What’s the difference between APA and IPA?

If you love the bitterness of beer, the aroma of your beer, and the freshness it brings, the Pale Ale family should be your best bet. Have you ever seriously thought about what the “pale” in “pale” means? Or is it different from India Pale Ale?

You might wonder if you could simply use the beer’s color to distinguish between a Pale Ale and an India Pale Ale, because Pale Ale is mostly “Pale,” and most of the double India Pale Ale, with its strong bouquet, is actually darker. But the color of the beer can only serve as a guide, and even the same beer can have different colors.

Pale Ale

As for why it’s called a Pale Ale, it’s actually because it uses a lighter roasted malt. In a typical pale ale, the malt and hops are well-balanced. Simply put, the sweetness of the malt and the bitterness of the hops are well combined. And pale ale hops, although clearly expressed, can be very smooth.

English India Pale Ale (IPA)

IPA was originally brewed with a high amount of hops, designed to ensure the beer wouldn’t spoil quickly on long journeys from England to India, because hops are such preservatives that they keep the beer fresh. IPA used to be, and still is, British-hopped (not necessarily now) and tends to reflect the aroma of earth, wood, and spices.

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American India Pale Ale (American IPA)

Today, in the UK, winemakers are still crafting traditional IPAs, while American winemakers have incorporated their own unique ideas into the IPA, and the American IPA has changed. The American IPA tends to reflect a more intense and exciting bouquet. In the balance between malt and hops, American winemakers are more keen to highlight the bouquet. The typical American IPA is characterized by aromas of resin, tropical fruits, and grapefruit.

American Double IPA

The American Double IPA, also known as the American Imperial IPA, is a unique American style that seeks to incorporate more wine and floral notes. Double IPAs are brewed in two or even three times the volume of IPAs, and more malt is added to balance the bitterness. The result is a stronger hop bouquet and a higher alcohol content due to the greater malt content.

English Pale Ale

English Pale Ale originates from the town of Burton on the River Trent, which is rich in hard water. Hard water can thin the body and make the hops more bitter. British pale ale colors can range from gold to brownish red and are often quite scorching. You can usually taste the aroma and flavor of fruit, hops, earth, butter, and malt when you taste a British pale ale. Most of the ingredients used to make a typical British pale ale come from the United Kingdom.

American Pale Ale (APA)

Originating as an English Pale Ale, APA is now popular among beer lovers worldwide, brewed with Native American or imported materials. The product exhibits a distinct regional character. Overall, APA attempts to balance malt and hops. The fatty and creamy flavors of fruit and diacetyl in APA can range from zero to medium, and hops can vary from light floral aromas to intense spicy aromas.

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