Walk into our taproom at Little Miami Brewing Company on any given day, and there’s one thing you’ll notice immediately: the unmistakable aroma of hops. It’s bright, citrusy, a little piney, and totally irresistible. That’s the IPA effect. Whether you’re a longtime hophead or still curious, there’s a reason these bold brews dominate our tap list (and your taste buds).

IPAs have evolved from a niche choice to mainstay in the craft beer world. Their bold flavors and versatility make them a favorite among brewers and beer enthusiasts alike. The best part? We’re still writing IPA’s next chapter right here in Cincinnati. From historical British recipes to our own Midwest twists, we’ll show you why these hoppy brews became craft beer’s rock stars.

What Exactly Is an IPA Beer?

Let’s settle the basics first. IPA stands for India Pale Ale, a style born from necessity when British brewers needed beer to survive long sea voyages to (you guessed it) India. The trick? More hops = natural preservation.

A good IPA is hop-forward, with aromas ranging from piney to citrusy to downright juicy. They usually pack a bolder ABV, anywhere from 5% to 7.5%, though some can reach 10% or more. 

Modern American brewers took the style and made it their own. While British IPAs are more balanced, ours lean hard into hops with layers of complexity and regional flair, much like Cincinnati’s own craft scene.

The Many Faces of IPA – Style Variations Explained

We often say IPAs are like pizza. Even when it’s “just” an IPA, there’s a world of difference between styles. Here’s how we brew each one at Little Miami Brewing Company:

West Coast IPA

The Original Hop Bomb

• Defining Traits: Crystal-clear, bitter, and loaded with pine and citrus.
• Our Take:
  • Grateful IPA (6% ABV). A classic West Coast punch with Cascade, Centennial, and Mosaic hops. Crisp, clean, and unapologetically hoppy.
• Best For: Hop purists who love a bitter bite.

New England IPA (Hazy IPA)

Juice in a Glass

• Defining Traits: Cloudy, low bitterness, and full of tropical fruit flavor.
• Our Take:
  • Misty Mountain Hop (with Simcoe, Citra, and CTZ hops). It’s basically a mango/pineapple explosion.
  • Peace Frog (American IPA variant): Brewed with real orange peel and lime juice for a zesty twist.
• Best For: IPA newbies or anyone who loves a fruity, smooth sip.

Session IPA

Hop flavor Without the Firepower

• Defining Traits: Light-bodied, lower ABV (under 5%), but still hoppy.
• Our Take:
  • Riverbank IPA (4.5% ABV), balanced and citrusy.
• Best For: Long afternoons on the patio.

Double/Imperial IPA

When Regular IPAs Aren’t Enough

• The Heavy Hitter: More hops, more malt, and more ABV.
• Our Take:
  • Gila Monster (10% ABV). Big, bold, and citrus-forward.
• Pro Tip: Sip slowly, this beast bites back!

Experimental IPAs

This is where we really get creative. 

• We’re always tinkering with:
  • Local ingredients (like Ohio peaches in 71 Peaches)
  • Unique hops (Galaxy hops in Drums>Space)
  • Seasonal twists

We change these up constantly. So, if you want to catch something special, you’ve got to drop by soon. Check our Sauce Newsletter to stay updated.

Why IPA Beers Define the Craft Beer Movement

IPAs didn’t just tag along with the craft beer revolution; they took over the craft beer scene. Because they’re the ultimate brewer’s playground.

Every IPA we make lets us explore wild hop combinations, experiment with local fruits, and push boundaries (like our dry-hopped hazies). Cincinnati’s adventurous food culture is the perfect match; we put chili on spaghetti, after all. So it’s no surprise that bold IPAs found a home here.

Grateful IPA remains our top seller, Junkyard Dog fans keep coming back for its rotating hop profile, and our small-batch releases often disappear in days.

The Community Factor

Nothing gets beer lovers talking like debating west coast vs. hazy styles, hunting limited releases (our drums>space), and sharing flights to compare hop profiles.

The LMBC Difference

While some breweries chase extreme bitterness, we focus on balance. We believe hops should excite, not punish. An IPA should be bold but still drinkable.

IPAs are just like our taproom: bold, welcoming, and always interesting.

Tasting & Pairing: How to Enjoy IPA Like a Pro

Nobody wants a lecture on “proper” beer tasting. But we pour hundreds of IPAs a day, so here are a few IPA food pairings that’ll actually help you enjoy yours more:

Start with a sniff. Swirl gently and inhale. 

• Grateful IPA? Expect pine and grapefruit.
• Misty Mountain Hop? You’ll get mango and pineapple.
• Junkyard Dog? Look for resin and tropical fruit

On the first sip, let it roll over your tongue:

• Front: Sweetness (malt)
• Sides: Bitterness (hops)
• Back: Alcohol warmth (in our 7%+ brews)

A great IPA leaves your mouth refreshed and curious. A bad one? It’s just overwhelming.

Food Pairings That Actually Work

• Grateful IPA (West Coast) + Spicy Buffalo Shuffle Pizza → Hops cut through the heat
• Misty Mountain Hop (Hazy) + Holy Smoke Pulled Pork Pizza → Juicy meets smoky
• Riverbank IPA (Session) + Fish & Chips → Crisp cuts the grease
• Junkyard Dog (Double IPA) + BBQ Bacon Burger → Big beer meets big flavor

Bonus tip: Pint glasses work fine. Just leave room at the top for aroma. And don’t drink it ice cold. IPAs open up beautifully around 50°F.

Uncover extra tips to expertly pair your favorite IPAs

Little Miami Brewing Company’s Take on IPA Beers

Here’s how we make our IPAs taste so damn good without boring you with chemistry:

Our IPA Rules (That We Actually Follow)

We treat hops like royalty. We use the whole-cone hops, not pellet dust. Citra (juicy), Simcoe (piney), Galaxy (tropical). If it’s fresh and flavorful, we’re into it. Ask what’s new; we rotate hops like our tap list.

We adjust our water for the style. Cincinnati water’s great for light beers. For IPAs, we tweak it to get crisp West Coasts or smooth hazies.

Fermentation is flavor. Cooler temps for clean, bitter finishes (like Grateful). Warmer for hazy juice bombs (like Misty Mountain).

Yes, we taste-test daily. It’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it.

Why Our IPAs Hit Different

We don’t overfilter. Hazies stay cloudy, West Coasts stay clear. 

Small batches mean everything’s fresh. If it’s not up to standard, we won’t serve it. Period.

And because we love our roots, we use Ohio-grown hops and fruits whenever we can, from peaches to berries.

Raise a Glass to Boldness

Good IPAs make you pause. Great ones make you crave another sip. That’s what we’re after every time we brew one here at Little Miami: hoppy, balanced, and always worth the trip.

For us, it’s never just about the beer. It’s about that first sip that makes your eyes light up, the laughter around the table, and the “You’ve got to try this” moments between friends. At LMBC, every IPA tells a story. That story comes from ingredients sourced locally, experiments that push flavor forward, and the kind of craftsmanship that starts with obsession and ends in a glass. If you’ve never been to our taproom, you’re missing a bigger piece of that story.

So whether you’re a seasoned hophead or just starting your IPA journey, we invite you to come taste what boldness brewed with heart really means. 

Check what’s pouring at LMBC.