Exploring the Red IPA: A Unique Addition to the IPA Family
When considering the diverse world of beer, the IPA (India Pale Ale) stands out as a category that has continually evolved to include various sub-styles. A relatively recent entry into this category is the Red IPA. This unique beer style offers a delightful twist to the traditional IPA, blending the classic hoppy bitterness with a robust red color and flavors reminiscent of soft sweetness and toastiness. Let's dive into the world of Red IPAs and explore their characteristics and recent popularity.
Defining the Red IPA
Similar to other sub-styles, a Red IPA belongs to a broader category of ales—specifically, red ales or amber ales. What sets a Red IPA apart is the combination of a higher alcohol content and a more pronounced hoppy bitterness. IPAs typically have an alcohol content ranging from 6.5 to 8%, while a red ale usually falls between 4.5 to 6%. This higher alcohol level and increased bitterness give Red IPAs a unique flavor profile that is both distinct and satisfying.
A Brief History and Evolution of IPAs
IPAs, or India Pale Ales, originated in the 18th century in England as a way to preserve beer during long sea voyages to India. Over the years, the craft beer movement has seen IPAs take on various forms, such as rye IPAs, west coast IPAs, New England (NE)-IPAs, IPLs (India Pale Lagers), and grapefruit IPAs. The introduction of the black IPA adds to this rich tapestry but is often confused with stouts.
What is a Black IPA? Despite its name, a Black IPA is not a hopped-up stout. Instead, it’s an IPA with dark grains, such as black patent, added to give it a darker color and a slightly roasted malt flavor. This adds to the confusion but highlights the versatile nature of the IPA style. Red ales and amber ales also belong to the pale ale family, which includes ambers, milds, bitters, and IPAs. While some debate exists regarding the precise distinction between red ales and amber ales, most places use these terms interchangeably to refer to the reddish or amber color imparted by grains like crystal malts and roasted malts in small amounts.
Key Characteristics of Red IPAs
Most IPAs have a pale yellow to golden to light amber color with a moderate bitterness and a maltiness in flavor. In contrast, a Red IPA offers a more pronounced red color, somewhere between dark orange and light brown, but not reaching the darker shades of amber or even brown. Flavor-wise, they share similar qualities to regular IPAs but offer a bit more in terms of sweetness, toffee, and dark fruit notes. These subtle yet significant differences make Red IPAs a fascinating exploration for beer enthusiasts and a refreshing variation in the IPA family.
Beer Judge Certification Program
The Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) recognizes the Red IPA within its RedIPA category, further validating its place in the world of craft beer. This official recognition adds to the credibility and appeal of Red IPAs, highlighting their importance in beer competitions and among beer judges.