The IPA is no doubt the darling of the craft brew world and seems to really be staking its claim to being one of the most popular styles today. However, it’s interesting to know that the IPA is definitely not the new kid on the block which we’ll talk about in a minute. So grab a pint of your favorite IPA and joins us as we learn a little history and talk about our favorites…
It seems that IPAs date back as far as in the late 1700s when pale ales were sent to British troops stationed in India. The lighter and more thirst quenching ales were perfect for the hot climate and quite popular. The pale ales added India to their name a few decades later. The early IPAs (with their ABV at 6.5%) didn’t have the kick to them that we find today.
IPAs in the US can be traced back to the Anchor Brewing’s use of the Cascade hop in their Liberty Ale, brewed first in 1975 to honor the anniversary of Paul Revere’s ride to warn us the British were coming.
East Coast vs West Coast
East Coast IPAs are balanced, often malt sweetness with citrus and fruity hop character with a nice little hop bitterness to kick you in the pants. East Coast IPAs are basically the red-headed stepchild of a British IPA, and it makes sense just based on geographical influence. When craft beer started to gain popularity in America, East Coast brewers sought after the tradition of European ales and lagers.
West Coast IPA’s are geographically closer to the hop farms in the United States, and what is one of the hops major contributions to beer? You guessed it, bitterness. West Coast India Pale Ales are more complex than its rival on the East Coast. In California, bitterness is the at the frontline for IPAs and pushes malty sweetness to the very back. The West Coast also seems to be unafraid to experiment with IPAs, take Ballast Point and their Grapefruit or Habanero Sculpin IPA. There is one exception to the West Coast bitterness and that’s in Oregon and Washington. In the Pacific Northwest, they seem to have found the perfect marriage between both coasts. However, they do bring something exciting to the table, and that’s intense and creative aromatics.
Water Street District – Henderson, NV
If you are looking to do a little wandering off the strip the next time you are in Las Vegas, head over to Water Street in Henderson and check out the craft breweries that seem to be popping up weekly! Jan recently went on an IPA crawl in the Booze District and had a blast. Links to her favorites are below the mouth-watering pics below!
Their purpose: Astronomy Aleworks is a family owned business brewing and serving beer in the famous Booze District of Henderson, NV. Astronomy Aleworks creates works of fermented art using keen scientific principles inspired by the hard-working men and women who labored to bring the stars and planets closer to our hearts, not to mention the incredible zymurgists that pioneered the finest ales known to man or spaceman.
About: Bad Beat Brewing opened in July 2014 by Nathan Hall born out of his love of poker and craft beer. Never one to shy away from a gamble, Nathan sold his house and spent every dollar in his bank account to fund his dream. A Bad Beat in the poker world means you’re the underdog and starting a craft brewery in Las Vegas is definitely against the odds.
At our taproom, you will find 4 outrageously tasty year-round offerings and 8 rotating specialties. Every month we have new beer releases in the taproom so check the events page for what’s next! You can always head over to the What’s On Tap page to see what we’re pouring right now!
You’ll also find steel tip darts, original Nintendo, Cards Against Humanity, a movie projector to watch the game, giant Jenga, and shuffleboard! Food is allowed in the taproom by having it delivered or bringing it in yourself. We do have food trucks every Thursday night and during every beer release! Cheers!
The Idea: It started many years ago in the backyard of the Lovelady house where twins Richard and Robert starting brewing beer at the tender age of 17. Their friends immediately dubbed it “Dick and Bob’s Brew” and a dream was born. Flash forward many years later… the twins were joined by older brothers Jerry and Jeffrey, as well as a life-long friend and beer collaborator, Mike Brook to form a new company dedicated to brewing the freshest, tastiest and original beers in an area that could give back to the local community.
About: The CraftHaus team is not only passionate about craft beer but also sharing it with their Las Vegas community. Co-owners and married couple, Wyndee and Dave Forrest, conjured up the big idea for CraftHaus Brewery while traveling through Europe. They noticed that they were immersed in a craft beer culture where people take their time to enjoy quality beer just as much as they enjoy talking to the people around them. Now, they want to bring that back and help build their Las Vegas community one pint at a time.
Matt’s Pick – 5
Firestone Walker Brewing Company, Union Jack (Paso Robles, Buelton, Venice, CA) -This aggressively hopped West Coast IPA showcases stunning pineapple, citrus and piney aromas along with exceptional dry hop flavors of grapefruit and tangerine – 7% ABV
Ballast Point Brewing, Sculpin IPA (San Diego, CA) – Sculpin boasts fruit aromas and flavors and at least 7 hops – 7% ABV
Karl Strauss Brewing Company, Tower 10 (San Diego, CA) – intense pine and grapefruit notes that linger through a dry finish. – 7.0% ABV
Elysian Brewing Company, Space Dust (Seattle, WA) – this out of this world IPA isn’t too hoppy and has hints of fruit – 8.2% ABV
Karl Strauss Brewing Company, Aurora Hoppyalis (San Diego, CA) – I call this IPA, Hoppylicious! Robust flavors and aromas of tropical fruit, pine, and tangerine linger through a dry, crisp finish – 7.0% ABV
The Watering Holes of Henderson…
Lovelady Brewing Company
Craft Haus Brewery
Astronomy Brewing Company
Bad Beat Brewing
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