The realm of beer is a many splendored thing - there are breweries in every corner of the world, crafting up unique brews made from all types of ingredients, making for a beer-drinkers dream.

While this diversity is generally an absolute joy to get involved in, it can lead to confusion about styles, and what you can even begin to expect from any can of beer, which is why we’re gonna bring it back to the basics (briefly), and talk about Pale Ales and IPAs (aka India Pale Ales).

Pale Ale vs IPA?

At its core, both Pale Ales and IPAs sit in the same Pale Ale category: top-fermented ales brewed predominantly using pale malts, with varying degrees of hop inclusions.

What is IPA?

Typically, IPAs are more heavily-hopped and sit at a higher ABV than a brew going under the Pale Ale moniker - historically, IPAs also have a very romantic (but disputed) creation story - but we’re not here to get into semantics, we’re here to talk about tasty beer!

For everything from a lightly hopped Pale Ale, to a decadently hopped IPA (you know the ones, where the labels have about ten letters that all mean something different) - the quantity, type, and method of hop additions can tell you a lot about what you can expect from a beer.

Hops are a natural preservative, but different varieties are prized for their bittering components, aromatic complexity, resinous characteristics, fruity tang, and even spiced qualities. Depending on what the brewer wants to achieve, they can add their hops at different stages to highlight those bitter, aromatic, resinous, fruity, or spice qualities of their chosen hops.

Below is a small selection of some of the delectable beers that we stock, and examples of different stylistic and brewing choices. Start here, or head into your local Blackhearts & Sparrows, have a chat with our friendly staff, and let them point you towards some of their favourites!

Stomping Ground Pale Ale, $24 / 6pk
An Australian take on the American-styled Pale Ale, this is tropical and crisp, with Simcoe, Cascade, and Mosaic hops. An easy-drinker and a great example of the style.

Philter XPA, $22 / 6pk
Just to confuse things further… XPA stands for Extra Pale Ale, which theoretically means the style sits somewhere between a typical Pale and an IPA. Semantics aside, this uses Mosaic, Galaxy, Simcoe, and Citra hops - and is crisp, hoppy, and such a delight to drink.

Alesmith Brewing IPA, $12
**A classic, West Coast-styled IPA which uses Columbus & Citra hops - full of pine, grapefruit, and an excellent balance of malt, hops, and bitterness.

Garage Project Party & Bullshit IPA, $11
**A hazy, hoppy, and tropical East Coast-styled IPA from the excellent Garage Project in New Zealand. Using Simcoe & Mosaic hops, this brew is a party indeed!

Balter Hazy IPA $20 / 4pk
**Hazy, hoppy, and delicious, with a flavour combination reminiscent of candied orange, mango and passionfruit, followed by a refreshing breeze of bitterness underneath.

Hop Nation J Juice NEIPA, $22 / 4pk
A New England-style IPA, made in Melbourne! With hop additions of Riwaka, Nelson Sauvin, Citra, and Mosaic hops - this is hazy, juicy, and delicious.

Modus Operandi Hazy 07, $11
A creamy, hazy mixed berry ‘Smoothie IPA’, which uses Mystic and Huell Melon hops. Softly juicy with a very low bitterness, this is very easy-drinking. Smoothie IPAs typically use lactose and occasionally oats to give it that distinctive creamy body.