IPA is India Pale Ale.
Unless he is really desperate then it could be IsoPropyl Alcohol.
IPA = India Pale Ale. Brewed with an excessive amount of hops to help preserve it for the long boat trip from the colonies to India. It is an "American original" recipe.
Taste is quite clean and very bright. The "hoppy-ness" makes it both a good thirst quencher (after a dusty softball game!) and excellent with chicken and fish.