IPA popularity

Better question is why do so many folks like AAL's?

I am gonna go out on a limb and say that IPA is the favorite of more craft beer fans, and AAL is the favorite of more beer lovers, because those folks prefer the way they taste.

 

I thought sours were the 'thing' now?

I'm starting to notice however that the massive IPA's are losing favor. At least in my favorite establishment. The latest enjoy by wasin't enjoyed by the date on the tap handle. And they get a keg every time, and it's usually gone in a few days also, we're in Florida..so that's a treat.

 

Bitter is the most sensitive of the five basic tastes and is detected by taste buds in the back of the tongue and in the throat. So in theory, we get a bigger bang in our mouths from an IPA. Or maybe not. In any case, I crave an IPA if I haven't had one in awhile. All in my head?

 

Because over the last few years brewers have perfected making that "tropical fruit" flavor in the hops truly pop in their IPAs. And people love the taste of fruit flavors.

I've been told, and experienced the exact opposite. And this is another explanation for why they're the current best-selling craft beer style. They have easy to distinguish, noticeable flavor.....and they're easy to brew well.

 

Simple beers are the hardest to brew. Big beers, and hoppy beers are easier. They'll help disguise flaws.

 

Because I buy them all

 

Because hops are addicting. They slowly make you crave more. Oh the aroma!

 

Honestly I think a part of it has to do with the wide variety of flavors within the style.

If a hefeweizen is brewed with the correct yeast, I'm probably going to like it. Regardless of where it falls on the banana-clove spectrum it's going to cure my craving for a hefeweizen. There isn't as many variables the brewer can mess with and still produce a hefe. The recipe is so simple that fermentation temperature for example has one of the largest effects on the flavor profile of hefeweizen. If they change the variety of hops it won't affect much because not many hops are used. If they up the malt too much it wont be a hefe anymore.

With IPA on the other hand the brewer can completely change the flavor profile by only changing the hop variety. (As many have proved with their single hop series'). Hops can produce such a wide variety of flavors. For example currently I have not really been liking the "earthy" flavors. There is also big differences in the amount and types of malts brewers use in their IPA's. To me beers like Sucks & Zombie Dust are almost a completely different style than beers like Furious and Celebration Ale. I need both types in my life. I need citrus, I need pine, sometimes I even need balance, I need wet hopped IPA's, I need Rye IPA's, I need single hop IPA's a need double IPA's . I need a crap load of fresh IPAs of multiple varieties and taste profiles all the time.

 

I would say it would depend on how many taps there were and what the other half were as well.

Oops. Posted before checking if there any other replies to this inane statement.

 

I dunno. The OP says he enjoys the shit out of a nice IPA but wonders why they're so popular. If you enjoy the shit out of something, I always thought you couldn't get enough. Maybe it's just me.

 

Because when people first discover craft beer, many can say that their first non-BMC brew was an IPA. It is at this moment that they realize that beer can actually have both (awesome) aroma as well as flavor.

 

Whats an IPA? Never heard of this style. Whats the top 5 IPA's?

 

IPA's are like burgers. Most everyone makes them - some better than others, most everyone enjoys them - and everyone has their preference.

 

Mmmm...IPA. I personally have a few that I cherish every time I drink them, but I'm not automatically blown away every time I drink an IPA. And all the talk about Heady Topper and Pliny and the Hop-whatevers of the beer world doesn't really affect me, like "I've gotta try ALL the IPA's!" But I do find I almost always have some IPA on hand along with another style or two. I just think it's a good style, it's an exciting style, there are some undoubtedly excellent ones out there, and by that I have a hard time believing it's just hype.

 

I'll say it as well: "oh great another IPA thread."

 

Im currently on day two of Surly's Abrasive Ale. I was wrong to imply that ALL ipa's are alike. Just what ive tried, i haven't found the best ipa. I find the double/imperial to be more extreme, therefor offering more intreague

 

I can't figure out why the hell none of my friends like IPAs. I am the only person I know that likes IPAs.

 

NO

A SNPA or Dales is a solid choice when looking for a lower alcohol but great flavored offering. Everything doesn't need to be 7% to be "legit."