We often hear, "I don't like IPAs." But usually, that means: I've tasted one type of IPA and think they're all the same. That's a shame, because IPA isn't a flavor, but a collective term . And within that category, the differences are significant. The most well-known distinction is between West Coast IPA and East Coast IPA . And later, another style was added: New England IPA . Time to clarify that distinction. Back in time To understand the difference between the various IPA styles, we need to go back to the rise of craft beer in the United States . In the 1980s, the first craft brewers began to rebel against industrial beer. Initially, they primarily brewed pale ales , but soon began exploring forgotten and classic beer styles. Porter and stout returned, and wheat beers , inspired by the German Weissbier, also appeared . The IPA also emerged during this period . Not yet as an extreme hop bomb, but primarily as an extra-hoppy Pale Ale : recognizable, dry, and easy to drink. Because the craft beer revolution began on the West Coast of the US (California, Oregon, Washington), this automatically became the basis for what we later came to call the West Coast IPA . Early breweries included Anchor Brewing and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. The difference between IPA types explained In those early years, brewers primarily used the so-called C-hops . It started with Cascade (considered by many brewers to be the hop that defined the American beer style), followed by Chinook and Centennial . Key detail: the difference between the various types of IPAs wasn't so much which hops were used, but how they were used. West Coast IPA: bitter and tight Over the course of the 1990s, West Coast IPAs became increasingly dry, bitter, and sharper . IBU values rose from roughly 40–60 to 60–80, and sometimes even higher . Features: Dry fermentation Higher perceived bitterness Hop as the main character This became the classic West Coast IPA : clear, distinct and uncompromising. East Coast IPA: response and balance East Coast breweries responded to this development, creating IPAs that offered more balance : More malt body Slightly lower in bitterness Rounder mouthfeel They often used the same hop varieties , but in a different way: Fewer late hop doses More focus on structure than on aggression Sometimes supplemented with European hop varieties This is what we call the East Coast IPA . Clear, classic, and balanced. A style that was especially popular around 2000–2008 . New England IPA: a style break Only after 2010 did something completely different emerge: the New England IPA (NEIPA) . This isn't a further development of the East Coast IPA , but it does build on that style culturally and geographically. It's a conscious break from everything IPA has ever been. Features: Hazy Soft mouthfeel (due to oats and wheat) Low bitterness Explosive hop aroma New American hop varieties play a major role here, such as Simcoe, Amarillo, Citra, and Mosaic . These hops provide the familiar juicy and fruity character . IPA today: anything goes IPA has become a playing field. There are countless variations, such as: Black IPA Red IPA White IPA Session IPA Double and Triple IPA Sour IPA Not all of them are permanent, but all are part of the IPA evolution. How can you tell what kind it is when it only says “IPA”? If the label of the can or bottle only says IPA, you need to read between the lines. Pay attention to the description, the terms used, the hop varieties and the appearance of the beer. Words like bitter , dry  or juicy  often say more than the name. As mentioned before, IPA is not a single flavour but a collection of styles. And the label usually tells you more than the name. IPA and alcohol-free Among non-alcoholic beers, IPA is the most common style. This makes sense: hops add flavor, structure, and tension, exactly what alcohol normally does. But here too, one IPA is not the same as another. Is it a jaw-dropping West Coast IPA or a smooth, juicy New England IPA ? Both are delicious, as long as you know what you're drinking.

Dry January is becoming more popular every year. More and more people are deciding not to drink alcohol in January. Sometimes out of curiosity, sometimes for their health, sometimes to critically examine their relationship with alcohol. Last week, a friend told me he wanted to participate in Dry January for the first time. He quickly added: he'll definitely make an exception for that one New Year's get-together. That was the moment for me to share my experiences. I've temporarily quit drinking several times myself and learned what works and what doesn't. Below are my key insights and tips for sticking to Dry January, even when things get tough. Many people look for tips on how to maintain Dry January , because quitting alcohol in practice turns out to be more difficult than they initially thought. My experience with quitting alcohol Quitting alcohol for the first time is difficult. Not because you consciously want to drink every day, but because alcohol is often deeply ingrained in your routine. A drink after work, a weekend get-together, a glass of wine with dinner. These are times when saying "no" doesn't feel natural. It's precisely those predictable moments that make Dry January difficult. And you can prepare for them. Tip 1: Identify your difficult moments in advance Think ahead about when it's going to be hard not to drink. For me, that was always Friday night. After a long work week, cracking open a craft beer was part of the experience. Just like drinks and parties. Make a plan in advance. For example: At drinks I drink non-alcoholic champagne At parties I drink non-alcoholic beer At home I always make sure that alternatives are available This way you don't have to have an argument with yourself at that moment. Tip 2: Be prepared for withdrawal symptoms Especially the first time you quit drinking alcohol, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. This sounds difficult, but it's actually quite confronting. Common symptoms include: Headache Sleep worse Sweating Unrest or gloom Shaking hands How long this takes varies from person to person. Don't see this as failure, but as information. If your body reacts this way to not drinking, it also says something about the structural effects of alcohol on you. Tip 3: Provide good non-alcoholic alternatives When I first quit drinking, I actively sought alternatives. First, fruit juices and soda, then increasingly non-alcoholic beers. This search eventually became so relentless that it led to my webshop, ONP5. The lesson is simple: make sure you have alternatives on hand. When you'd normally reach for a beer or wine, you don't want to miss out. Non-alcoholic beer, mocktails, or anything else you're really craving will make Dry January a lot easier. Tip 4: Don't do Dry January alone Quitting alcohol works better when you share it. Find someone who's also participating in Dry January and share experiences. Tell people around you that you're not drinking. Not because they find it interesting, but because it helps you. You can also register with IkPas.nl . They support people who are temporarily quitting alcohol and offer, among other things, an app and practical guidance. Tip 5: Accept that it's boring sometimes Not drinking can feel boring. That's partly true. People who do drink loosen up, talk more easily, and stay around longer. You stay sober. Literally. That says more about their alcohol consumption, not about you. Be okay with leaving early. Before conversations get repetitive and everyone slurs their words. It's also educational: you see how you likely come across when you're tipsy. Tip 6: Don't make exceptions This is perhaps the most important tip. If you agree with yourself to abstain from alcohol for a period, one exception isn't really an option. Of course, some people can manage that. But for the vast majority, one exception quickly leads to another. After that, you lose faith in yourself and fall back into your old habits. No means no. That's what makes Dry January so clear and achievable. Finally Dry January isn't a competition or a moral statement. It's an experiment. With yourself. With your habits. With your relationship with alcohol. Hopefully my experiences and tips will help you get through a month, or any other alcohol-free period, more consciously and easily. Good luck with Dry January.

Non-alcoholic IPAs are more popular than ever. And that's no surprise: with an IPA, extra hops help compensate for the lack of alcohol. Hops provide bitterness, aroma, and that distinct beer-like character IPA lovers crave. This top 10 includes both West Coast IPAs (drier and more bitter) and East Coast/NEIPAs (fruity, aromatic, and often a bit milder). The difference lies primarily in the hop varieties and how they're used: bittering hops, aroma hops, or a combination of both. The balance between these hops ultimately determines the beer's character. In our opinion, these are the tastiest alcohol-free IPAs of the moment . 10. Spanner – Wrench 0.5 Just released, but an instant hit. Moersleutel drew on his experience with robust IPAs for this alcohol-free version. Full-bodied, intense, and surprisingly complete. On our internal Playground scale (see 3rd place), it scores remarkably high, perhaps even higher, to be honest. 9. Omnipollo – Hatt It's as if the amount of hops for a 44cl can has been crammed into a small can. Nelson Sauvin, Motueka, and Citra burst forth the moment you open it. Based on the alcoholic Swedish version, which is among the absolute best there. The alcohol-free version is just as good. 8. Lervig – No Worries IPA Lervig proves that alcohol-free can also be elegant. Not overly hopped, but thanks to a special yeast still beautifully rounded, smooth, and with a distinct hoppy bitterness. Subtle, yet very thoughtfully brewed. 7. Brulo – Lust for Life During a blind tasting with several beer sommeliers, no one could believe this was alcohol-free, and rightly so. It's brewed with Citra, Simcoe, and Mosaic, and double dry hopped for added aroma and depth. A textbook example of how good a non-alcoholic IPA can be. 6. Funky Fluid – Free Foggy A New England IPA bursting with tropical fruit, even with a hint of piña colada. Funky Fluid works as a contract brewery with top brewers, but the recipes and ingredients are entirely their own. The result: smooth, aromatic, and dangerously drinkable. 5. GOD – Good Old Days This Belgian beer sits perfectly between a hoppy blond and an IPA. It's reminiscent of Duvel, but alcohol-free. The hop varieties used remain a secret, but the balance is perfect. A characterful beer with a distinct style. 4. Tartarus – Spright The best alcohol-free IPA from the UK. And that's saying something, because England is leading the way in alcohol-free beer. Citra, Idaho 7, and Simcoe create recognizable IPA aromas, while wheat and oat flakes make the beer complex, smooth, and fruity. 3. vandeStreek – Playground The GOAT among alcohol-free IPAs. The benchmark since 2017, both nationally and internationally. Every new IPA we receive is measured against this standard. It's no coincidence that we call it the Playground scale . 2. FrauGruber – Lucky Liver FrauGruber's first alcohol-free beer was an instant hit. Citra, Centennial, and Mosaic create a creamy, hazy IPA with plenty of body and aroma. Visually and sensibly compelling. 1. Funky Fluid – Free California Love The winner. A classic West Coast IPA that's practically incomparable to a full-bodied version. Mosaic, Citra, Simcoe, and Columbus combine to create a crisp, bitter, and perfectly balanced beer. It's no wonder it scores almost 4 stars on Untappd. Honorable mentions It was difficult to choose. Ten is actually too few. Just off the list were: Nøgne Ø – Himla Humla To Øl – Implosion Pronck – NEIPA Hoop Brewery – Hula Hula But know The quality of non-alcoholic IPAs has exploded. Whichever you choose, you can't go wrong with an IPA from our shop. Browse our full selection and discover your favorite.