The American thirst for IPAs is seemingly boundless. Regular IPAs, Double IPAs, Triple IPAs, Rye IPAs, West Coast and New England IPAs, Black, Brown, Red, White and Belgian IPAs. And now (wait for it . . .) Milkshake IPAs!
When I first heard about Milkshake IPAs a while back, my reaction was, “Really? How gimmicky can you get?” I’m a bit of a purist and have never really warmed up to beers that purport to taste like foods from your childhood – like PB&J, French toast or a myriad of other concoctions. At the end of the day, I like beer to taste like beer. That said, as a Belgian-style brewer, I do respect creativity in brewing. I have myself brewed a range of fruit and vegetable beers, spice beers, sour beers, and most of the IPA styles listed above.
Milkshake IPAs, though? They were a stretch. Nonetheless, I decided not to pre-judge and tried a few. Bottom line, they were a lot better than I expected them to be – and they are certainly a legitimate beer style.
What Exactly Are Milkshake IPAs?
Milkshake IPAs are similar to East Coast IPAs, which are fruity and juicy from all of the hops being added at the end of the boil and in the fermenters. Milkshake IPAs are a bit different in that they also have lactose (a non-fermentable milk sugar), oats, and sometimes wheat flour and pureed apples (for thickening pectin). These ingredients give the beer a residual sweetness and the thickness of a milkshake.
Milkshake IPAs are very hazy and have a thick, creamy texture. Many are fermented with fruits like strawberries, blackberries and mangoes (to name but a few), or with chocolate, vanilla and other spices. Of course, as an IPA, they also need a good measure of hops – especially those varieties which are tropical and fruity.
Who Thought These Beers Up?
While many brewers have cooked up variations of these beers for many years, The Tired Hands Brewing Company in Ardmore, Pennsylvania and their owner/brewmaster, Jean Broillet, are considered the patron saints of the Milkshake IPA style. In 2015, Broillet collaborated with the Swedish brewery Omnipollo to create the first modern Milkshake IPA. It was a runaway hit! Broillet has, since then, created a full line of milkshake IPAs – 22 in all – each with a different fruit.
What is the Public Reaction to Milkshake IPAs?
To say they are popular would be an understatement. Whatever purists and critics may say about the style, Milkshake IPAs are selling out as quickly as brewers can make them. More and more breweries are brewing them and putting ever more interesting twists on them. Some are actually being called “culinary IPAs” because they are blurring the lines between beer and food.
Where Can I find Milkshake IPAs in Denver?
Milkshake IPAs are popping up everywhere as more and more breweries take the plunge. You will find some good examples of the style at Weldwerks in Greely, Station 26 in Denver, Odell’s in Ft. Collins, 4 Noses in Broomfield, Outer Range in Frisco, and Fiction in Denver.
Whether you are a traditionalist or are seeking out the latest and greatest, add Milkshake IPAs to your list of beers to try. At the very least, it will be an interesting experience. Do you have a favorite Milkshake IPA? Comment below!
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