends up being 10.5% (see Permanent Funeral from 3Floyds).

I don't see a big deal if that term exists, especially if it helps differentiate.

 

If it says imperial but doesn't have the ABV, it hides the fact that it is probably 2-4x stronger than a typical beer. Could be handy for those being limited to one beer a day. It can say imperial on the label without there being an imperial style.

 

The term is fine if it's just words on the label. They can call it "high-octane super ultimate turbo octo-IPA" for all I care.

 

That's a bit different. I expect that to be in the 25-30%.

 

Probably would stay fresh longer too.

 

Yes! Yes, there's a reason. I'm sure there's a reason. Or at least I think there's probably a reason. I mean, if there wasn't a reason then it wouldn't be reasonable would it.

 

Well since I don't recall ever seeing the "III" designation anywhere I find it hard to be troubled by it.

As for Triple it has a bit of a fuzzy meaning but is a rough indicator of ABV, more malts and more hops. E.g., I know that Devil Dancer will have higher ABV than most other IPAs and so can gauge my consumption accordingly, i.e., avoid just as you do, etc.

So Triple works for me to add a bit of value just as much as does the Belgian designations of "Dubbel" and "Tripel." In addition to having different colors I expect the Belgian-style Tripel to have a higher ABV than a Belgian-style Dubbel. The lack of any precise cut off or dividing line doesn't much bother me much because the world has lots of fuzzy categories that aren't always differentiated by a sharp clear line.

 

Most IPA's north of 9.5% I've always tended to dislike, but there are always a few rare exceptions. I had an 11% IPA from the Veil called "White Bugatti" that was groundbreaking and surprisingly good. In fact because of the challenges of pulling of a hop forward beer at that ABV at such a high level I gave it a perfect score, simply because I've never seen a brewery pull it off before (make an IPA that big that is hoppy, yet not bitter nor boozy.

 

IPA = $5 for 16oz
Double IPA = $6.25 for 10oz

 

The craft beer world is full of rather useless marketing terms. Triple IPA is one of them.

 

My first thought was also that labelling a beer IIPA or IIIPA was redundant or unnecessary since the abv is already printed on the can but, if you think about it, the term IIIPA is a quick way of explaining to a consumer why he or she should be willing to pay $5.00 a can instead of $3.50.

 

An increase in ABV doesn't always have to mean an increase in price. An increase in costs of production do, however.

That said, if you're not reading the packaging of the beer that you buy, you're doing it wrong. If not for details about the beer that you're about to buy then at least for a best by or born on date to confirm freshness.