India pale ale remains the most popular craft-beer style in the United States. With unprecedented access to a diverse range of hops and plenty of inspiration in the form of innovative breweries across the country, it’s no wonder that homebrewers continue to flock to American IPA.
IPA’s popularity, however, means that those who enter competitions in the India Pale Ale category may need to do a bit more to set their examples apart. If you’re ready to take your IPA to the next level, and maybe even win an award along the way, use these tips to improve your odds of making the final round.
Understand the Style Guide
Making a great beer is as simple as brewing something that you enjoy drinking. But making an award-winning beer means brewing something that a beer judge enjoys drinking and feels meets the style parameters. Tasting is, of course, inherently subjective, but trained beer judges work hard to make the process as repeatable and objective as possible.