What Is A West Coast IPA?

So, picture the scene: it's the late 20th century, and California brewers are getting experimental. They're looking at traditional IPAs and thinking, "Hey, what if we cranked this up to 11?" Pioneers like Sierra Nevada and Stone Brewing started pushing the boundaries, adding more hops than ever before.

The result? A beer that was brighter, bolder, and more bitter than anything that came before it. It was like they took everything people loved about IPAs and amplified it. And just like that, the West Coast IPA was born.

Now, let's geek out for a minute and talk about how these bad boys are made. Brewing a West Coast IPA isn't just throwing a bunch of hops in a pot and calling it a day. There's some real craft to it:

Hops: These are the star of the show. West Coast IPAs typically use American hop varieties like Cascade, Centennial, Simcoe, or Citra. Each hop variety brings its own unique flavours and aromas to the party.

Malts: While hops are the lead singer, malts are the backup vocals that tie everything together. Brewers usually keep it simple with pale malts, providing just enough sweetness to balance out the hop bitterness.

Yeast: American ale yeast is the go-to for West Coast IPAs. It's like the quiet kid in class who does all the work without making a fuss - it ferments clean and lets the hops shine.

Brewing Techniques: Ever heard of dry hopping? It's a technique where brewers add hops after the boil or during fermentation. This amps up the hop aroma without adding more bitterness. Many West Coast IPA brewers also use hop bursting, where they add a ton of hops late in the boil for maximum flavour impact.

Water: Bet you didn't expect water to be on this list, huh? But the mineral content of the water can actually affect the perception of bitterness and mouthfeel. Some brewers adjust their water profile to really make those hop flavours pop.

Now, you might've heard about East Coast IPAs too. Also called New England IPAs or Hazy IPAs, these have become pretty popular in recent years. So what's the difference?

West Coast IPAs are like that friend who always tells it like it is - clear, crisp, and unapologetically bitter. They're all about showcasing those hop flavours in a bold, in-your-face kind of way.

East Coast IPAs, on the other hand, are like the chill, easy-going cousin. They're usually hazy or cloudy, with a softer mouthfeel. The hop flavours tend to be more about juicy, tropical fruits than bitter pine and grapefruit. They're less bitter and often have a sweeter, more rounded flavour profile.

Both styles have their fans, and honestly, they're both pretty great. But if you're all about that bold bitterness and clear, crisp finish, West Coast is where it's at.