IPAs are slowly taking over the world. When people think of craft beer they think of hops, and that's thanks to the amazing modern beers produced using the big citrusy hops of Northern America. But IPAs have a ruch history – they were originally brewed to send to colonials in India. The hops contain acids that preserved the beer for the months it took to make the journey, but also imparted citric and earthy flavours as well as bitterness. Pale ales are a wide category but can be seen broadly as the IPA's quieter cousin, using fewer hops but also a paler malt character so the flavours can still shine through.