Is IPA the Most Popular Style?
Via the Beeronomist, an article from The Economist detailing the rising popularity of IPA. And then comes this claim:
But is it the most popular? Even in our massively data-driven world, we lack the numbers to tell. On the west coast, IPAs surely outnumber other styles, and many are best-sellers. But people drink a lot of light wheaty ales, too. More pointedly, the West Coast is not America and the drinkers who haunt Saraveza are not representative of all craft beer drinkers. It seems improbable that IPA won't become America's favorite craft beer (and quite possibly its favorite beer), but I do wonder if we're there yet.
Something to consider as I sit in the shade today, possibly with a hoppy American ale.
The
beer that craft brewers like making the most is IPA. Artisan beermakers
in America adopted old recipes from Britain for their IPAs but
gradually began to adapt the brews to their own tastes. The heavy use of
hops allows them to show off their skills in blending different
flavours. Some parts of America, like Britain, have an excellent climate
for growing top-quality hops. The bold flavours and high alcohol
content create a beer that has a distinct style and bold taste, yet can
come in many shades. The passion for hops in American craft beers has
taken on the characteristics of an arms race, as brewers try to outdo
each other in hoppiness. - See more at:
http://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2014/05/economist-explains-6?fsrc=scn/tw/te/bl/ee/howindiapalealeconqueredworld#sthash.8dzgWZVS.dpuf
The
beer that craft brewers like making the most is IPA. Artisan beermakers
in America adopted old recipes from Britain for their IPAs but
gradually began to adapt the brews to their own tastes. The heavy use of
hops allows them to show off their skills in blending different
flavours. Some parts of America, like Britain, have an excellent climate
for growing top-quality hops. The bold flavours and high alcohol
content create a beer that has a distinct style and bold taste, yet can
come in many shades. The passion for hops in American craft beers has
taken on the characteristics of an arms race, as brewers try to outdo
each other in hoppiness. - See more at:
http://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2014/05/economist-explains-6?fsrc=scn/tw/te/bl/ee/howindiapalealeconqueredworld#sthash.8dzgWZVS.dpuf
The beer that craft brewers like making the most is IPA. Artisan beermakers in America adopted old recipes from Britain for their IPAs but gradually began to adapt the brews to their own tastes. The heavy use of hops allows them to show off their skills in blending different flavours. Some parts of America, like Britain, have an excellent climate for growing top-quality hops. The bold flavours and high alcohol content create a beer that has a distinct style and bold taste, yet can come in many shades. The passion for hops in American craft beers has taken on the characteristics of an arms race, as brewers try to outdo each other in hoppiness.It's a careful and accurate article (no mention of Hodgson!), and even the claim about IPA's popularity is situated with the brewer, not the consumer. So no big quibbles. But the real if unspoken point is that IPAs are the most popular style in American craft brewing, one I think most even casual Oregonians would endorse. And I do, too! I'd go further and say that the modern IPA is the ur-American beer, with all the hallmarks of the American tradition (hops, caramel malt, octane).
But is it the most popular? Even in our massively data-driven world, we lack the numbers to tell. On the west coast, IPAs surely outnumber other styles, and many are best-sellers. But people drink a lot of light wheaty ales, too. More pointedly, the West Coast is not America and the drinkers who haunt Saraveza are not representative of all craft beer drinkers. It seems improbable that IPA won't become America's favorite craft beer (and quite possibly its favorite beer), but I do wonder if we're there yet.
Something to consider as I sit in the shade today, possibly with a hoppy American ale.
The
beer that craft brewers like making the most is IPA. Artisan beermakers
in America adopted old recipes from Britain for their IPAs but
gradually began to adapt the brews to their own tastes. The heavy use of
hops allows them to show off their skills in blending different
flavours. Some parts of America, like Britain, have an excellent climate
for growing top-quality hops. The bold flavours and high alcohol
content create a beer that has a distinct style and bold taste, yet can
come in many shades. The passion for hops in American craft beers has
taken on the characteristics of an arms race, as brewers try to outdo
each other in hoppiness. - See more at:
http://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2014/05/economist-explains-6?fsrc=scn/tw/te/bl/ee/howindiapalealeconqueredworld#sthash.8dzgWZVS.dpuf