Beer Styles
IPA
Beer style guide
- IPA
- Beer
- Beer • IPA
- 5.5–7.5% ABV
- 40–70 IBU
- medium body
IPA is a hop-forward pale ale family defined by assertive hop aroma and bitterness, with styles ranging from classic American IPA to stronger, hazier, darker, or otherwise specialised variants.
Is this for me?
Choose this if…
- ✓You enjoy bold hop bitterness and a dry finish.
Skip if…
- ✗You prefer soft, malty or low-bitterness beers.
At a Glance
Nutrition values are style-level estimates. Actual values vary by producer and serving size. How we calculate this →
On this page
Taste profile
Sensory profile
- Style group: IPA
- ABV range: 5.5–7.5%
- IBU: 40–70
- medium body
- Body
- medium
- Sweetness
- low
- Citrus · high intensity — Editorially reviewed style-level flavour support derived from the existing style description and composition.
- Grapefruit · medium intensity — Editorially reviewed style-level flavour support derived from the existing style description and composition.
- Hoppy · high intensity — Editorially reviewed style-level flavour support derived from the existing style description and composition.
Based on structured style profile and canonical flavor relationships.
How it’s made
- Method
- Top-fermented pale ale with prominent hop additions; many modern versions use late hopping and dry hopping for aroma.
- Base materials
- pale malt, hops, water, ale yeast
- Fermentation
- Top fermentation
- Ageing
- Usually not aged; freshness is important for hop aroma.
When to serve
Alternatives to try
Reviewed style alternatives
- Double IPABoth beer styles; shared citrus, hoppy notes.
- Hazy IPABoth beer styles; medium body; shared citrus, hoppy notes.
- American Double / Imperial IPABoth ipa styles; medium body; shared citrus, hoppy notes.
- Black IPABoth ipa styles; medium body; shared citrus, hoppy notes.
- Cold IPABoth ipa styles; medium body; shared citrus, hoppy notes.
Style alternatives preserve drink-family context but can change sweetness, acidity, bitterness, body, aroma or alcohol range.
Frequently asked questions
- What is IPA?
- A hop-forward pale ale family defined by assertive hop aroma and bitterness, with styles ranging from classic American IPA to stronger, hazier, darker, or otherwise specialised variants.
- What does IPA taste like?
- IPA is often described as Citrus, Grapefruit, Hoppy. Flavour intensity varies by region, producer and brewery.
- What foods pair with IPA?
- IPA is versatile at the table. Lighter styles suit seafood and salads; maltier, fuller styles complement hearty stews and grilled meats.
- When should I enjoy IPA?
- 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 IPA?
- If you enjoy 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 IPA?
- Many breweries produce 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.
Sources & data
These sources support the exact style facts currently shown on this page; stale approvals are suppressed automatically when a value changes.
Last updated
Style information is approximate and can vary by producer, region and recipe.