Meantime Anytime IPA: The Modern Standard
Since its introduction, the Meantime Anytime IPA has become the flagship IPA for the brewery, and the version most customers will encounter. Its 4.7% ABV places it squarely in the 'session IPA' category, meaning it is specifically brewed to be lower in alcohol than a traditional India Pale Ale, making it suitable for longer drinking sessions. This intentional approach allows drinkers to enjoy the beer's full hop flavor without the higher alcohol hit typically associated with the style. The brewing process uses a blend of Cascade, Centennial, Mosaic, and Bravo hops, which impart tropical notes of pineapple and mango, resulting in a refreshing and clean finish.
Brewing for Sessionability
Meantime's brewers specifically created the Anytime IPA to bridge the gap between a flavourful, hoppy ale and a more casual, lower-strength beer. This is achieved by carefully controlling the amount of fermentable sugars and the specific hop additions. Unlike the original IPAs of the past, which required a high ABV to survive long sea voyages, the modern session IPA is about accessibility and balance. The Anytime IPA's process showcases how modern craft brewing techniques can produce a beer with rich character while keeping the alcohol level moderate.
A History of Meantime IPAs
Before the Anytime IPA, Meantime produced other, stronger versions of its India Pale Ale, reflecting the evolution of the brewery and the craft beer market. Early iterations of their IPA, particularly the 'India Pale Ale' bottled in the past, were significantly stronger. These versions were a deliberate homage to the historical style, brewed with a higher ABV to mimic the preserving effects of alcohol and hops on the long voyage to British India. Some archival records show these older IPAs clocking in at around 7.4% or 7.5% ABV, a stark contrast to the modern 4.7% Anytime IPA. It is important to note that Asahi Group Holdings acquired Meantime in 2016, and some older products may have been discontinued or reformulated over time. The brewery in Greenwich was also closed in 2024, with production moved to the Fuller's site in Chiswick.
Factors that Influence IPA Alcohol Content
An IPA's alcohol content is not a single, fixed number but rather a result of several key decisions made during the brewing process. Here are some of the primary factors:
- The Mash Bill: The amount and type of malted grains used in the mash provide the fermentable sugars. More malt generally leads to more sugar for the yeast to consume, resulting in a higher ABV.
- Yeast Strain: Different yeast strains have varying levels of efficiency when converting sugar to alcohol. Some are more vigorous than others and can ferment a beer to a higher ABV.
- Fermentation Temperature: Fermenting at warmer temperatures, as is typical for ales, can result in more of the available sugars being converted to alcohol.
- Hops: While most hops do not contribute to ABV, the extra sugars often used to balance the bitterness in heavily hopped beers can lead to a higher final alcohol content. The practice of 'dry-hopping' can also influence flavor and aroma without impacting ABV as significantly.
Comparison Table: Meantime IPAs and Other Beer Styles
| Beer Style | Typical ABV Range | Meantime Example | Key Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session IPA | 3.5% - 5.0% | Meantime Anytime IPA (4.7%) | Lower alcohol, lighter body, hop-forward flavor. |
| Standard IPA | 5.5% - 7.5% | (Older) Meantime India Pale Ale (~7.5%) | Higher bitterness and fuller body than a session IPA. |
| American Pale Ale | 4.5% - 6.2% | Meantime London Pale Ale (4.3%) | Balanced malt and hop flavor, often less aggressive than an IPA. |
| Lager | 4.0% - 5.0% | Meantime London Lager (4.5%) | Crisp, clean taste, and a lower ABV than most IPAs. |
| Double IPA | 7.5% - 10.0%+ | N/A (Historically Stronger IPAs Exist) | Very high hop intensity, often with a higher ABV. |
Conclusion: Navigating Meantime's IPA Offerings
To understand how much alcohol is in the Meantime IPA, one must distinguish between the current, widely available Anytime IPA and the brewery's historic versions. The modern Anytime IPA is a sessionable, 4.7% ABV beer designed for easy-drinking enjoyment, with a focus on tropical hop flavors over intense bitterness and high alcohol. In contrast, the brewery's older, traditional IPAs carried a significantly higher ABV, reflecting the style's historical origins. Today's craft beer landscape offers a wide spectrum of IPAs, and Meantime's current offering is a perfect example of a session-style brew. When purchasing, always check the label for the specific ABV to ensure you get the strength you expect. For a deeper look at the brewery's history and product range, you can consult sources like the Meantime Brewing Company's website or beer directories [https://www.meantimebrewing.com/history].
How the Brewers Control ABV
Fermentation Control
- Temperature: A major factor in managing how efficiently yeast converts sugars.
- Yeast Strain: Different yeasts produce different alcohol percentages, influencing the final ABV.
- Time: The length of the fermentation period allows for more sugar conversion.
Malt and Sugar Management
- Malt Quantity: A key input, with more malt providing more food for the yeast.
- Adjuncts: Some brewers use other fermentable sugars to boost ABV or alter flavor.
- Mashing Process: The temperature and duration of the mash can control how many fermentable sugars are created.
Quality Assurance
- Testing: Regular testing of the wort and finished beer ensures the target ABV is met.
- Adjustments: Brewers can make adjustments to the process to control and fine-tune the final alcohol level.
Hop Influence (Indirect)
- Balancing Hops: Higher hop content requires more malt to balance, which often leads to a higher ABV.
- Sessionable Hops: The Anytime IPA uses specific hops to impart flavor without significantly increasing the ABV.
Product Design
- Target Market: The decision to brew a sessionable beer (like the Anytime IPA) dictates a lower ABV from the start.
- Packaging: Different batch sizes and packaging may influence the exact brewing method and final product details.
