I don’t know if this is a national trend or just something that is popping up here in Southern California, but I’ve seen a lot of “India Pale Lagers” appearing on menus recently.
Anyone else notice this?
Yes.
And there’s one in my fermenter as well. I’ve had some good one’s so I thought what the heck and pitched some 34-70 to half of the last IPA wort i made. Might be ready to keg this weekend.
I’ve had Sam Adams double agent IPL and didn’t care for it. It just seemed wrong. But that’s just me.
More of a fan of Imperial lagers. The couple IPL that I had were meh! Imperial Bo-pils that is good.
The IPLs I’ve had were so close to well made IPAs that I have wo wonder what the point if an IPL is. Because you can?
Maybe, or perhaps because some folks brew in conditions more favorable for lager brewing. Just seems like something worth trying for sure. It’s not like trying to make beer that tastes like a PB&J sandwich or something as rediculous as that.
I’ve made a few IPLs in the past, for something fun and different. But spending twice the amount of time to brew something that, in the end, tastes like an IPA seemed like a waste. As said, I do love a good imperial pils though.
I’m with Denny on this one. I not sure I see the point of an IPL when a well-made IPA will do.
Because we’re homebrewers guys. We like variety and being creative, remember?
What’s the point of homebrewing if well-made commercial beer will do?
who said commercial? I’m just playing devils advocate here though. I think Denny hit it right on the head. Because You Can.
Chime…
I say go for it. If Pelican can make Cream Ale, that is actually a blonde, but tastes and looks identical to Full Sail Session premium lager… why not?
Wolverine State brewing makes an IPL called Gulo Gulo. It is hopped like an IPA, but is very clean tasting, and is dangerously drinkable. They mainly brew lagers, so something like an IPL is in their mission, and appeals to the must have hops crowd.
I’ve liked the Sam Adams IPL, one I tried locally at a pub, and the ones I made. I like the idea, I just don’t want to use equipment and space at home to make something I could turn out quicker as an IPA. So kinda like lambics, I love them but would rather somebody else spend the time to make them. But I would love to try some of the IPLs from Jack’s Abby in Massachusetts. I have beer geek friends that live out that way, and they rave about them.
Pretty much. I’ve wasted my last two lager brewing seasons chasing the elusive “hoppy lager”. In the end I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s simply an IPA or APA brewed with a different yeast strain. Don’t get me wrong, the beers were great and I’d probably do it more often if I had the capability to lager year-round, but it’s no different than using something like WLP007 or WY1968 instead of Chico. It’s simply a different yeast choice and will give a different fermentation character; a very clean one in this case.
FWIW, WY2007 (Budweiser) is a very good choice for this. It is the cleanest yeast I’ve ever used, but there is still a hint of that apple ester note that plays very well with American hops.
The WLP Mexican lager yeast is the cleanest yeast I have ever used, and it is almost too clean. Guess what strain Wolverine uses?
I think you’re missing the point when you bring up commercial beer. Why should I bother making an IPL when an IPA that I make can have the same properties? Creativity should have a point, shouldn’t it?
If your enjoyment is the journey from point a to point be, I can see enjoying the challenge of making an IPA with lager yeast. If the idea is to get to point b the most efficient way… then it doesn’t make sense.
What if there is no point b and the journey is from point a to point a…pointless? 
I think I see your point. I guess there’s so much attention on IPA these days that folks want to turn other styles into them. I’ve heard of Belgian IPA , now lager IPA. I’m looking forward to IPA cider and mead someday.
Actually, to each his own. I say go for it.
For me it’s a time thing right now. I love the IPLs I’ve had, but until I can replace my burned out lager fridge, I’d have my fermentation fridge tied up with a lager (and lagering) for longer than I’d like. But there should always be the journey and the creativity.