Not everyone likes India Pale Ales (IPA’s), and that’s because they can be very overwhelmingly dominated by the strong, flowery, yet bitter taste of hops. However, for those of us who like IPA’s, we really like them!
If you are a fan of IPA’s, then I think you’ll like this one.
The Story Behind India Pale Ales
I’ve heard this story told several different ways, but the following is the story as I understand it.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, India was a big outpost for Britain. British sailors and soldiers stationed there wanted beer. It was said that brewing conditions in India were no good, so merchants from England decided to send beer to them. Back then the only way to send beer was to pack kegs in ships for the long, slow journey. Normal beers wouldn’t hold up long enough to make this long trip, and still be drinkable when it reached its destination. If this pale ale was going to make the trip it would need a preservative to hold it, and keep it good for several weeks beyond standard beers. Well, it turns out that there was already a preservative in beers, they just needed (a lot) more of it. So huge amounts of hops, and a good deal more alcohol were added to these ales. both hops and alcohol work as known as preservatives. The hops and the long sea journey changed the flavor enough that this beer needed a new name. These India Pale Ales, (AKA: India ale, pale India ale) were brewed this way, and sent to British soldiers in India, until folks in England got a taste and wanted more. Later similar brews were exported to the United States.
Glutenberg has done a remarkable thing with this India Pale Ale, they have made a legitimately good-tasting beer with no barley and no sorghum. I’m certain that other gluten-free breweries are scrambling to figure out how the heck Glutenberg pulled it off!
Look: pours a pale golden caramel color with a very thin stringy head and minimal lacing.
Smell: the first thing I smell is the undeniable order of hops, the citrusy, floral, almost Christmasy, hops are fragrant and dominant.
Body: medium-bodied with a foamy and dry feel.
Taste: Piney citrus and caramel with crisp bitterness and some earthy grains. Overall well-balanced
Served in a 16oz can
6% alcohol by volume
Ingredients: water, millet, buckwheat, corn, black rice, candi syrup, corn maltodextrin, hops, yeast
Winner of the Gold for Best Gluten Free Beer- 2016.
For more information, visit the Glutenberg website
Brewed and Canned by Brasseurs San Gluten, Montreal, Quebec, Canada