Oh Wonderous Suds

I have embarked on another one of crazy ideas and started to create my next beer. But Benji, you may ask, this has nothing to do with the military? This is where you would be incorrect. Many of our forefathers were brewmasters them selves. While many choosing to brew whisky instead of ale or mead, it has its root deep in military and especially Britsh Navy Culture. As a salute to those who served, I am creating an Imperial India Pale Ale.
IPA History (in short)
In order to satiate heads of state, and Brits living on the Asian sub-continent Some of their favorite ale was sent from the fog bogs to Inda. Due to the condition onboard a ship most noteabbly the lack of A/C and the long trips (often several months), their ales would spoil on the passge. They had to think of a way to further preserve the beer. Enter Hops. Hops was initiall used as a means to preserve the ale. So why not add more preservatives to make the ale last. It did last but what they didn't expect was to create a beer with a noticeablly more bitter taste than their normal ales. In order to support this the mash was increased which also leads to a sweeter beer to off set the bitterness and a higher alcohol content.
What makes it Imperial?
To answer this is simple. Add more of everything. More malted Barley and more Hops!! This creates a beer even higher in alcohol and even more bitter.
A Tribute
So again as a tribute to those who are serving and who have served this IIPA is for you. It will be handed out to local soldiers returning from their long deployments over seas and the receipe will be posted for other brewers wishing to do the same. It's my first official beer for the soldiers, by a soldier. Enjoy!!