Imperial IPA

A powerful, hop-forward ale with elevated alcohol, very high hop intensity, and a fuller mouthfeel, retaining classic citrus, pine, and resin character with extended bitterness. Compared with standard IPA, everything is amplified, especially hop load, alcohol warmth, and finish length.

Defined by elevated strength and intensified hopping, delivering bold hop character and noticeable alcohol warmth.

Also known as: Imperial IPA; Double IPA; DIPA
Family: Strong & Warming Beers - Strong ales like Tripel, Barleywine, and Imperial styles
Variant of IPA - Within the Expressive Ales, defined by a clearly dominant sensory driver such as hop intensity, yeast expression, strength, or acidity.
Variant influence: Elevated alcohol intensifies hop impact and body.
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ABV, IBU and colour

This section summarises the typical alcohol strength, bitterness level and colour range of Imperial IPA within the GBI model.

ABV: 7,7%
IBU: 57
Colour: 10,0 SRM / 19,7 EBC

Taste profile

The sensory profile below shows the typical intensity range of the 15 core flavour dimensions.

Colour:
Yellow Deep gold
Clarity:
Clear Slight haze
Aroma – Malt:
Low Medium
Aroma – Hop:
High
Aroma – Yeast:
Low
Aroma – Special:
None Low
Sweetness:
Low Medium
Sourness:
None Low
Bitterness:
High
Body:
Medium High
Astringency:
Medium High
Carbonation:
Medium High
Alcohol Strength:
High Very High
Finish Length:
Long Very Long
Oxidation:
None Low

Structurally defined by pronounced alcohol strength, pronounced hop presence and pronounced bitterness.

Built on elevated gravity and intensified hop loading, extending bitterness and alcohol integration within a full-bodied framework. Intense, bold, and warming, with saturated hop bitterness, high alcohol presence, and a long, lingering finish.

Why Imperial IPA tastes like it does

These structural drivers explain its characteristic flavour balance.

  • Pale ale malt provides a clean, lightly biscuity base with moderate body and a gentle malt backbone.
  • Increased ester/phenols.
  • Very high hop aroma intensity provides powerful bitterness and strong hop aromatic presence.
  • High sulfate increases sharp, dry bitterness and reduces sweetness and fullness, creating a hop-forward profile.
  • Hard water increases crispness, minerality, hop brightness, and perceived astringency while reducing fullness.

Style details

  • Origin: United States — Originating from American craft brewing.
  • Glassware: Tulip — Stemmed tulip glass that concentrates aroma and supports a stable head; ideal for aromatic ales and Belgian styles.
    Teku — Modern universal tasting glass designed for maximum aroma capture and sensory evaluation.
    Nonic Pint — British-style pint with outward bulge for grip and foam retention; common for ales and stouts.
  • Serving: Draft — Served on draft.
  • Conditioning: Keg Conditioned — Carbonated and served from keg systems.
  • Aging vessel: Stainless — Aged or matured in stainless steel.
  • Packaging: Can — Packaged in can.

History

Evolved as a stronger extension of West Coast IPA, developed to push hop intensity and alcohol strength beyond standard IPA levels.

Related styles

Other variants within the same style group as Imperial IPA.

How Imperial IPA compares to other beer styles

Comparing styles highlights structural differences in aroma, balance, and intensity across the 15 GBI sensory dimensions.

Imperial IPA vs IPA

  • stronger alcohol impression
  • more hazy appearance
  • sweeter profile
  • fuller body
  • more astringency

Set against IPA, Imperial IPA reveals a distinct stylistic contrast. Visually, it appears more hazy in appearance. On the palate, it presents a stronger alcohol impression and a fuller body.

Imperial IPA vs Barleywine

  • much paler colour
  • much less malt aroma
  • much more hop aroma
  • much drier profile
  • more astringency

In contrast to Barleywine, Imperial IPA presents a clearly different overall profile. The profile comes across as noticeably drier. Visually, it appears lighter in colour. In the aroma, it shows a more restrained malt presence and a more pronounced hop aroma.

Compare Imperial IPA with:

Compare with another style

Select another beer style to see how it compares to Imperial IPA.

Best food pairings for Imperial IPA

These food pairings complement the dominant sensory traits of Imperial IPA.

  • Rich grilled meats
  • Blue cheese
  • Spicy barbecue

Service & Aging

Practical guidance for serving and handling Imperial IPA.

Serving notes

  • Serve cool but not cold
  • Avoid prolonged warm storage to preserve hop character

Pouring technique

  • Pour carefully and allow to warm slightly to reveal hop complexity and alcohol warmth

Aging potential

  • Best fresh
  • Short-term aging (up to 1 year) possible in very strong examples

Common faults

  • Hot alcohol
  • Excessive bitterness
  • Oxidation
  • Heavy sweetness if poorly attenuated

Commercial examples of Imperial IPA

The following commercial examples illustrate widely recognised expressions of Imperial IPA in the market.

  • Russian River Pliny the Elder
  • Stone Ruination IPA
  • Firestone Walker Double Jack

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Imperial IPA – Competition results (2025)

Competition categories reflect the official classification used by each event and may include stylistically adjacent interpretations.

European Beer Star 2025

Imperial India Pale Ale

  • Gold – MOON JELLY DDH DOUBLE IPA – (Slowboat Brewery , China)
  • Silver – MONKEY’S FIST IMPERIAL IPA – (Slowboat Brewery , China)
  • Bronze – Spartan Squatch – (No-Li Brewhouse , United States)

Source: European Beer Star (official website)

Great American Beer Festival 2025

Imperial India Pale Ale

  • Gold – Dankish – (Moonraker Brewing Co. , Auburn, California, United States)
  • Silver – HopTomic – (Morgan Territory Brewing , Tracy, California, United States)
  • Bronze – Hop JuJu – (Fat Head's Brewery , Middleburg Heights, Ohio, United States)

Source: Great American Beer Festival (official website)

World Beer Cup 2025

Imperial India Pale Ale

  • Gold – Punchface Champion – (Grains of Wrath Brewing - Camas , United States)
  • Silver – Fall On In – (MadeWest Brewing Co. , United States)
  • Bronze – House of Fu! – (North Park Beer Co. , United States)

Juicy or Hazy Imperial India Pale Ale

  • Gold – Juice Master – (Shred Beer Co. , United States)
  • Silver – Contains No Juice – (Alvarado Street Brewery , United States)
  • Bronze – For 4 – (Brothership Brewing , United States)

Source: World Beer Cup (official website)

Dutch Beer Challenge 2025

Double/Imperial IPA

  • Silver – Backyard Brewing Co - Epicurious DDH DIPA 7.4% – (State Of Bliss Bv / Backyardbrewing.co , Netherlands)
  • Bronze – Dr. Raptor – (Uiltje Brewing Company BV , Netherlands)

Source: Dutch Beer Challenge (official website)

Brussels Beer Challenge 2025

Double IPA

  • Gold – Pacific Monster – (De Mortselarij , Belgium)
  • Silver – West Coast Dream – (Mingri Brewing , China)
  • Bronze – Hope Beer Brewers Edition DIPA – (Hope Beer Dublin , Ireland)
  • Bronze – Looking Down On You - Hazy DIPA – (Revision Brewing Company , United States)

Source: Brussels Beer Challenge (official website)

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