India pale ale
noun [mass noun]
A type of light-coloured beer similar to bitter, typically with a higher than average alcohol and hop content: India pale ale has become the top-selling craft beer style [count noun]: this independent brewery recently introduced an India pale ale...
- The company is considering producing a light-coloured harvest beer or India pale ale later this year.
- A London brewer is credited with inventing India Pale Ale (IPA) near then end of the 18th century.
- India pale ale is a beer style with historical significance.
Origin
Mid 19th century: brewed with a higher alcohol and hop content so as remain drinkable when exported by sea to British colonies.