English

English IPA is a pale, bitter ale in the English tradition: earthy and floral hop character with a light herbal edge, over a bready, biscuity malt base and a dry finish. The bitterness is firm but balanced, and the malt stays audible under the hops. Next to an American IPA it is the quieter one: less citrus and pine, with more noticeable malt and greater restraint. As for the famous legend, IPA was not suddenly invented from scratch to survive the voyage to India. Well-hopped pale ales already existed, and porter made the voyage just fine; the dry, heavily hopped character of pale ales made them particularly suitable for export, and the name India Pale Ale appeared later.