Style: India Pale Ale
Strength: 6.5% (ABV)
IBUs: 66
Body: medium
Availability: Year-round, 24-12 oz bottles, 1/2 barrels

Food Pairings: Great with classic meat and potato dishes, tuna steaks, sharp cheeses and salty snacks.

Tasting Notes: Coppery-gold hue with a full floral hop aroma. Rich toasted malts with a profusion of tangy, citrusy hops that linger in a long satisfying finish.

Sacred Cow I.P.A. is a bold, refreshing, hoppy India Pale Ale with superb roundness and balance. This delicate balance of rich malts, tangy hops, and crisp carbonation makes our Sacred Cow uniquely and deliciously drinkable.

Style History: This style originated in 19th century colonial Britain. At the time, India was the biggest export market for British brewers. Only problem was that without refrigeration, thier ales were often spoiled by the time they reached their destination. Knowing that hops and alcohol are natural preservatives, brewers began brewing very well-hopped high-gravity pale ales which became known as Inida Pale Ales. The style was embraced early on by American craft brewers who make them with hops from the Pacific Northwest for that classic huge citrusy/floral nose and flavor.

Beer History:The Sacred Cow was Matt's first new recipe as a professional brewer. There weren't many hopheads in the midwest in 1995 so when Matt decided to brew a big bold bitter I.P.A. to sell at the brewpub, it was truely his sacred cow. Cask conditioned and served gently carbonated and at a warmer cellar temperature from a British beer engine, the I.P.A. was sure to be a beer with a limited appeal. In fact the first few times he brewed it, he only brewed a 1/2 batch. But we clearly underestimated Ann Arbor's beer drinking clientelle. The Sacred Cow I.P.A. quickly became our best-selling beer and retains the title to this day on tap at both of our pubs as well as in distribution.