Many already know that ales and IPAs (India Pale Ales) are not the same. However, there’s a difference between knowing differences exist and knowing what these differences are! With prime Summer months approaching, it’s never a bad idea to know about the various beverage options and how they can better accompany your meals! This article will discuss the difference between a blonde, a brown ale, and an IPA. You’ll be set for making the most of Summer 2025.
Brewing Process
The brewing processes for blonde, brown, and IPAs involve steps that are quite similar. The differences are found in the characteristics of the ingredients, hop additions, and the conditions in which they are fermented. These all affect the final flavor profiles.
Mashing
The process itself starts with mashing. This involves mixing milled grains with water at a specific temperature. This activates the enzymes that convert starches to sugars. For blonde ales, this temperature is around 152°F (67°C). Brown ales tend to benefit from slightly lower temperatures of about 148°F (64°C).
IPAs can be mashed at similar temperatures to both blondes and browns, but this depends on the specific recipe being used. Brown ales may have a medium-bitterness profile with hop additions that are balanced with the malt flavors.
Lautering
The lautering step is next; this separates the sweet wort from the spent grains. This is then collected and boiled to sterilize it. This stops any enzyme activity and extracts the hops’ flavor/bitterness.
Hop additions are made throughout the boil. For bitterness, larger additions are made at the beginning, and for the aroma, smaller additions are made at the end. Blonde ales may require a more minimal hop addition to ensure the malt properties are highlighted. IPAs typically have a higher addition of hops to offer a more noticeable hop flavor.
Yeast is added to the cooled wort to ferment the sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide. The yeast used will differ depending on whether the ale is blonde or brown. Then, the beer is often aged in another fermentation receptacle, kegs or bottles. This helps to clarify and develop the flavors.
Blonde Ale
Blonde ales are light-bodied compared to the other options. So much so that they are sometimes confused with lagers. However, the difference between these two is the type of yeast used and the fermentation temperature.
These two factors alone contribute to their crisp taste, balanced with mild sweetness. They are incredibly refreshing and are therefore associated with being the perfect “warmer weather” beverage. Their alcohol content is generally lower than IPAs, which is enticing for many who wish to have a lighter option.
Brown Ale
As the name suggests, brown ale is generally darker than blonde ales, with colors ranging from amber to dark brown. They offer notes of nut, caramel, and sometimes even chocolate or toast. This often leads them to have a more bitter taste. Their alcohol content also tends to be lower than IPAs, but this can vary.
India Pale Ale (IPA)
If you enjoy the more bitter taste brown ales provide, IPAs may be another good option. They are known for their high bitterness due to the strong presence of hops. However, rather than having a richer taste, they often have an herbal, citrus, or pine aroma depending on which variety of hops is used.
IPAs can range in color from golden to amber. This golden hue may be misleading, as their alcohol content tends to be higher than blonde or brown ales. If a bold, hoppier beer is what you’re looking for, we recommend an India Pale Ale.
How To Choose Between a Blonde, a Brown Ale, and an IPA
To choose between a Blonde Ale, Brown Ale, and IPA, it’s important to consider your preferred taste profile. This involves knowing which tastes are the most appealing to you and which beverages provide the desired characteristics.
Taste
With aromatics playing a large part in how the ale tastes, beer offerings can depend on your preference for sweetness, bitterness, and hop intensity. Blonde Ales are refreshing and generally lighter. Brown Ales offer a richer, more malty flavor profile with notes of caramel or chocolate. And, IPAs are known for their high hop bitterness and citrusy/fruity, floral notes
Taste Profile
A taste profile (also known as flavor profile) describes the combination of various taste elements and the sensory experiences they provide. Oftentimes, this is a priority when dining. However, it is relevant for beverages too!
Taste elements range from sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami. The sensory experiences that characterize the food and beverage’s makeup include its texture and aroma. These are often affected by a food’s temperature and spiciness. For ales and IPAs, there are various factors to consider:
Visual Aspects
Ales range from pale gold, amber, and dark brown. The hue is often based on the type of malts used and can be used as a visual aid in determining the ale’s profile. IPAs also vary in color and usually show a light and golden hue. However, some IPAs can be hazier than others.
The foam on an ale, also referred to as “head”, is another visual indication of its carbonation. It may also affect the release of the aroma.
Aromas
According to DraughtLab, our sense of smell is experienced in two ways. One is in through the nose (sniffing or orthonasal) and the other is out through the nose. Out through the nose is referred to as Retronasal Olfaction. Both can have an impact on how we taste ales and IPAs!
It is always encouraged to smell your ale before drinking it. We know this may sound odd. But, with how smell is connected to taste, doing so may cause drinks to taste even better. As with a beverage’s visual appearance, its aroma can tell you a lot about it. It also improves its taste by preparing your brain for the flavors that are about to be experienced.
As soon as you pick up on hints of citrus, floral, or pine, the aroma sends a signal to your brain that it is fresh and enhances the flavor perception. Have you ever experienced smelling “old” or “stale” beer? Then you know exactly how such a scent can have the unfortunate opposite effect on the taste.
The most common IPA aromas tend to be grass, pine, wood, mango, pineapple, grapefruit skin, or pith. For pale ales, malt, hint of caramel, biscuit. And for brown ales, apple, caramel, plum, and raisin are quite popular aromatics.
You’ll Never Know Until You Try!
As you can see, whether you like one ale over another is greatly based on personal preference! We can give you all the information possible, but until you taste all three delicious options, you’ll never know what you truly enjoy! We’ve tried our very best to describe the tastes each ale provides. Even so, it’s not the same as enjoying a beverage or two in our welcoming setting.
Visit Chestnut Hill’s Beer Garden or Taproom today! Our location at 8231 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA offers both casual and upscale dining options. Call us to make a reservation at 215 247 0330 or book online easily here. You’ll be able to ask us for more information about our brewing techniques in person!