Yesterday was IPA Day 2023 (daysoftheyear), as I suggested in my blog, and a day to celebrate India Pale Ales, and how they've been heavily influenced in recent times by craft brewers and hops from the USA. IPAs were originally brewed in England in the 18th century to be transported by boat to India, hence the name and, consequently, they had plenty of strength and were heavily hopped as a preservative, so that the beer could survive the long journey. The origin of IPA Day was 12 years ago in 2011, and the brain child of the American beer enthusiast and author Ashley Routson, who has written an excellent beer guide* and to whom I have to thank for making me also take advantage of the day over here in Britain, cheers m'dear!
To celebrate I didn't drink what I thought I would, as mentioned in my blog, as the Citra ran out the night before! Instead I had the even more impressive ale pictured above, from the same brewery (Kent), but their stronger Prohibition (4.8%). This excellent pale ale has a big fruity aroma and taste, tropical as well as the citrus/grapefruit flavours expected (although I still haven't been able to discover what hops are used), refreshing, and a great dry bitter finish. This encapsulates how IPAs have been influenced by brewers and hop growers working over the other side of the Atlantic, and creating what are often called American Pale Ales over here.👍
The purpose of the day is to gather with others and enjoy a few beers, indeed, to celebrate the variety of beers, and to celebrate those who brew, manage, and serve beer to us, not to forget the wonderful pubs and bars where we drink. As Simon Difford suggests, let's raise a glass "to Beer, a drink that brings the world together." (diffordsguide) 🍻
* Ashley Routson, The Beer Wench's Guide to Beer: An Unpretentious Guide to Craft Beer (2015), Voyager Press, Quarto Publishing Group. My Review.
