IPA

A hop-forward ale defined by assertive bitterness and expressive hop aroma supported by a restrained malt backbone. It is more bitter, more aromatic, and more structurally hop-driven than pale ale.

Defined by a shift from bitterness-driven profiles toward expressive citrus and fruit-forward hop aroma.

Also known as: IPA; India Pale Ale
Family: Bitter & Hoppy Ales - Classic pale ales and IPAs with firm, dry bitterness
Core Style - Part of the Expressive Ales, defined by a clearly dominant sensory driver such as hop intensity, yeast expression, strength, or acidity.
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ABV, IBU and colour

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

ABV: 6,3%
IBU: 16
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
Aroma – Malt:
Low Medium
Aroma – Hop:
High Very high
Aroma – Yeast:
Low
Aroma – Special:
None Medium
Sweetness:
Low
Sourness:
None Low
Bitterness:
High
Body:
Medium
Astringency:
Medium
Carbonation:
Medium High
Alcohol Strength:
Medium High
Finish Length:
Long
Oxidation:
None Low

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

Defined by elevated hop loading and structured bitterness, supported by sufficient attenuation to maintain clarity of hop expression. Aromatic, juicy, and hop-forward, with bitterness playing a supportive role.

Why IPA tastes like it does

These structural drivers explain its characteristic flavour balance.

  • Very high hop aroma intensity provides powerful bitterness and strong hop aromatic presence.
  • Late hopping reduces IBU but increases hop aroma.
  • Moderate fermentation expression with balanced ester and phenolic development.
  • Pale ale malt provides a clean, lightly biscuity base with moderate body and a gentle malt backbone.
  • High sulfate increases sharp, dry bitterness and reduces sweetness and fullness, creating a hop-forward profile.

Style details

  • Origin: International — Style without a single defined regional origin.
  • 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

Originating in Britain as a strongly hopped pale ale intended for extended stability, IPA evolved into a hop-dominant style where elevated bitterness and aroma define the structure.

How IPA compares to other beer styles

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

IPA vs West Coast IPA

  • clearer appearance
  • more astringency
  • longer finish
  • slightly more hop aroma

Compared to West Coast IPA, IPA shows noticeable structural differences. Visually, it appears clearer in appearance. In the aroma, it shows a more pronounced hop aroma. On the palate, it presents a longer finish.

IPA vs New England IPA

  • much deeper colour
  • much clearer appearance
  • much less yeast character
  • much higher bitterness
  • drier profile

In contrast to New England IPA, IPA presents a clearly different overall profile. Overall, the balance shifts toward a drier, more hop-driven profile. Visually, it appears darker in colour and clearer in appearance. In the aroma, it shows a cleaner fermentation profile.

Compare IPA with:

Compare with another style

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

Modelled variants of IPA

The following variant profiles are formally modelled expressions derived from this Core Style, each differing structurally in at least one primary sensory driver.

Best food pairings for IPA

These food pairings complement the dominant sensory traits of IPA.

  • Citrus-marinated meats
  • Tacos
  • Spicy Asian dishes

Service & Aging

Practical guidance for serving and handling IPA.

Serving notes

  • Serve fresh to preserve hop aroma intensity

Pouring technique

  • Pour to maximize aroma release
  • Clarity may range from clear to lightly hazy

Aging potential

  • Drink very fresh
  • Aroma-driven style fades quickly

Common faults

  • Muted aroma
  • Excessive bitterness masking hop fruit character

Commercial examples of IPA

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

  • Sierra Nevada Torpedo
  • Lagunitas IPA
  • Bell’s Two Hearted

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IPA – Major competition medalists (2025)

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

European Beer Star 2025

Session India Pale Ale

  • Gold – Leopoldina Session Ipa – (Brewine Leopoldina , Brazil)
  • Silver – Frisky – (vandeStreek bier , Netherlands)
  • Bronze – Punto – (MC77 Birrificio Artigianale , Italy)

India Pale Ale

  • Gold – Leopoldina Ipa – (Brewine Leopoldina , Brazil)
  • Silver – Deadhead IPA – (Destihl Brewery , United States)
  • Bronze – DR. SHULTZ – (50&50 , Italy)

Source: European Beer Star (official website)

Great American Beer Festival 2025

American-Style India Pale Ale

  • Gold – Built for Speed – (Grains of Wrath Brewing , Camas, Washington, United States)
  • Silver – Time's Arrow – (Our Mutual Friend Brewing , Denver, Colorado, United States)
  • Bronze – Breakside IPA – (Breakside Brewery & Taproom , Milwaukie, Oregon, United States)

Experimental India Pale Ale

  • Gold – Hazy Crush – (New York Beer Project - Beer Lodge , Orchard Park, New York, United States)
  • Silver – Pistol Peach IPA – (McMenamins Breweries , Portland, Oregon, United States)
  • Bronze – Pepper & Peaches – (Claremont Craft Ales , Claremont, California, United States)

Juicy or Hazy Imperial India Pale Ale

  • Gold – tracing the departed – (everywhere , Orange, California, United States)
  • Silver – King Fallen Flag – (Narrow Gauge Brewing Co. , Florissant, Missouri, United States)
  • Bronze – DDH The Other Brian – (Green Cheek Beer Co. - Costa Mesa , Costa Mesa, California, United States)

New Zealand India Pale Ale

  • Gold – Chepedelic – (ISM Brewing , Long Beach, California, United States)
  • Silver – Muka Laka Hiki – (Hop Dogma Brewing Co. , Half Moon Bay, California, United States)
  • Bronze – Perverse Inverse – (Ghost Town Brewing , Oakland, California, United States)

Session India Pale Ale

  • Gold – Oros – (Offset Bier Co. , Park City, Utah, United States)
  • Silver – Scenic Route – (Westbound & Down Brewing Co. - Westbound Mill , Lafayette, Colorado, United States)
  • Bronze – Trump Hands – (Cannonball Creek Brewing Co. , Golden, Colorado, United States)

Source: Great American Beer Festival (official website)

World Beer Cup 2025

Experimental India Pale Ale

  • Gold – Pepper & Peaches – (Claremont Craft Ales , United States)
  • Silver – Infinite Glow – (Highlander Beer - Salmon , United States)
  • Bronze – Rainbow Suspenders – (Seapine Brewing Co. , United States)

Session India Pale Ale

  • Gold – Micro Blaster – (Shred Beer Co. , United States)
  • Silver – Hefty Fee – (Docent Brewing , United States)
  • Bronze – Scenic Route – (Westbound & Down Brewing Co. , United States)

Source: World Beer Cup (official website)

Dutch Beer Challenge 2025

Session IPA

  • Gold – País Tropical – (Oedipus Brewing , Netherlands)
  • Silver – Calypso – (Brouwerij 't IJ , Netherlands)
  • Bronze – Vesting Session – (Stadsbrouwerij Vos , Netherlands)

Ipa

  • Gold – Craft Beer Cookout – (Uiltje Brewing Company BV , Netherlands)
  • Silver – Wispe IPA – (Wispe Brouwerij , Netherlands)
  • Bronze – Hooglander Behouden Vaart (10 jaar jubileum IPA) – (Hooglander Bier , Netherlands)
  • Bronze – Vuur & Vlam – (Brouwerij de Molen B.V. , Netherlands)

Source: Dutch Beer Challenge (official website)

Brussels Beer Challenge 2025

Session IPA

  • Gold – Session IPA – (Birrificio Bandiga , Italy)
  • Silver – Session Ipa – (De Lab Fermentazioni , Italy)
  • Bronze – Buckskin Session IPA – (Buckskin, King Car Group , Taiwan)

IPA Alcohol-Free/Low

  • Silver – Playground non alcoholic IPA – (vandeStreek Bier , Netherlands)

Source: Brussels Beer Challenge (official website)

Modelled variants recognised in major competitions (2025)

  • IPL (India Pale Lager)
    • European Beer Star 2025 — New-style Lager
    • Great American Beer Festival 2025 — Hoppy Lager
    • World Beer Cup 2025 — Hoppy Lager
    • Dutch Beer Challenge 2025 — Hoppy Lager
    • Brussels Beer Challenge 2025 — Hoppy Lager
  • New England IPA
    • European Beer Star 2025 — Hazy India Pale Ale
    • Great American Beer Festival 2025 — Juicy or Hazy India Pale Ale
    • Dutch Beer Challenge 2025 — Hazy IPA/NEIPA
    • Brussels Beer Challenge 2025 — Session New England IPA; New England IPA
  • Imperial IPA
    • European Beer Star 2025 — Imperial India Pale Ale
    • Great American Beer Festival 2025 — Imperial India Pale Ale
    • World Beer Cup 2025 — Imperial India Pale Ale; Juicy or Hazy Imperial India Pale Ale
    • Dutch Beer Challenge 2025 — Double/Imperial IPA
    • Brussels Beer Challenge 2025 — Double IPA
  • Black IPA
    • Great American Beer Festival 2025 — American Black Ale or American Stout
    • Dutch Beer Challenge 2025 — Dark/Black IPA
    • Brussels Beer Challenge 2025 — Dark/Black IPA
  • West Coast IPA
    • Great American Beer Festival 2025 — West Coast IPA
    • World Beer Cup 2025 — American-Style India Pale Ale; New Zealand-Style India Pale Ale; West Coast-Style India Pale
    • Brussels Beer Challenge 2025 — American IPA; Pacific IPA
  • English IPA
    • Brussels Beer Challenge 2025 — English IPA
  • White IPA
    • Brussels Beer Challenge 2025 — White IPA/Hoppy Weizen
  • Brut IPA
    • Brussels Beer Challenge 2025 — Brut Beer
  • Cold IPA
    • Brussels Beer Challenge 2025 — Cold IPA
  • Belgian IPA
    • Brussels Beer Challenge 2025 — Belgian style IPA
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