Lesson 5: Battle Of The IPAs – East vs. West
In the mid 2000s, brewers became obsessed with making the most bitter and palate crushing IPAs possible. This style of American IPA, or West Coast IPA, is a hoppy beer that primarily showcases hop flavours and bitterness. The East Coast IPA was created in part to offer a softly bitter, more palatable alternative to its West Coast contemporary. Born in Vermont, the New England IPA began as a series of ongoing experiments between John Kimmich and Greg Noonan in the mid 90s. In 2003, Kimmich opened the Alchemist Pub and created Heady Topper, considered by most to be the original …