In this video, we explore the diverse world of craft beer, diving into the intricacies of ales, IPAs, and brewing techniques like dry hopping. Whether you're a beer enthusiast or new to craft brews, this guide breaks down essential topics, providing insights into popular styles and flavours.

Exploring Ales and Scottish Strong Ale

The video starts with a tasting of a Scottish Strong Ale, a malt-forward beer known for its robust flavours. Scottish ales focus on rich malt profiles, featuring notes of fig, raisin, and biscuit, thanks to specialty malts like crystal malt. Unlike hoppy beers, these ales emphasise sweetness and subtle savoury tones, offering a unique experience for those who appreciate malt-heavy brews.

The Origins of IPAs and the Role of Hops

We then transition into the history and evolution of India Pale Ales (IPAs). IPAs originated in Britain during the era of the East India Company, when beer was dry-hopped to preserve it for long sea voyages to India. The dry hopping technique not only kept the beer fresh but also gave it its signature bitter flavour, as the hops acted as a preservative and flavour enhancer. This beer style has since evolved, leading to regional variants like West Coast and New England IPAs.

West Coast IPAs: Bold, Bitter, and Dry Hopped

West Coast IPAs are known for their aggressive bitterness, often achieved through multiple rounds of dry hopping. This style frequently features crystal malts, which balance the bitterness with sweetness, creating a fuller body. In this video, we sample a new wave West Coast IPA with bold passion fruit, peach, and lychee flavours, complemented by a lingering bitterness that defines the style. These beers often reach alcohol levels of 7-9%, yet their complex hop profiles make them deceptively smooth.

What is Dry Hopping?

One of the most popular brewing techniques discussed in this video is dry hopping, where hops are added after the boil to intensify the beer's aroma and flavour without increasing bitterness. This method is key in crafting modern IPAs, as it allows brewers to experiment with new hop varieties, pushing the boundaries of flavours such as mango, citrus, and tropical fruits.

Craft Beer Innovation: New Varieties and Trends

As the video concludes, we discuss the innovation in the craft beer world, particularly with hops. Brewers are constantly experimenting with new varieties of hops to create distinctive flavours in their IPAs. Single malt and single hop (SMASH) IPAs offer a clear representation of specific hop characteristics, making them an exciting way to experience the latest trends in craft beer.

For a deeper understanding of craft beer and to discover some unique brews, watch the full video and explore the world of ales, IPAs, and brewing techniques!

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