Enjoying a pint of India Pale Ale is an acquired taste, given its tendency for being very hoppy, dry and bitter. And often with a higher alcohol level. If you’re new to the world of IPA, don’t start your session with one and don’t try chugging a few down at a sitting. We’re fans of IPA but in Singapore, the only place you’ll be assured of IPA on tap is Brewerkz, which by all accounts is a good brew, having notched several awards to show for it. So when we found out that Archipelago Brewery had launched their own IPA, we were thrilled, it’s about time!

A brewmaster once said, "Never underestimate what a good glass can do for beer."

The Archipelago Hickory Smoked IPA is a unique hybrid of beer styles, the popular English India Pale Ale & the German smoked Rauchbier styles, with American hops, resulting in a beer tasting closer to the American IPAs that the English. Making this brew was a collaboration with Smokey’s BBQ restaurant (located at 73 Joo Chiat Place) where the Hickory wood chips used by Smokey’s BBQ, an authentic smokehouse restaurant, to smoke the malt to create this limited edition Hickory Smoked IPA.

Because it’s smoked, it’s got a beautiful amber glow and very aromatic. Made with a combination of three American hops – Centennial, Chinook & Tomahawk – which are all commonly used in a lot of American pale ales, the Hickory Smoked IPA has a savoury yet citrus taste. If you’re new to IPAs, it may need a few sips to start appreciating the smoky aftertaste on the palate and scents of smoky essences. Here’s a tip, have it at Smokey’s BBQ and pair it with their pulled pork, which is cooked over 18hours or even with a bowl of their chilli. It’s a perfect combination!

A chef once said, "Never underestimate what food and do for a beer."

If you’re into the whiskeys like Oban, you’ll love this beer, the smoky aftertaste is quite similar.

The Archipelago Hickory Smoked IPA was created for Beerfest 2011 and will be available at Smokey’s BBQ and other Archipelago concept bars in the coming weeks.

An uncle once said, "Never underestimate what a beer babe can do for beer."