Beer Styles
American Double / Imperial IPA
Beer style guide
- IPA
- Ale
- Ale • IPA
- 3–14% ABV
- medium body
- medium-high bitterness
Is this for me?
Choose this if…
- ✓You want a stronger beer (around 3–14% ABV).
Skip if…
- ✗You prefer session-strength or lower-alcohol beer.
At a Glance
Nutrition values are style-level estimates. Actual values vary by producer and serving size. How we calculate this →
On this page
What is American Double / Imperial IPA?
Taste profile
Sensory profile
- Style group: IPA
- ABV range: 3–14%
- medium body
- Body
- medium
- Sweetness
- medium
- Acidity
- low
- Citrus · medium intensity — American IPA styles commonly show citrus hop character.
- Hoppy · high intensity — Double or Imperial IPA is strongly hop-forward.
- Piney · medium intensity — American IPA styles often show pine or resin notes.
- Bitter · high intensity — Double or Imperial IPA commonly has strong bitterness.
Based on structured style profile and canonical flavor relationships.
How it’s made
- Method
- High-gravity top-fermented IPA with increased malt base, heavier hopping, dry hopping and higher alcohol.
- Base materials
- pale malt, specialty malt, large hop additions, ale yeast
- Fermentation
- Top fermentation
- Ageing
- Usually not aged; drink fresh for hop character.
Food pairings
When to serve
- Hoppy beer fans
- Best with Wings
- Best with Pizza
- Best with BBQ
- Citrus
- Hoppy
Dietary
How American Double / Imperial IPA fits common dietary preferences (general guidance — always check the specific producer).
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- Not Gluten-Free
- Not Keto
- Not Low-Carb
Also known as
Alternatives to try
Reviewed style alternatives
- IPA (India Pale Ale)Both ale styles; similar sweetness (medium); medium body.
- Black IPABoth ale styles; similar sweetness (medium); medium body.
- Cold IPABoth ale styles; similar sweetness (medium); medium body.
- Specialty IPA (e.g. Milkshake IPA, Brut IPA, New England IPA)Both ale styles; similar sweetness (medium); medium body.
- Session IPAsBoth ipa styles; similar sweetness (medium); medium body.
Style alternatives preserve drink-family context but can change sweetness, acidity, bitterness, body, aroma or alcohol range.
About this drink
American Double or Imperial IPA grew from the craft-beer push toward bigger hop aroma, bitterness and strength. Its history matters because it signals intensity: a drinker choosing it is usually looking for more impact than a standard pale ale or IPA.
How to compare
How to compare American Double / Imperial IPA
Compare this style against other beers by bitterness first, then body and malt depth. If it feels too firm, look for softer hop profiles or more malt balance.
When to choose it
When to choose American Double / Imperial IPA
Choose American Double / Imperial IPA when its balance of body, bitterness, malt and hop character fits the food or mood. It has 7 structured pairing matches to help narrow the choice.
Skip if
Skip American Double / Imperial IPA if...
Skip American Double / Imperial IPA if you dislike bitterness or want a very soft beer. This style is better when hop bite or firm structure is part of the appeal.
Frequently asked questions
- What is American Double / Imperial IPA?
- A beer style that is a stronger version of the American IPA, with a higher alcohol content and more intense hop flavor and aroma.
- What does American Double / Imperial IPA taste like?
- American Double / Imperial IPA is often described as Citrus, Hoppy, Piney, Bitter. Flavour intensity varies by region, producer and brewery.
- What foods pair with American Double / Imperial IPA?
- American Double / Imperial IPA pairs well with Wings, Pizza, BBQ, Burgers. Food pairing suggestions are based on complementary flavour profiles.
- When should I enjoy American Double / Imperial IPA?
- American Double / Imperial IPA suits casual social occasions, food pairings and sessions where you want a flavourful but approachable beer. The style profile makes it versatile across a range of settings.
- What beers are similar to American Double / Imperial IPA?
- If you enjoy American Double / Imperial IPA, explore other beer styles with a similar bitterness and body rating using the sensory bars as a guide. Styles with a matching profile score will feel closest in character.
- What are some popular examples of American Double / Imperial IPA?
- Many breweries produce American Double / Imperial IPA across different regions. Seek out local craft examples for fresh flavour, or look for well-reviewed commercial options widely available in bottle shops and pubs.
Last updated
Style information is approximate and can vary by producer, region and recipe.