Cold IPA or IPL? What's the difference?

Cold IPA or IPL? What's the difference?

A Cold IPA (India Pale Ale) and a Cold IPL (India Pale Lager) are different styles, but you make be asking yourself, why is this the case? 

To start, these are two different beers and styles with the same name.

For our take on the style with this beer, we used a lager yeast to ferment at slightly warmer temps and for a shorter time than what we would do for a beer like Lager of the Lakes. That brings out bolder, more aggressive hop profiles (or flavors) compared to a dry-hopped lager (IPL) which is fermented at cooler temps and usually involves less active yeast.

One other notable difference is that Cold IPAs tend to also include adjuncts (ingredients other than water, malt, hops, and yeast). For example, some use cane sugar. 

    • Related Articles

    • What are the IBUs for my Bell's beer?

      While IBU information can be very useful for home brewing a clone recipe, it does not always tell the entire story. We choose not to include this info because of the difference between absolute and perceived bitterness. A great example is the ...

    • Hopslam has honey in it! This is what it does for the beer.

      Our Director of Operations, John Mallett, explains what the honey used in Hopslam contributes to the flavor profile of this wonderfully balanced double IPA.

    • Your label states that the beer is "Best Kept Refrigerated," what do you mean?

      Keeping beer cold will slow the oxidative processes that cause staling, so we recommend refrigeration to maximize the shelf life and insure that the flavor remains as true to our intentions as possible. This remains, however, a recommendation and not ...

    • ADA Accessibility

      Designated accessible parking for persons with disabilities is available in our main café lot with an adjacent handicap accessible ramp. All parking is first come, first served. ADA restrooms are also available in all restrooms at Bell’s Eccentric ...

    • Ticket Information

      How can I purchase tickets to a concert or event? Tickets can be purchased online at on our events page, on Etix, or in person at Bell’s General Store. A small service charge is applied when purchasing tickets online. Purchase your tickets in Bell’s ...