ADVERTISEMENT

Subscriber Exclusive

Flavor Fever: A New Swing at an OG IPA

By applying what we know now—using a grain bill that goes easy on the crystal/caramel malts and new yeast strains that overlay fresher, brighter aromas—we can achieve an updated throwback that lets us enjoy the best of both worlds.

Randy Mosher Dec 1, 2022 - 11 min read

Flavor Fever: A New Swing at an OG IPA Primary Image

Matt Graves/mgravesphoto.com

Like living organisms, the evolution of beer styles follows a principle called “punctuated equilibrium.” This principle states that while conditions remain unchanging, there is little evolutionary change besides random drift. However, when conditions do change, entities either adapt, radiate to fit changing niches, or get pruned back as unfit. With long-dormant American beer, real changes started in the 1970s.

The explosion of artisanal beer continues today, propelled by homebrewers and those who would try to make a living out of it. However, the earliest of these beers were inspired by European ones—especially British ales. Perhaps it’s an expression of the American character to turn a glass full of inspiration into something new and different, but these beers were not painstaking facsimiles of European standards. They were re-imaginings.

Anchor Brewing cast the die in 1972 with a total remake of their historic Steam Beer—switching to all-malt, tossing in some exotic crystal malt, then balancing it with the weirdest hop they could find at the time, a new variety called Northern Brewer. This outline became the rule for most pale ales, IPAs, barleywines, and others in the family ever since. In 1975, Anchor followed up with Liberty Ale—an American IPA, and the first in modern history.

Make & Drink Better Beer

Subscribe today to access all of the premium brewing content available (including this article). With thousands of reviews, our subscribers call it "the perfect beer magazine" and "worth every penny." Your subscription is protected by a 100% money back guarantee.

ARTICLES FOR YOU