India Pale Ale (IPA): The World’s Most Popular Craft Beer Style
From its 19th-century English roots to today’s global craft dominance, IPA defines modern beer culture. Explore its history, variations, competition results, and worldwide popularity.
What Makes IPA Unique
India Pale Ale (IPA): The Craft Beer Icon
India Pale Ale (IPA) is the flagship style of the global craft beer movement. Known for its hop-forward character, bright aromas, and refreshing bitterness, IPA has evolved into countless variations — from hazy New England IPAs to bold Double IPAs. Today, IPA remains the most popular and influential beer style worldwide.
For the formal sensory definition and complete structural profile, see the official GBI Style Guide.
IPA Variations Around the World
West Coast IPA
Clear, hop-forward expression.
Bold citrus & pine bitterness.
5.5–7.5% ABV.
Often called American IPA.
New England / Hazy IPA
Juicy, haze-driven expression.
Soft bitterness, intense hop aroma.
Smooth, rounded mouthfeel.
Fruit-forward profile.
Double / Imperial IPA
High-strength hop expression.
7.5–10% ABV typical range.
Intense bitterness & aroma.
Firm malt backbone.
Session IPA
Lower-strength hop-forward ale.
Typically under 5% ABV, designed for drinkability.
Light body, easy-drinking.
Crisp, refreshing finish.
Specialty IPA
Structural reinterpretations.
Includes Black, White, Brut, Cold
Rye, Belgian, Wild, Milkshake.
Experimental expressions.
Explore the complete, formally modelled IPA variant profiles below.
The GBI Canon defines IPA as a Core Style. The following profiles are formally modelled variants derived from this base style.
History & Origins
India Pale Ale emerged in 19th-century England as a strongly hopped pale ale designed for export. Higher bitterness and elevated alcohol levels improved stability during long sea voyages to British colonies, including India. While the precise historical narrative is debated among historians, these export ales formed the structural foundation of what would later become IPA.
In the late 20th century, American craft brewers reinterpreted the style. They amplified hop aroma, intensified bitterness, and shifted the flavour profile toward citrus and pine-forward expressions. This transformation repositioned IPA from export beer to modern craft flagship.
By the 2010s, the style diversified further. New England IPA introduced a softer, haze-driven interpretation with saturated fruit aroma and reduced perceived bitterness. Today, IPA is not a single flavour profile but a structural family defined by hop dominance.
Style Specs
ABV
Most standard IPAs fall between 5–7.5% ABV.
Session variants sit lower;
Double / Imperial versions extend significantly higher.
IBU
Measured bitterness typically ranges from moderate to very high (≈20–100+ IBU).
Perceived bitterness varies by structure — haze-driven styles often taste softer than their numerical IBU suggests.
Color (EBC)
Most IPA variants range from pale gold to deep amber (≈8–20 EBC).
Dark reinterpretations such as Black IPA extend well beyond this range.
Yeast
Primarily top-fermenting ale strains.
Structural exceptions include Cold IPA (lager fermentation approach) and Belgian IPA (expressive yeast profile).
For the full structural sensory profile and exact model ranges, see the official GBI Style Guide.
Popularity & Trends
What the Trends Show
India Pale Ale (IPA) is the global benchmark of craft beer styles. Search interest surged in the mid-2010s during the hazy IPA boom and, while it has stabilized since, While global search interest has stabilized compared to the mid-2010s peak, IPA remains the structural reference point of modern craft beer.
Because IPA acts as the anchor style for modern craft beer, we use it here as a reference point. Instead of comparing it side-by-side with other styles on this page, you can explore those styles individually — each linked back to IPA for context. This way, IPA serves as the common thread running through our beer style explorations.
Perfect Pairings for IPA
IPA’s pronounced hop aroma, assertive bitterness, and dry finish make it structurally one of the most versatile beer styles at the table. Pairings vary by substyle, but here are some go-to matches:
Spicy Dishes
Curries, tacos, Thai food
Bitterness amplifies spice perception, while carbonation and a dry finish cleanse the palate between bites.
Grilled & Smoked Meats
Burgers, barbecue, sausages
Hop intensity cuts through fat, while moderate alcohol strength supports roasted and caramelized flavors.
Cheese & Dairy
Sharp cheddar, blue cheese, aged gouda
Bitterness balances fat and salt, while hop aroma adds contrast to aged and blue cheeses.
Fruity & Sweet Contrasts
Desserts with citrus, tropical fruit, or even carrot cake
Fruit-forward hop aromas echo citrus and tropical desserts, while bitterness prevents sweetness from becoming cloying.
Pairings depend on structural balance — haze-driven NEIPA suits aromatic, fruit-forward dishes, while high-strength Imperial IPA pairs best with charred, protein-rich foods.
Competitions & Recognition
IPA occupies one of the most structurally diverse category clusters within major international beer competitions. Major events such as the World Beer Cup and the European Beer Star include multiple IPA subcategories — from American IPA and Hazy IPA to Double and Specialty IPA. This is remarkable, since many traditional beer styles are represented by only a single category.
Unlike many traditional styles that appear as a single competition class, IPA is divided into multiple structurally distinct subcategories — reflecting clearly defined structural differences in bitterness, strength, yeast expression, and clarity.
The fact that IPA has so many dedicated subcategories highlights its diversity and influence in today’s beer culture. It also makes IPA categories some of the most competitive fields to enter, which is why a medal in any IPA substyle is considered especially prestigious among brewers.
Because of its competitive density and stylistic breadth, success in an IPA category is widely regarded as a benchmark of technical mastery and sensory precision.
Recent Competition Winners
This page presents a curated, style-mapped subset of publicly announced medal-winning beers linked to the Global Beer Index classification.
It does not reproduce or replace official competition archives. For complete and authoritative results, please consult the official competition websites.
Global Beer Index is an independent classification platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any competition organizer.
Top Countries
Top Breweries
| Competition | Year | Style | Category | Medal | Brewery | Beer | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| European Beer Star | 2025 | IPL (India Pale Lager) | NEW-STYLE LAGER | Gold | 50&50 | SLO MO | Italy |
| European Beer Star | 2025 | IPL (India Pale Lager) | NEW-STYLE LAGER | Silver | Birrificio Manerba | Luppululà | Italy |
| European Beer Star | 2025 | IPL (India Pale Lager) | NEW-STYLE LAGER | Bronze | GIUSTOSPIRITO | SUGAMAN | Italy |
| European Beer Star | 2025 | IPA | SESSION INDIA PALE ALE | Gold | Brewine Leopoldina | Leopoldina Session Ipa | Brazil |
| European Beer Star | 2025 | IPA | SESSION INDIA PALE ALE | Silver | vandeStreek bier | Frisky | Netherlands |
| European Beer Star | 2025 | IPA | SESSION INDIA PALE ALE | Bronze | MC77 Birrificio Artigianale | Punto | Italy |
| European Beer Star | 2025 | IPA | INDIA PALE ALE | Gold | Brewine Leopoldina | Leopoldina Ipa | Brazil |
| European Beer Star | 2025 | IPA | INDIA PALE ALE | Silver | Destihl Brewery | Deadhead IPA | United States |
| European Beer Star | 2025 | IPA | INDIA PALE ALE | Bronze | 50&50 | DR. SHULTZ | Italy |
| European Beer Star | 2025 | New England IPA | HAZY INDIA PALE ALE | Gold | Hodad's Brewing Company | Turtle Town | United States |
| European Beer Star | 2025 | New England IPA | HAZY INDIA PALE ALE | Silver | MOVA Brewing Company | MOVA Hazy IPA | Ukraine |
| European Beer Star | 2025 | New England IPA | HAZY INDIA PALE ALE | Bronze | MC77 Birrificio Artigianale | BowTie | Italy |
| European Beer Star | 2025 | Imperial IPA | IMPERIAL INDIA PALE ALE | Gold | Slowboat Brewery | MOON JELLY DDH DOUBLE IPA | China |
| European Beer Star | 2025 | Imperial IPA | IMPERIAL INDIA PALE ALE | Silver | Slowboat Brewery | MONKEY’S FIST IMPERIAL IPA | China |
| European Beer Star | 2025 | Imperial IPA | IMPERIAL INDIA PALE ALE | Bronze | No-Li Brewhouse | Spartan Squatch | United States |
| Great American Beer Festival | 2025 | Black IPA | American Black Ale or American Stout | Silver | Green Cheek Beer Co. - Costa Mesa | Doom Sludge | United States |
| Great American Beer Festival | 2025 | Black IPA | American Black Ale or American Stout | Bronze | Radiant Beer Co. | A Dark in the Light | United States |
| Great American Beer Festival | 2025 | IPA | American-Style India Pale Ale | Gold | Grains of Wrath Brewing | Built for Speed | United States |
| Great American Beer Festival | 2025 | IPA | American-Style India Pale Ale | Silver | Our Mutual Friend Brewing | Time's Arrow | United States |
| Great American Beer Festival | 2025 | IPA | American-Style India Pale Ale | Bronze | Breakside Brewery & Taproom | Breakside IPA | United States |
| Great American Beer Festival | 2025 | IPA | Experimental India Pale Ale | Gold | New York Beer Project - Beer Lodge | Hazy Crush | United States |
| Great American Beer Festival | 2025 | IPA | Experimental India Pale Ale | Silver | McMenamins Breweries | Pistol Peach IPA | United States |
| Great American Beer Festival | 2025 | IPA | Experimental India Pale Ale | Bronze | Claremont Craft Ales | Pepper & Peaches | United States |
| Great American Beer Festival | 2025 | IPL (India Pale Lager) | Hoppy Lager | Gold | Alma Mader Brewing | Coral Crush | United States |
| Great American Beer Festival | 2025 | IPL (India Pale Lager) | Hoppy Lager | Silver | Westbound & Down Brewing Co. - Westbound Mill | Infinity Pils | United States |
| Great American Beer Festival | 2025 | IPL (India Pale Lager) | Hoppy Lager | Bronze | MadeWest Brewing Co. | Sound Sail | United States |
| Great American Beer Festival | 2025 | Imperial IPA | Imperial India Pale Ale | Gold | Moonraker Brewing Co. | Dankish | United States |
| Great American Beer Festival | 2025 | Imperial IPA | Imperial India Pale Ale | Silver | Morgan Territory Brewing | HopTomic | United States |
| Great American Beer Festival | 2025 | Imperial IPA | Imperial India Pale Ale | Bronze | Fat Head's Brewery | Hop JuJu | United States |
| Great American Beer Festival | 2025 | IPA | Juicy or Hazy Imperial India Pale Ale | Gold | everywhere | tracing the departed | United States |
| Great American Beer Festival | 2025 | IPA | Juicy or Hazy Imperial India Pale Ale | Silver | Narrow Gauge Brewing Co. | King Fallen Flag | United States |
| Great American Beer Festival | 2025 | IPA | Juicy or Hazy Imperial India Pale Ale | Bronze | Green Cheek Beer Co. - Costa Mesa | DDH The Other Brian | United States |
| Great American Beer Festival | 2025 | New England IPA | Juicy or Hazy India Pale Ale | Gold | DESTIHL Brewery | TourBus® Double Dry Hopped Hazy IPA | United States |
| Great American Beer Festival | 2025 | New England IPA | Juicy or Hazy India Pale Ale | Silver | MadeWest Brewing Co. | MadeWest Hazy | United States |
| Great American Beer Festival | 2025 | New England IPA | Juicy or Hazy India Pale Ale | Bronze | Pollyanna Brewing Co. | Cloud Counter | United States |
| Great American Beer Festival | 2025 | IPA | New Zealand India Pale Ale | Gold | ISM Brewing | Chepedelic | United States |
| Great American Beer Festival | 2025 | IPA | New Zealand India Pale Ale | Silver | Hop Dogma Brewing Co. | Muka Laka Hiki | United States |
| Great American Beer Festival | 2025 | IPA | New Zealand India Pale Ale | Bronze | Ghost Town Brewing | Perverse Inverse | United States |
| Great American Beer Festival | 2025 | IPA | Session India Pale Ale | Gold | Offset Bier Co. | Oros | United States |
| Great American Beer Festival | 2025 | IPA | Session India Pale Ale | Silver | Westbound & Down Brewing Co. - Westbound Mill | Scenic Route | United States |
| Great American Beer Festival | 2025 | IPA | Session India Pale Ale | Bronze | Cannonball Creek Brewing Co. | Trump Hands | United States |
| Great American Beer Festival | 2025 | West Coast IPA | West Coast IPA | Gold | Westbound & Down Brewing Co. | How the West Was One: Mosaic | United States |
| Great American Beer Festival | 2025 | West Coast IPA | West Coast IPA | Silver | Los Molinos Beer Co. | Coast Molinos | United States |
| Great American Beer Festival | 2025 | West Coast IPA | West Coast IPA | Bronze | pFriem Family Brewers | Cosmic Guava West Coast IPA | United States |
| World Beer Cup | 2025 | West Coast IPA | American-Style India Pale Ale | Gold | Brewery X | Super Slap | United States |
| World Beer Cup | 2025 | West Coast IPA | American-Style India Pale Ale | Silver | Beachwood Brewing | Party Crusher | United States |
| World Beer Cup | 2025 | West Coast IPA | American-Style India Pale Ale | Bronze | Breakside Brewery & Taproom | Breakside IPA | United States |
| World Beer Cup | 2025 | IPA | Experimental India Pale Ale | Gold | Claremont Craft Ales | Pepper & Peaches | United States |
| World Beer Cup | 2025 | IPA | Experimental India Pale Ale | Silver | Highlander Beer - Salmon | Infinite Glow | United States |
| World Beer Cup | 2025 | IPA | Experimental India Pale Ale | Bronze | Seapine Brewing Co. | Rainbow Suspenders | United States |
| World Beer Cup | 2025 | IPL (India Pale Lager) | Hoppy Lager | Gold | pFriem Family Brewers | Cold IPA | United States |
| World Beer Cup | 2025 | IPL (India Pale Lager) | Hoppy Lager | Silver | Unsung Brewing Co. | Clawburst | United States |
| World Beer Cup | 2025 | IPL (India Pale Lager) | Hoppy Lager | Bronze | Far Field Beer Co. | Krispi Kiwi | United States |
| World Beer Cup | 2025 | Imperial IPA | Imperial India Pale Ale | Gold | Grains of Wrath Brewing - Camas | Punchface Champion | United States |
| World Beer Cup | 2025 | Imperial IPA | Imperial India Pale Ale | Silver | MadeWest Brewing Co. | Fall On In | United States |
| World Beer Cup | 2025 | Imperial IPA | Imperial India Pale Ale | Bronze | North Park Beer Co. | House of Fu! | United States |
| World Beer Cup | 2025 | Imperial IPA | Juicy or Hazy Imperial India Pale Ale | Gold | Shred Beer Co. | Juice Master | United States |
| World Beer Cup | 2025 | Imperial IPA | Juicy or Hazy Imperial India Pale Ale | Silver | Alvarado Street Brewery | Contains No Juice | United States |
| World Beer Cup | 2025 | Imperial IPA | Juicy or Hazy Imperial India Pale Ale | Bronze | Brothership Brewing | For 4 | United States |
| World Beer Cup | 2025 | West Coast IPA | New Zealand-Style India Pale Ale | Gold | Ghost Town Brewing | Perverse Inverse | United States |
| World Beer Cup | 2025 | West Coast IPA | New Zealand-Style India Pale Ale | Silver | Formula Brewing | Loyal to the Soil | United States |
| World Beer Cup | 2025 | West Coast IPA | New Zealand-Style India Pale Ale | Bronze | TapRoom Beer Co. | Modern Love | United States |
| World Beer Cup | 2025 | IPA | Session India Pale Ale | Gold | Shred Beer Co. | Micro Blaster | United States |
| World Beer Cup | 2025 | IPA | Session India Pale Ale | Silver | Docent Brewing | Hefty Fee | United States |
| World Beer Cup | 2025 | IPA | Session India Pale Ale | Bronze | Westbound & Down Brewing Co. | Scenic Route | United States |
| World Beer Cup | 2025 | West Coast IPA | West Coast-Style India Pale | Gold | Pinthouse Brewing | Mosaic Takedown | United States |
| World Beer Cup | 2025 | West Coast IPA | West Coast-Style India Pale | Silver | Ghost Town Brewing | Chasmic Absorption Through Whirlpools of Disarray | United States |
| World Beer Cup | 2025 | West Coast IPA | West Coast-Style India Pale | Bronze | Wayward Lane Brewing | Terraform | United States |
| Dutch Beer Challenge | 2025 | IPA | Session IPA | Gold | Oedipus Brewing | País Tropical | Netherlands |
| Dutch Beer Challenge | 2025 | Black IPA | Dark/Black IPA | Gold | Bierbrouwerij Wentersch BV | Zwarte Magie | Netherlands |
| Dutch Beer Challenge | 2025 | IPL (India Pale Lager) | Hoppy Lager | Gold | Uiltje Brewing Company BV | What's Up, Dude? | Netherlands |
| Dutch Beer Challenge | 2025 | IPA | IPA | Gold | Uiltje Brewing Company BV | Craft Beer Cookout | Netherlands |
| Dutch Beer Challenge | 2025 | New England IPA | Hazy IPA/NEIPA | Gold | Pivo Brouwerij | Haver Safari | Netherlands |
| Dutch Beer Challenge | 2025 | IPA | Session IPA | Silver | Brouwerij 't IJ | Calypso | Netherlands |
| Dutch Beer Challenge | 2025 | Black IPA | Dark/Black IPA | Silver | Uiltje Brewing Company BV | Black in Time | Netherlands |
| Dutch Beer Challenge | 2025 | New England IPA | Hazy IPA/NEIPA | Silver | Uiltje Brewing Company BV | Juicy Lucy | Netherlands |
| Dutch Beer Challenge | 2025 | IPL (India Pale Lager) | Hoppy Lager | Silver | De Hoppenaar | DDH India Pale Lager V2 | Netherlands |
| Dutch Beer Challenge | 2025 | Imperial IPA | Double/Imperial IPA | Silver | State Of Bliss Bv / Backyardbrewing.co | Backyard Brewing Co - Epicurious DDH DIPA 7.4% | Netherlands |
| Dutch Beer Challenge | 2025 | IPA | IPA | Silver | Wispe Brouwerij | Wispe IPA | Netherlands |
| Dutch Beer Challenge | 2025 | Imperial IPA | Double/Imperial IPA | Bronze | Uiltje Brewing Company BV | Dr. Raptor | Netherlands |
| Dutch Beer Challenge | 2025 | IPA | Session IPA | Bronze | Stadsbrouwerij Vos | Vesting Session | Netherlands |
| Dutch Beer Challenge | 2025 | Black IPA | Dark/Black IPA | Bronze | Amsterdamse Bierbrouwerij Homeland BV | Black Pearl | Netherlands |
| Dutch Beer Challenge | 2025 | IPA | IPA | Bronze | Hooglander Bier | Hooglander Behouden Vaart (10 jaar jubileum IPA) | Netherlands |
| Dutch Beer Challenge | 2025 | IPA | IPA | Bronze | Brouwerij de Molen B.V. | Vuur & Vlam | Netherlands |
| Dutch Beer Challenge | 2025 | New England IPA | Hazy IPA/NEIPA | Bronze | Brouwerij 't IJ | NIJPA | Netherlands |
| Brussels Beer Challenge | 2025 | English IPA | English IPA | Gold | Firestone Walker Brewing Co. | Union Jack | United States |
| Brussels Beer Challenge | 2025 | White IPA | White IPA/Hoppy Weizen | Gold | Brasserie du Bocq | Blanche de Namur IPA | Belgium |
| Brussels Beer Challenge | 2025 | Black IPA | Dark/Black IPA | Gold | Uiltje Brewing Company BV | #Roastme | Netherlands |
| Brussels Beer Challenge | 2025 | Brut IPA | Brut Beer | Gold | Alken-Maes | Affligem VI BEL Brut | Belgium |
| Brussels Beer Challenge | 2025 | Cold IPA | Cold IPA | Gold | Ventitre Srls | Black Out #5 - Cold IPA | Italy |
| Brussels Beer Challenge | 2025 | West Coast IPA | American IPA | Gold | Birrificio Sabino di Marco Colafigli | Feed Your Mind | Italy |
| Brussels Beer Challenge | 2025 | New England IPA | Session New England IPA | Gold | vandeStreek Bier | Frisky | Netherlands |
| Brussels Beer Challenge | 2025 | Belgian IPA | Belgian style IPA | Gold | Brouwerij L. Huyghe NV | La Guillotine | Belgium |
| Brussels Beer Challenge | 2025 | Imperial IPA | Double IPA | Gold | De Mortselarij | Pacific Monster | Belgium |
| Brussels Beer Challenge | 2025 | West Coast IPA | Pacific IPA | Gold | No.18 Brewery | Retro Futrurism NZ IPA | China |
| Brussels Beer Challenge | 2025 | New England IPA | New England IPA | Gold | Beijing Rushi Trading Co.,Ltd. | Rushi New England IPA | China |
| Brussels Beer Challenge | 2025 | IPA | Session IPA | Gold | Birrificio Bandiga | Session IPA | Italy |
| Brussels Beer Challenge | 2025 | IPL (India Pale Lager) | Hoppy Lager | Gold | CREW Republic Brewery GmbH | Trooper - Progressive Lager | Germany |
| Brussels Beer Challenge | 2025 | IPL (India Pale Lager) | Hoppy Lager | Silver | Birrificio La Piazza | American Jasper | Italy |
| Brussels Beer Challenge | 2025 | English IPA | English IPA | Silver | Brasserie Castelain | CH'TI Signature IPA | France |
| Brussels Beer Challenge | 2025 | New England IPA | New England IPA | Silver | Whitefrontier | Copenhagen's calling | Switzerland |
| Brussels Beer Challenge | 2025 | New England IPA | Session New England IPA | Silver | Chengdu Fengshou Craft Beer Company, Ltd | Daobrew Oriental Mystery -Tuina TDH Hazy IPA | China |
| Brussels Beer Challenge | 2025 | Cold IPA | Cold IPA | Silver | JH Brewing | DDH Cold IPA | South Korea |
| Brussels Beer Challenge | 2025 | White IPA | White IPA/Hoppy Weizen | Silver | BarthHaas GmbH & Co. KG | Dolce Secret | Germany |
| Brussels Beer Challenge | 2025 | IPL (India Pale Lager) | Hoppy Lager | Silver | Birrificio Legnone | Jack IPA | Italy |
| Brussels Beer Challenge | 2025 | IPA | IPA Alcohol-Free/Low | Silver | vandeStreek Bier | Playground non alcoholic IPA | Netherlands |
| Brussels Beer Challenge | 2025 | West Coast IPA | American IPA | Silver | Postwave Brewing (zhejiang) Co.ltd. | Postwave IPA | China |
| Brussels Beer Challenge | 2025 | Belgian IPA | Belgian style IPA | Silver | Rochehaut Attractions SA | Rochehaut IPA | Belgium |
| Brussels Beer Challenge | 2025 | West Coast IPA | Pacific IPA | Silver | Night Shift Brewing | Santilli | United States |
| Brussels Beer Challenge | 2025 | IPA | Session IPA | Silver | De Lab Fermentazioni | Session Ipa | Italy |
| Brussels Beer Challenge | 2025 | Brut IPA | Brut Beer | Silver | De Goede en De Stoute | Vuurzee 2024 Cuvée de Prestige | Netherlands |
| Brussels Beer Challenge | 2025 | Imperial IPA | Double IPA | Silver | Mingri Brewing | West Coast Dream | China |
| Brussels Beer Challenge | 2025 | IPL (India Pale Lager) | Hoppy Lager | Bronze | Uiltje Brewing Company BV | Balcony Bonfire At Your BnB | Netherlands |
| Brussels Beer Challenge | 2025 | Brut IPA | Brut Beer | Bronze | Brouwerij de Snor | Brute Snor | Netherlands |
| Brussels Beer Challenge | 2025 | IPA | Session IPA | Bronze | Buckskin, King Car Group | Buckskin Session IPA | Taiwan |
| Brussels Beer Challenge | 2025 | English IPA | English IPA | Bronze | Circus Brouwerij | Circus Fantastic IPA | Belgium |
| Brussels Beer Challenge | 2025 | Belgian IPA | Belgian style IPA | Bronze | Vreta Kloster Bryggeri | Fader Rödskäggs Ipa | Sweden |
| Brussels Beer Challenge | 2025 | New England IPA | Session New England IPA | Bronze | BrewDog | Hazy Jane | United Kingdom |
| Brussels Beer Challenge | 2025 | Imperial IPA | Double IPA | Bronze | Hope Beer Dublin | Hope Beer Brewers Edition DIPA | Ireland |
| Brussels Beer Challenge | 2025 | Belgian IPA | Belgian style IPA | Bronze | Brouwerij The Musketeers | Jack's Precious IPA | Belgium |
| Brussels Beer Challenge | 2025 | White IPA | White IPA/Hoppy Weizen | Bronze | Brasserie Goudale | La Triple Secret des Moines Grand cru | France |
| Brussels Beer Challenge | 2025 | Imperial IPA | Double IPA | Bronze | Revision Brewing Company | Looking Down On You - Hazy DIPA | United States |
| Brussels Beer Challenge | 2025 | West Coast IPA | American IPA | Bronze | Brauerei Gebr. Maisel GmbH & Co. KG | Maisel & Friends West Coast IPA | Germany |
| Brussels Beer Challenge | 2025 | West Coast IPA | American IPA | Bronze | Uiltje Brewing Company BV | Say Hello To My Little Friend | Netherlands |
| Brussels Beer Challenge | 2025 | New England IPA | New England IPA | Bronze | Wren House Brewing | Spellbinder | United States |
| Brussels Beer Challenge | 2025 | West Coast IPA | Pacific IPA | Bronze | Pfriem Family Brewers | West Coast IPA | United States |
| Brussels Beer Challenge | 2025 | West Coast IPA | Pacific IPA | Bronze | 28 Toccalmatto srls | Zona Cesarini | Italy |
Brewing & Ingredients Basics
Why does one IPA taste crisp and bitter while another is soft and juicy? It comes down to how brewers use water, malt, hops, yeast, and process. These choices define the substyles drinkers know today.
🌾 Malt
The body & backbone
- Pale malt = neutral base
- Oats & wheat → haze, silky body
- Dark malts → Black IPA roast
Sets color, sweetness, and mouthfeel.
🌿 Hops
The star of the show
- Classic: Cascade, Centennial, Simcoe → pine & citrus
- Modern: Citra, Mosaic, Galaxy → tropical & fruity
- Timing: early = bitterness, dry-hop = aroma
Defines flavor & aroma identity.
🧪 Yeast
Clean vs. juicy
- West Coast → clean strains (US-05, WLP001) → crisp & dry
- Hazy → English strains (London Ale III, Verdant) → fruity & soft
- Cold IPA → lager yeast → extra dry & bright
Shifts balance between crisp or juicy.
⚙️ Process
Clarity & finish
- West Coast → clear, sharp bitterness
- Hazy → proteins & hops left in → soft haze
- Imperial → extra boil/sugar → high ABV, dry body
Turns same ingredients into clear & snappy or hazy & pillowy.
For readers interested in brewing their own IPA, external recipe libraries such as Brewer’s Friend and Craft Beer & Brewing provide a wide range of homebrew recipes. These links are provided for informational purposes only — Global Beer Index is not affiliated with these websites.
Fun Facts
Origins of IPA
IPAs trace their roots back to 18th-century England. Brewers added extra hops and made the beer stronger so it could survive the long sea voyage to British colonies in India. Hops act as a natural preservative, while the higher alcohol content protected the beer from spoilage in the hot climate. Although the style nearly faded away in England, American craft brewers revived it in the late 20th century — and turned it into the flagship style of the modern craft beer revolution.
The Hazy Craze
The New England IPA (often called NEIPA or Hazy IPA) was born in Vermont in the early 2000s, with the Alchemist’s Heady Topper as a pioneer. Unlike traditional IPAs that emphasize bitterness, these beers are intentionally cloudy and juicy, with smooth mouthfeel and tropical fruit flavors from late hopping and dry hopping. Within just two decades, the hazy IPA went from niche to one of the most dominant IPA substyles worldwide.
Hop Explosion
There are hundreds of hop varieties grown around the world, each with unique aromas. While traditional British IPAs used earthy hops like East Kent Goldings or Fuggles, modern IPAs rely heavily on American “new world” hops such as Citra, Mosaic, and Simcoe — prized for their citrus, tropical fruit, and pine notes. Today, some IPAs even showcase single-hop recipes so drinkers can fully experience the character of one variety.
Stronger Than Wine
Not all IPAs are sessionable! The Imperial or Double IPA pushes the boundaries with alcohol levels often above 8–9%, and in extreme cases over 12%. That makes them stronger than many wines. These beers typically deliver an intense hop character, supported by a higher malt backbone to balance the alcohol and bitterness. They are a bold expression of what hops can do — not for the faint of heart.
Black but Pale?
Despite being called “pale ale,” IPA has produced a surprising outlier: the Black IPA (sometimes called Cascadian Dark Ale). These beers look dark brown to almost black, but taste nothing like stouts or porters. The roasted malts provide color and a hint of chocolate or coffee, yet the dominant flavor remains citrusy and piney hops. This playful contradiction is one reason IPA continues to fascinate brewers and drinkers alike.
Explore Top-Rated IPAs
Explore how IPA sub-styles are rated by the global beer community. Choose a platform and sub-style. For Untappd, you can optionally filter by country
Disclaimer: GlobalBeerIndex is not affiliated with Untappd or BeerAdvocate. Links are provided for convenience and reference.
Sources & Methodology
This page combines publicly available competition results and the GlobalBeerIndex classification framework to present a structured overview of IPA as a global beer category.
Competition results referenced on this page are drawn from publicly available information published by major international beer awards, including the World Beer Cup, the European Beer Star, the Dutch Beer Challenge, the Brussels Beer Challenge, and the Australian International Beer Awards. Category names may vary across competitions; for clarity and consistency, terminology is harmonized where appropriate, for example aligning “New England IPA” with “Hazy IPA.”
Structural interpretation and substyle differentiation follow the GlobalBeerIndex Canon & Classification Methodology. This framework distinguishes between Core Styles and formally modelled Variant Profiles based on measurable sensory drivers rather than traditional taxonomy alone.
All competition data shown is curated to focus on IPA-related categories. While care is taken to ensure accuracy, the information presented is provided for informational purposes only and may not represent complete or official competition records.
GlobalBeerIndex is not affiliated with any of the competitions or organizations referenced on this page.
The GlobalBeerIndex Canon is an independent methodological framework designed to provide structural clarity across modern beer styles through measurable sensory differentiation.