India Pale Ale - MGM Wine & Spirits

India pale ales

If You’re Hoppy and You Know It

Minnesota summers are brief, and Minnesotans maximize every moment. Some may split their time between the cabin and home, running from work to the dock and everywhere in between. They need a beer versatile enough for every occasion and that travels as well as they do. In the 1700s, the British also needed a durable, versatile beer that could withstand a long journey overseas, so they fermented the India pale ale. Now, it is a great beer to pack in the cooler for cabin trips and boat rides or to serve at backyard barbecues.

IPAs, characterized by bold bitterness and an assertive flavor, are lighter and cleaner than traditional beers and lagers. The original British IPA was light, bright and strong. Traditional IPA is a leaner brew, requiring less malt and, therefore, a weaker hop to maintain its delicate balance.

Originally a beverage for the elite, akin to wine, the ale is made rich and aged over a long period of time to mellow out. Freshly picked hops are added late in the fermentation process to maintain a snappy taste. Traditional IPAs also have floral notes and a caramel finish. The trademark of American IPA is stronger hops, most of which come from the Cascade Valley in Washington, the Napa Valley of beer.

Bell’s Two Hearted Ale

Pine and grapefruit aromas greet you as you crack open this American-style IPA from Bell’s Brewery in Michigan. Two Hearted Ale floods your palate with fruity notes and a strong malted backbone. This versatile, golden ale has enough body and depth for cooler temperatures but also expresses brightness and citrus punch for warmer seasons.

Fulton Sweet Child of Vine

A Minnesota native, the complex and approachable Fulton Brewery’s Sweet Child of Vine combines earthy notes with zesty citrus on its rolling finish. Glacier and CTZ hops amply heaped in throughout the boil and in the final stages of fermentation supply the sweet, hoppy aroma that surges from the English-style IPA. Each sip carries a touch of caramel malt within the impeccable balance of Sweet Child of Vine.

Summit Sága

Summit Brewing Co.’s Sága, a strong-hop, low-malt IPA brewed in St. Paul, is named after the Norse goddess Sága, drinking companion of the god Odin. Tropical aromas and flavors with assertive bitterness and a clean, thick body make the brew an unusual American-style IPA.

Surly Furious

Refreshing citrus melds with thick caramel malt in Surly Brewing Co.’s Minnesota-made ale. The aroma will transport you to the tropics, with pineapple and mango notes and tinges of grapefruit and orange. Scottish Golden Promise malted grain gives the ale that rich sweetness and strong backbone that makes Furious more than just upset.

SIP ON THIS

What’s in a Name

The name India pale ale comes from its frequent shipment to British troops on duty in India in the 1700s. They found the ale quenching and fresh in the sultry Indian heat.

India Pale ales

Food Pairings

Confident, brusque and slightly sweet, India pale ales are ideal to sip with spicy cuisine. The strong malted backbone that accompanies most IPAs helps the palate withstand the strongest spices in Cajun, Thai, Indian and Hispanic dishes. Pair any IPA with bright flavors such as citrus or cilantro, and vibrant spices like coriander and cumin. It balances curry and red meat, such as beef tacos and bacon. For dessert, the pine nose and stronger malt of Bell’s Two Hearted couples with carrot cake, while its citrus flavors are enhanced with anything caramel apple-flavored. Surly Furious complements the more subtle flavors of blue cheese and lamb, while Fulton Sweet Child of Vine pairs with salty foods such as pork, tacos and chips. Summit Sága’s tropical flavors and hoppy taste pairs well with spicy and peppery foods, strong cheeses, and marinated meats.

INDIA PALE ALES

Thai Pork with Peanut Sauce

Makes 4 servings

Pork Chops

¼ cup all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon ground cumin

¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

½ teaspoon salt

4 boneless pork chops, about ¾-inch thick

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

¼ cup chopped green onion, for garnish

¼ cup sliced red bell pepper, for garnish

¼ cup coarsely chopped dry roast peanuts, for garnish

¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish

Peanut Sauce

⅓ cup chicken broth

½ cup coconut milk

2 tablespoons peanut butter

1 tablespoon honey

1 teaspoon ground ginger

¼ teaspoon salt

For the pork chops: On a plate, combine the flour, cumin, cayenne pepper and salt. Stir to distribute the spices. Coat the pork chops with the flour mixture, and shake off any excess.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the pork chops in the hot skillet and fry for about 4 minutes per side, until cooked through.
For the peanut sauce: While the pork chops cook, stir together the chicken broth, coconut milk, peanut butter, honey, ginger and salt. Remove the pork chops to a serving platter and keep warm.
Pour the peanut sauce onto the skillet. Cook, stirring constantly for 2 minutes, or until thickened. Pour peanut sauce over the chops, and garnish with green onion, bell pepper, peanuts and cilantro.

Recipe courtesy of allrecipes.com

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