American v English IPA

This is definitely an American IPA. Cascade is the classic American ale aroma hop. There is nothing about this beer that is at all "english" in character. English IPA really isn't much of a style, but more like a term that can apply to a wide variety of more hop-driven ales with English hops, from session bitters to strong stock ales.

 

You can find recipes online, or IPA by Steele has recipes. English malt and hops. Large bittering, 10 minute aroma, and some dry hops.

http://www.bjcp.org/2008styles/style14.php

If you want the long answer look up the historic recipes on Shutupaboutbarklayperkins.

 

Comparing the two types:

English IPAs may tend to be somewhat less bitter, more malty, with a less restrained hop character, through the use of earthy and floral English hops such as East Kent Goldings, Fuggles, or the like. The yeast may also impart some fruity character.

American IPAs tend to be hop vehicles, with a more neutral base malt, such as North American two-row, a clean, neutral, and relatively high-attenuating yeast (such as Chico/American ale), which leaves a crisp, dry finish with a lingering bitterness, and citrus, piney, floral, or resinous hop character.

Some might even divide American IPAs in West coast and East coast, the latter somewhat straddling the line between the English and American types.

 

There is only one way to know about your recipe and that is to brew it. You may love it as it is and or make changes next time. I made an IPA one time with some Victory which is similar to Biscuit. I did not like the beer but my friends did. Brew what you want that is the fun part of this hobby! Take care.

 

I can't remember the last time I saw Cascade with AAs as low as 4.5%. I only mention this because you may want to check the AA's on the actual hops you have/get, and adjust amounts accordingly.

 

Agreed. Did when I first started brewing 15 years ago but today more like 6-7% AA.

 

This for English IPA- might change a few misconceptions about Engish IPA and it's historic roots. It's the original hop bomb and still quite hoppy by todays standard.

 

jsullivan nailed it.

At the risk of overcomplicating this, I would add that beer categories are always arbitrary and almost always in a state of change. There's a lot of beers that straddle the lines between American/Imperial/English, and that line is always moving. Reading Steele's book on IPA (which highly recommended), we find that a lot of the IPAs brewed in England in the 19th century would seem like IIPAs to us now. And a lot of IPAs brewed in both England and the US in the recent past were in the 40-50 IBU range, which is where we now find a lot of the newer pale ales.