India Pale Ale (IPA) Cheese Pairings

Pairing Cheese with India Pale Ale (IPA) - It takes a brawny cheese to stand up to the intense flavors of many of today's IPAs. Aside from blue cheeses, the strongest cheeses tend to be of the stinky, washed-rind variety. These products, with their higher salt contents and rich, meaty taste, are an effective foil to an India Pale Ale's bite.

About India Pale Ale (IPA) - Historically, India Pale Ales were first brewed in England for export to India during the late 1700s and are notable for their near-overwhelming hop profile – the enzymes present in hops acted as a natural preservative during the long ocean voyages. Due in no small part to an English law taxing beer by its alcohol content (still on the books!), the strength of many British beers has waned over the years. Simultaneously, with advances in technology, beer preservation has become less dependent on hopping. As a result, “superhopped” Ales seemed on the verge of extinction until American craft brewers picked up the style in recent years. The United States' top breweries are in a veritable race to create IPAs capable of carrying extreme levels of hoppiness balanced by a residual sweetness and very high alcohol content!