India Pale Ale is a style of beer that was not invented, but rather evolved due to the demand abroad in India and the eventual popularity back in England, many years later.
During the late 18th century, George Hodgson of the Bow Brewery was one of the first brewers to export beer to the East India Trading Company. Shipping beer from England to India took close to five months, so standard ale would not survive the journey. [18]
To overcome this challenge, Hodgson, aware of the antiseptic properties of hops, added more hops to the export pale ale so that they would last the trip. The resulting ale had high alcohol content, low levels of residual sugars, and strong hop bitterness. [18]
In 1822, Samuel Allson of Burton Brewers recreated Hodgson's hoppy brew and became known for perfecting the India Ale. In roughly 1840, domestic popular demand grew in England for the export-style pale ale, which soon became known as India Pale Ale. [18]
During the late 18th century, George Hodgson of the Bow Brewery was one of the first brewers to export beer to the East India Trading Company. Shipping beer from England to India took close to five months, so standard ale would not survive the journey. [18]
To overcome this challenge, Hodgson, aware of the antiseptic properties of hops, added more hops to the export pale ale so that they would last the trip. The resulting ale had high alcohol content, low levels of residual sugars, and strong hop bitterness. [18]
In 1822, Samuel Allson of Burton Brewers recreated Hodgson's hoppy brew and became known for perfecting the India Ale. In roughly 1840, domestic popular demand grew in England for the export-style pale ale, which soon became known as India Pale Ale. [18]