Exploring the Differences: West Coast IPA vs East Coast IPA (2024)
It’s no secret that there are significant differences between West Coast IPA and East Coast IPA. From the brewing process to taste, color, alcohol content, and calorie count – what makes each style unique? In this blog post, we’ll explore the history of both types of IPAs, their different brewing processes, ingredients used in production, famous examples from each coast, and more! By understanding these distinctions, you can better appreciate why West Coast IPA vs. East Coast IPA is such a hot topic among beer enthusiasts worldwide.
Brewing Process of West Coast IPA vsEast Coast IPA
Popular Examples of West Coast IPAs andEast Coast IPAs
Conclusion
History of West Coast IPA and East Coast IPA
The origin of West Coast IPAdates back to the late 1980s when American craft brewers began experimenting with bolder, hoppier beers. This style was created in response to the light lagers that dominated the market then and quickly gained popularity among beer drinkers looking for something new and exciting.
West Coast IPAs are characterized by intense hop bitterness, floral aroma, and firm malt backbone. They typically have a higher alcohol content than other beer styles and can range from golden amber to deep copper.
Origin of East Coast IPAis rooted in British brewing traditions. Still, it has been adapted by American craft brewers who wanted to create an even more flavorful version of this classic style. East Coast IPAs tend to be less bitter than their West Coast counterparts.
However, they still have a lot of hop flavor and notes of citrus or tropical fruit from the hops added during fermentation or dry hopping. These beers also tend to be lighter in color than traditional English IPAs and often have a slightly sweeter finish due to increased residual sugars left behind after fermentation.
West Coast IPA and East Coast IPA have been around for decades, but their brewing processes have evolved. Now let’s look at the differences in ingredients used and brewing process between West Coast and East Coast IPAs.
Key Takeaway: West Coast IPAs are characterized by intense hop bitterness, floral aroma, and firm malt backbone; East Coast IPAs feature hop characters and notes of citrus or tropical fruit flavors. Both styles offer an exciting alternative to traditional light lagers.
Brewing Process of West Coast IPA vs East Coast IPA
Ingredients Used in West Coast IPA:
West Coast IPAs are typically brewed with pale malts and hops. This style’s most common hop varieties include Cascade, Centennial, Chinook, Columbus/Tomahawk/Zeus (CTZ), Simcoe, Amarillo, Citra, and Mosaic.
These hops impart flavors of citrusy fruitiness and piney bitterness to the beer. In addition to these hops, some brewers use specialty grains such as Munich or crystal malt to add complexity and body to the beer.
Ingredients Used in East Coast IPA:
East Coast IPAs are generally brewed with a combination of pale malts and American-grown hops like Cascade or Centennial. However, they tend to be less hoppy than their West Coast counterparts because they use fewer hop varieties overall.
Some brewers may also choose English hops like Fuggles or Goldings, which have more subtle earthy notes than the strong fruity smells of West Coast IPAs. Additionally, some brewers will add specialty grains such as Vienna malt or CaraPils malt for added depth of flavor and mouthfeel.
Overall, West Coast IPAs and East Coast IPAs differ significantly in brewing. Although they are both hop-forward beer styles, the types of hops used and other ingredients, such as yeast and malts, can create vastly different flavor profiles. Let’s look at some famous regional examples to better understand these differences.
Key Takeaway: West Coast IPAs are more intensely hoppy, with fruity aromas from American-grown hops like Cascade or Centennial. East Coast IPAs are less hoppy and feature subtle earthy notes from English-style hops like Fuggles or Goldings. Both styles use pale malts and specialty grains for added complexity and body.
Popular Examples of West coast IPAs
West Coast IPAs are known for their bold hop flavor and aroma, often accompanied by a firm bitterness. Some famous examples of West Coast IPAs include Sierra Nevada’s Torpedo Extra IPA, Stone Brewing Co.’s Ruination IPA, Lagunitas’ Hop Stoopid Ale, and Deschutes Brewery’s Fresh Squeezed IPA. These beers typically have an ABV (alcohol by volume) between 6-7% and feature intense aromas of citrusy hops such as Cascade or Centennial.
Popular Examples of East coast IPAs
East Coast IPAs are characterized by their maltier taste profile with a more subtle hop presence than their West Coast counterpart. Notable examples include Dogfish Head’s 60 Minute IPA, Founders Brewing Company’s All Day IPA, Bell’s Two Hearted Ale from Michigan, and Harpoon Brewery’s UFO White from Massachusetts. These beers usually have an ABV of 4-6%, focusing on balance rather than extreme hoppiness like the West Coast style.
Both West coast and East coast IPAs offer a variety of unique flavors that appeal to different beer enthusiasts. The following section will discuss our conclusion on which IPA style is superior.
How do the hop profiles of West Coast IPAs compare to those of East Coast IPAs?
West Coast IPAs tend to have a higher hop presence than East Coast IPAs, producing more intense aromas and flavors. West Coast IPAs often feature citrusy notes such as grapefruit or orange peel. At the same time, East Coast IPAs may be characterized by floral or herbal characteristics.
Generally, the hops used in West Coast beers are more assertive and bolder than those used on the East Coast. However, there are still a lot of differences between the styles of IPA from each coast. Regarding bitterness level, West Coasts tend to range from medium-high to high IBUs (International Bitterness Units). In contrast, East Coasts generally fall into the lower end of that spectrum.
Does one style of IPA have more bitterness than the other?
One style of IPA can have more bitterness than another. The amount of bitterness in an IPA depends on the type and quantity of hops used and how long they are boiled. Some IPAs may contain additional ingredients, such as fruit or spices, that can contribute to a beer’s overall flavor profile. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and experimentation with different recipes to determine which style has more bitterness.
What are the main differences between West Coast IPAs and East Coast IPAs?
West Coast IPAs are typically hop-forward, with a firm bitterness and citrusy flavor. They have higher alcohol content and tend to be lighter in the body. East Coast IPAs generally use maltier malts that give them a sweeter caramel taste.
These beers are less bitter than West Coast IPAs. Still, they usually have an equal or more significant ABV (alcohol by volume). East Coast IPAs often feature earthy aromas such as pine and grass due to the hops used in their brewing process.
Both styles of IPAs are popular among craft beer enthusiasts. Still, they offer different flavor profiles that appeal to different palates.
The West Coast IPA and East Coast IPA are two distinct styles of India Pale Ale that have developed over the years. The West Coast style has a strong hop presence, intense bitterness, and a dry finish. It is often brewed with Cascade hops for its citrusy flavor profile. On the other hand, the East Coast style has a more balanced malt-hop ratio with less bitterness and a sweeter finish due to the use of English hops such as Fuggles or Goldings.
Overall, both styles offer unique characteristics that appeal to different beer drinkers. Whether you prefer one or the other depends on your taste preferences. Still, both styles are enjoyable in their own right.
Are you ready to explore the world of craft beer? Are you curious about the differences between West Coast and East Coast IPAs? Do you want tolearn moreabout home brewing or what subscription services are available for beer lovers? Look no further!
Also See: How Many Coors Light To Get Drunk? A Comprehensive Guide
This region includes Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, and the federal capital of Washington, D.C.. East Coast of the United States.
IPA is a bit more complex than the West Coast variant. While the West Coast styles force the hops, East Coast IPAs look for the complex flavors that come from each ingredient in the beer, particularly the malt. This isn't to say that East Coast IPAs aren't hoppy – they very well can be.
Flavor. At their cores, west coast IPAs highlight bitterness over everything where east coast IPAs strike a balance between malty sweetness and hoppy bitterness. West coast IPAs are dry and have an aggressive bitterness. An east coast IPA is sweeter on the front end, which fades into bitterness, thanks to the hops.
Whereas West Coast IPAs retain the pale color of the IPA style and hone in on resin and pine hop flavors, the New England IPA utilizes hops entirely differently to extract citrus and tropical flavors. Further, the New England IPA typically retains a signature opaque haze and sometimes a soft, billowy body.
An East Coast IPA is a type of beer that is characterized by its strong hop flavor and aroma, as well as its high alcohol content. This style of beer is typically brewed with a combination of hops that are known for their fruity and floral flavors, as well as their bitterness.
Somewhat confusingly, the BJCP's description of a New England IPA is exactly the same as its description of a Hazy IPA, but with the addition that brewing a NEIPA tends to put an “emphasis on late hopping, especially dry hopping, with hops with tropical fruit qualities lends the specific 'juicy' character for which ...
IPAs have a wider spectrum, with colors ranging from gold to dark, clarity ranging from clear to hazy and flavor that can be fruity, spicy or roasty. There are Black IPAs with a dark color and a creamy mouthfeel, Rye IPAs with an amber color and a dry mouthfeel and Red IPAs with a red-brown color and smooth mouthfeel.
A West Coast IPA is the biggest, fruitiest, piniest, citrusy.. er..est type of IPA. It's a beer that bowls you over with a volcano of grapefruit, lemon, and pine. It's all about hops, hops and hops, with the malt having a say in a grainy, sweet contrast to all this fruit.
If there were ever a great battle within craft beer, it'd be between the West Coast IPA and the much newer, much more popular New England-style or “hazy IPA.” Both styles of IPA are delicious, but currently the hazy is by far the more favored.
West Coast–style IPAs are known for having a subtle, dry malt character. This allows the star of the show—hops & bitterness—to take center stage. Low mash temperatures are used to achieve a dry malt character (more on this in Tip 5), but if just using base malt, this can leave the body too thin and the beer unbalanced.
While craft brewers are innovating every day, the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) trade body currently identifies nine distinct types of India Pale Ale.
The appearance of a West Coast IPA closely matches the American IPA style - colour ranging from medium gold to light reddish-amber. Ideally it should have high clarity, though heavily dry-hopped and unfiltered versions may be a little hazy. Medium sized white to off-white head with good persistence.
But what is the different between a regular IPA and a hazy IPA? Hazy IPAs are produced by adding a secondary fermentation process to the brewing of regular IPA beers. This results in a beer that is cloudy, which imparts a stronger topical fruit flavor and aroma.
A Hazy IPA, like the name implies, has a cloudy appearance, one you can't see through like you might with other beer styles (think a light-bodied pilsner or even our Pale Ale). But a Hazy IPA is far more than looks. Its foggy appearance hints at a fullness of flavor, which it delivers.
A Juicy IPA is all about the hops! Look to use more fruit-forward hops like Citra, Mosaic, Galaxy, Amarillo and El Dorado. Be sure to add them later in the boil and at whirlpool to maintain the aroma. Then dry hop with copious amounts like 4 to 6 oz per 5 gallons.
The quest for more of the India pale ale flavor has led them to the imperial India pale ale, a stronger version of the American IPA, which boasts even more hoppy flavor, aroma and bitterness. Imperial India pale ale is darker in color than the American IPA, substantially more bitter, and high in alcohol by volume.
Indian Pale Ale (IPA) and other malted barley-rich beers are the best sources of silicon. Silicon does not only help in the bone buildup but also helps in maintaining the health of your bones. Another mineral found in beer is orthosilicic acid. This mineral makes it easier for the body to metabolize.
Style. West coast IPAs are unforgivingly hoppy and bitter, some attributing this style to being an acquired taste. Hops are added after the boil when the beer is still hot, which is where the bitter flavors come in.
While all of those beers are in fact brewed on the West Coast, a brewery does not have to be located in Washington, Oregon, or California in order to produce a West Coast-style IPA . The popularity of this flavor profile means there is probably a West Coast IPA being cooked up at a brewery near you.
The West Coast IPA. Invented in California, seemingly by about 5 brewers at the same time, the West Coast IPA takes it's inspiration from British IPAs and American hops. It's use of big American “C” hops – cascade, citra, chinook - give it a huge citrus aroma, verging on pine and slightly dank, weed-like smells too.
This is a true “West-Coast” style double IPA using huge amounts of hops, both in the kettle for flavor, and afterwards in the torpedo to impart a massive hop aroma.
A New England IPA is a style of American IPA that features an intense, tropical fruit centric, hop aroma and flavour. It's heavily dry hopped to the point of being hazy and has a fuller body, smoother flavour, and less perceived bitterness than typical IPAs.
Part of the appeal of Pliny the Elder is its scarcity. It's one of those beers, like The Alchemist's Heady Topper, that has beer lovers from far and wide lining up for just a taste of some highly exclusive suds.
The polar opposite of a juicy, hazy NEIPA, a brut IPA is effervescent as hell and finishes dry, similar to the varietals given the “brut” designation by winemakers. They are heavily hopped, but don't share the bitterness of a West Coast-style hop bomb.
Use at least a 1:1 bittering units:gravity units (BU:GU) ratio. So make your IBUs equal to or exceeding your original gravity (for example, you should target 60 IBUs or more on a 1.060 beer). Denny likes bittering hops that slap you in the face with a bracing bitterness, so Chinook is often his choice.
IPA beer shelf life can extend to as much as 12 months, but generally, the beer will begin to decrease in quality after the first 120 or so days. The shelf life for wheat beers and brown ales mirrors that of IPAs, and are best to drink within four months of packaging.
The brewers don't use fruit or juice to generate these intense flavors. Citrus, mango, orange, and passionfruit are popular flavors. Hazy IPAs are desirable because they have a thick, pleasant mouthfeel (the density and the added solids) and a decreased perceived bitterness.
The Triple IPA is a hoppier and richer beer with an ABV of over 10%. The TIPA is not a well-defined style of beer as of now but its popularity seems to be increasing day by day.
IPA sits within the wider pale ale category but it is made with more hops, to give it a stronger flavour. Whilst there is no standardised threshold at which a pale ale becomes classed as an IPA, IPAs typically have a higher ABV than other craft beers (averaging about 6%) and a higher concentration of hops.
OVERVIEW. Colorado- Hazy/New England Style IPA- 5.7% ABV. Blue Moon Haze is a hazy juicy pale ale brewed with dried whole oranges, creating a delicious juicy flavor and bright color.
With its warm fermentation process and the extra hops in each drink, you can expect most IPAs to be about one to two times stronger than most macro-brewed drinks.
West Coast refers to an architectural style that seeks to incorporate the natural environment into the building design. West Coast style homes typically feature spectacular views of the surrounding forest and mountains, or the expansive ocean.
Are West Coast IPAs Fruity? West Coast IPAs have fruity notes and aromas, however, it's not as prominent compared to, say, East Coast IPAs. Remember: West Coast IPAs highlight bitterness overall. Most of the other citrus, tropical, or fruity notes you might taste take the backseat in a West Coast IPA.
A double IPA is an IPA that features extra hops and malt. The added layering of hops promotes more bitterness, while the extra malt provides a more distinct toasted or caramel malt flavor. When more malt is added, the yeast has more sugar to convert to alcohol, so you end up with a stronger brew.
This style of IPA utilizes an eye-popping amount of hops in order to achieve the fresh citrus aromas and flavors as well as, to some extent, the beer's trademark haze. So, growing and cultivating hops is costly and takes years of planning to execute.
What it basically comes down to is that pale ales tend to have more body to them with a medium intensity, while IPAs have a drier mouthfeel and a stronger aftertaste. Generally, pale ale is the beer of choice for Europeans and Americans, while IPAs remain the preference of consumers in India.
We don't put ice in beer because beer is water. It is, for all intents and purposes, lightly flavored, alcoholic water. If you add ice, it almost immediately kills the flavor, texture, and aroma of the beer. It waters the beer down so much, and so quickly, that it destroys the entire experience.
The preferred serving temperature for IPAs is around 50 degrees Fahrenheit, much warmer than what is poured straight from a draft system or directly out of your refrigerator. Allow the beer to warm and sip it as it does.
A New England IPA is a style of American IPA that features an intense, tropical fruit centric, hop aroma and flavour. It's heavily dry hopped to the point of being hazy and has a fuller body, smoother flavour, and less perceived bitterness than typical IPAs.
Let's get this first question out of the way – IPA stands for Indian Pale Ale or India Pale Ale. During British colonial times, sailors were looking for a beer recipe that would be easy to preserve on the long trips from Britain to India.
The short answer is that IPAs are hop-and-alcohol-heavy pale ales, originally created to last lengthy shipping times, while APAs have a balance of malts and hops, with a lighter character and citrusy punch to them.
These modern West Coast IPAs, exemplified by Gen 1 from our Propagator brewhouse, may be unfiltered and have varying levels of haze, but they maintain a firm balancing bitterness and refreshing dryness in the finish that set them apart from the hazy style, even if they have similar hop aroma and flavor.
Traditional IPA usually adds these hops during the boil, which is what allows the more bitter flavor to come through. On the other hand, hazy IPAs add the hops at the end of the boil, afterward, or during fermentation (if the hops are added during fermentation, it's known as dry-hopping).
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