Can’t pick an XPA from an IPA? Not sure what we’re talking about? Take a closer look at these beer styles and what sets them apart.
India Pale Ales are the darlings of the craft-beer world. Every moustachioed hipster from Brooklyn to Brunswick waxes lyrical about these hoppy beauties and, given half a chance, they’ll no doubt explain the origin of IPAs. It’s said that extra hops were added to barrels of beer to prolong the beer’s lifespan on the long sea journeys to places like India or Australia, but that’s not necessarily where the term ‘India Pale Ale’ comes from. All styles of beer were being exported to India from Britain during the early 18th century, but pale ale became particularly popular and, at some point, they were marketed as being made purely for export to India – hence India Pale Ale.
Origin aside, the IPAs rise to the top of the craft-beer world can be attributed to American craft breweries, particularly those on the west coast, who really brought the style back into fashion. Modern IPAs are known for being super hoppy, which gives the beers a higher level of bitterness and really floral and fruity flavours and scents. If you’ve ever heard someone say ‘there’s a lot going on’ in reference to a beer, odds are it was an IPA of some description.
To make things more confusing, there are quite a few different types of IPAs including English, West Coast and East Coast versions, each of which use different hops. A West Coast IPA tends towards citrus, for example, while an East Coast IPA generally gives off tropical fruit vibes. Then you’ve got the Double and Triple IPAs, which are essentially responses to people demanding more hops, more bitterness and higher alcohol percentages, as well as Session IPAs, which trend the opposite way and are lower in alcohol and pack a little less of a punch.
Pick up a can of XPA and fix it with a look of disdain. Now, say ‘you’re so Extra’. Don’t worry, the can won’t be offended – Extra is a compliment in this scenario. But what actually makes a pale ale so, well, Extra?
XPAs are still developing as a style so there are plenty of ideas about what a typical XPA should and could be. A good starting point is that it’s hoppier than an American pale ale without reaching the overly hoppressive IPA territory. Appealing to both those fans of big IPAs and those that prefer lighter pales, the XPA is a Goldilocks of sorts and is really carving out its own space in the Australian beer scene. The drinking public obviously agree, with Balter’s XPA taking out the #1 position in the GABS Hottest 100 Craft Beers countdown in 2017 and 2018, while it was bumped to #2 in 2019.
So then, what does the Extra actually refer to? It could be higher alcohol, more hops, extra colour – possibly all three. The goals of an XPA can be debated, but what’s not up for argument is the effect it is having on beer lovers by bringing more conservative drinkers a fruitier, more hoppy option, while offering IPA lovers something a little less serious to enjoy. It’s a win-win.
