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A little reason to celebrate

National IPA Day

Drink · The first Thursday in August

A day for India pale ale, the hop-forward beer style known for its bitterness, bright aromas and many regional variations.

National IPA Day falls on Thursday, August 5, 2027. That is 282 days away.

IPA stands for India pale ale, a style of beer built around hops. It starts as a pale ale and then leans hard on the hop plant, which gives the beer its bitterness and much of its smell. National IPA Day falls on the first Thursday in August.

Pour one and the aroma usually arrives before the first sip. Depending on the hops, it can smell like grapefruit, pine, mango, fresh grass or something close to a pot of tea. The bitterness follows, firm in some glasses and soft in others. Fans tend to talk about IPAs the way coffee people talk about beans, comparing notes on fruit, resin and finish.

The style has split into several branches. A West Coast IPA is typically clear and crisp with a dry, bitter edge. A hazy or New England IPA looks cloudy and tastes juicier and gentler. A double or imperial IPA is stronger and fuller. Session IPAs go the other way, lighter and easier.

Most people mark the day by trying a style they have not had before, or by setting two side by side to see how different hops change the same basic beer. Local breweries and taprooms often pour something fresh, and freshness matters here, because hop aroma fades as a beer sits. Non-alcoholic IPAs have also become common, so the hop flavor is on the table for anyone at the gathering.

IPAs also pair well with spicy food, where the bitterness and citrus notes stand up to heat.

Ways to celebrate

• Try a hazy IPA next to a West Coast IPA and compare them.
• Visit a local brewery or taproom to see what is fresh.
• Sample a non-alcoholic IPA for the hop flavor alone.
• Pair an IPA with a spicy dish like tacos or curry.
• Smell your beer before sipping and name the aromas you notice.

Dates

All national days on August 5

Also on August 5

• National Oyster Day
• Work Like a Dog Day
• National Underwear Day

Categories: Drink days