ABOUT THE BOOK The story of IPA beer starts, as most tales of good beer usually do, in a British pub. The term "India Pale Ale" is a bit misleading because the beer is not brewed in India, but rather originates in Britain previously destined for the Indian marketplace. IPA beers originated as "October ales," named so because they were typically brewed during that month to accompany British sailors on their trips to the East Indies. The long journey proved problematic for darker beers; although often preferred by the British public, these beers would spoil by the end of the journey. The creation of the IPA solved the challenges of traveling for months by boat through extreme temperatures. IPAs in particular incorporate more hops, which contribute to the bitter, flowery, or citrusy flavors. The term "hops" refers to the flower of a particular vine, a quintessential aspect of beer-making. Historically, the production of IPA used hops to help stabilize beer on its journey to the Indies. Hops act as a natural preservative, so the beer would travel better with more hops during the days before modern refrigeration techniques. IPAs eventually gained popularity in Britain and other parts of the world (the American Pale Ale is a variation using American hops) as brewers served the beer in pubs, and consumers began to like and even prefer the flavor. MEET THE AUTHOR Cara Batema holds a Bachelor's degree in music and creative writing. Cara composes scores and performs for films in addition to writing and editing children's novels and other publications. Cara loves food, wine, fashion, bike riding, and other general artsy diversions. Subscribe to Cara's Los Angeles Coffee Examiner page or follow on Twitter @indiesmitty. EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK Try contrasting or complementing flavors. For example, couple a spicy pale ale with a spicy Thai or Indian dish. The spice and robustness of the beer works well with the bite of the food. On the flipside, pick a dry, bitter IPA to work with