India Pale Ale is a distinct style of
beer and is characterized as a sparkling pale ale with a slightly higher level of alcohol and hops than a typical Pale Ale; the hops lending it a distinct bitterness.
The creation of India Pale Ale during the 18th century was the result of tremendous, efforts by
British brewers to overcome a difficult problem: shipping to the
British colony of India resulted in the arrival of flat, sour
beer. Before refrigeration and pasteurization, the brewer's only weapons against spoilage were alcohol and hops. Alcohol and hops provide an unfriendly environment for microbes, preventing the growth of the bacteria that cause sourness. Therefore, high alcohol content and high hopping rates could protect
beer from the souring associated with long storage times.