The white stuff floating in your IPA beer is likely sediment that has settled out of the liquid. As a sommelier and brewer, I can explain this process to you in more detail.
When beer is brewed, it undergoes fermentation, where yeast consumes sugars and produces alcohol and carbon dioxide. During this process, yeast also produces other compounds, including proteins. These proteins, along with any remaining yeast cells, can sometimes remain suspended in the beer, giving it a cloudy appearance.
Over time, as the beer sits on a shelf or in a keg, these particles start to fall out of solution and settle at the bottom of the container. This is a natural process known as sedimentation. The older the beer, the more time these particles have had to settle, resulting in a thicker layer of sediment at the bottom.
In the case of an IPA, which is typically hop-forward and often dry-hopped, there can be additional particles present. Dry-hopping involves adding hops directly to the beer during fermentation or aging to enhance its hop aroma and flavor. The hop particles, along with the protein and yeast sediment, can contribute to the white stuff you see floating in your IPA.
It's important to note that this sediment is generally harmless and can be a sign of a well-made, unfiltered beer. In fact, some beer styles, like Belgian ales or Hefeweizens, intentionally retain some of this sediment to enhance flavor and mouthfeel.
To minimize the amount of sediment in your beer, it's recommended to pour it gently into a glass, leaving the last bit in the bottle or keg to avoid disturbing the settled particles. You can also store the beer upright for a while before consuming, allowing the sediment to settle even further.
In my personal experience, I've encountered various beers with sediment, including IPAs. I've observed that different breweries have different levels of sedimentation in their beers, depending on their brewing methods and filtration processes. Some craft breweries intentionally leave their beers unfiltered to preserve flavors and aromas, resulting in a more pronounced sedimentation.
The white stuff floating in your IPA beer is likely sediment composed of yeast, proteins, and possibly hop particles. It is a natural occurrence that happens as beer ages and can be a sign of a well-made, unfiltered beer. By pouring the beer gently and leaving the last bit in the bottle or keg, you can minimize the amount of sediment in your glass.