Don’t call it a comeback – more like an upgrade..

Relatively new to the craft beer world, the IPL (India Pale Lager) is starting to make waves. The beer brings together the best of both IPA and lager to create a tasty brew perfect for the Sydney heat. There’s no negotiation on strength, with most IPL beers coming in above the 6% mark.

Craft beer drinkers’ love for IPA is still strong, in fact, this year’s GABS Hottest 100 showed four out of the top 10 beers in Australia were IPA’s – the rest were pale ales. Now that IPA is officially a huge crowd-pleaser is it time to move away from the traditional India Pale Ale and reach for something new? Or take the results as proof that the IPA is king?

Moving ﻿away from the politics of the IPA, the ale and the lager are traditionally brewed in a completely different fashion. Lager goes through a slower, cold fermentation process with yeasts that make a mellow beer with a clean finish. The lager is then hopped with noble hops to add a dry spice to it. In contrast the fast, warm fermentation process of an ale produces a funky, fruity brew that can withstand hops with a more aggressive flavour and aroma. This mix of Old World and modern New World brewing creates a crisp, hop-forward IPL that adds a fresh new twist to the IPA style.

The IPL hasn’t always been accepted as a beer style, with Ratebeer choosing to put the India Pale Lager under the Strong Lager/Imperial Pilsner bracket for a long time. However, as brewing becomes more experimental, beers are becoming harder to define and hybrid brews are creating new sub-categories all the time. The growing trend in the production of IPL beer might be giving the big breweries cause for celebration, however, the India Pale Lager signifies the ingenuity of brewers in the craft beer industry rather than the return of the lager.

Check out some Australian IPL beers available in Sydney below and see what you think of this craft beer hybrid.

Wayward FUSHAMI Victory IPL

6% ABV

This delicious IPL is accentuated by its mix of US and Australian hops. The name Victory refers to Wayward’s successful battle to maintain their name in the face of brewing giant SAB Miller (India), so make a toast to the little guy with this number!

4PInes Grapefruit IPL

6.3% ABV

This IPL packed with ruby red grapefruit is part of the 4Pines Keller Door series. The clean malt profile matched with zesty, citrus hops make for a refreshing beer that packs a punch.

Malt Shovel Brewers La La Lager

6.5% ABV

The second in James Squire’s Malt Shovel Brewers experimental series, La La Lager is a great, accessible take on the IPL style. A little more full bodied than you would expect, this hop-driven IPL borders into ale territory but is saved by its crisp finish.

Beerfarm IPL

5.2% ABV

The lightest in the list Beerfarm’s IPL has a pilsner-style malt profile, giving it a cleaner taste and paler appearance. The addition of American hops adds sparkling fruity notes that end with a dry, bitter finish. Its lower ABV and light body make it a great after-work-drink choice.

Edge Hopped-Up On Goofballs IPL

7.1% ABV

Taking liberties with acronyms, Edge’s Hopped-Up on Goofballs Imperial Pale Lager is a treat for hopheads. Pine and citrus notes make this boozy Melbourne brew an interesting try.

Got a thirst for an IPL? Check out your local craft beer brewery and see if there’s an IPL closer than you think!