I have always been into food and drink.
I owned a toy kitchen when I was circa five years old, I studied Home Economics at GCSE and A Level, and now a chunk of my writing, both for the Day Job and personal blog, also involves food and drink.
I am a voracious reader and read cookbooks for fun (more on my current read of Tasting Beer by Randy Mosher later).
My go-to tipple is an Old Fashioned, regardless of season.
Up until a few months ago I would have been happy with a Neck Oil by Beavertown.
Then I tried a DIPA beer.
I blame Suds & Soda on Friar Gate, Derby for the introduction and for making me expect nothing less than a delicious DIPA.
What is a DIPA beer?
I love a catchy acronym as much as the next person, so brace yourself for cutesy acronym of the season.
DIPA is a Double India Pale Ale.
The flavour profile is more intense, think of it as the bolder, in-yer-face older sibling of the humble IPA.
It typically has a higher alcohol content – I love a good 8%-er.
There is more flavour of hops and a DIPA is more fragrant too, thanks to its ‘doubled’ malt and hops content giving rise to a sweeter, funkier, bitter-on-the-swallow tipple.
My latest DIPA that I thoroughly enjoyed was Double Dinner by Shiny Brewery, a local brewer that is doing great things in Derby and beyond.
I also tried a TIPA.
This Triple Hopped IPA was potent and I just about managed to finish a can.
I much prefer a smoother DIPA, so I guess it’s down to people’s preference.
Several people have said I need to get on Untappd and document my beer journey on there, so that is something I am looking forward to doing this month.
I am super keen to learn about beers, DIPAs and the more complex flavour profiles, so watch this space.
What are your favourite beers? I would love to know more, get in touch by emailing [email protected] and I’ll take a look.