9 Luppoli American IPA
2 logs on Brewskipotatoes
Tasting Notes
This American IPA from an Italian macro-leaning brewery leads with moderate hop character — expect citrus and light pine on the nose, though the expression is relatively restrained compared to craft-forward examples of the style. The body is medium and the malt backbone is present enough to balance without competing, with a clean fermentation profile suggesting lager-influenced production values. The bitterness on the finish is noticeable but not aggressive, landing closer to accessible than assertive. If you're expecting a resinous, West Coast-style punch, calibrate expectations toward a more approachable, Euro-market interpretation of the style.
About the Brewery
Birrificio Angelo Poretti is one of Italy's oldest and most established industrial breweries, founded in 1877 in Valganna, in the Lombardy region near Varese. The brewery is now owned by Carlsberg Group and operates at significant commercial scale. Their lineup leans heavily on lager traditions — the name "9 Luppoli" references nine hops and sits at the more adventurous end of their range. They are widely distributed across Italy and are a fixture in Italian supermarkets and restaurants.
Food Pairings
The moderate bitterness and citrus hop character make this a workable match with grilled chicken, where the hop brightness cuts through the char without overwhelming lean meat. A margherita pizza pairs naturally because the acidity of tomato sauce mirrors the beer's citrus notes and the malt backbone handles the mozzarella fat. Fried calamari benefits from the bitterness acting as a palate cleanser between bites. Mild aged cheeses like a young Asiago let the hops do the talking without flavor competition.
Style Guide
American IPA is defined by assertive hopping — typically showcasing New World hops from the US, Australia, or New Zealand — which deliver citrus, pine, tropical fruit, or resinous character depending on variety selection. The style emerged from the US craft brewing scene in the 1980s and 90s, evolving the English IPA tradition by amplifying hop aroma and bitterness while building on a clean, neutral malt base. ABV generally runs 6–7.5%, though 5.9% sits at the lower, more sessionable end. It differs from its English ancestor by emphasizing dry-hop aroma over earthy bitterness, and from a Double IPA by keeping alcohol and malt body in check.