BJCP 21A · IPA
American IPA
A pale, hoppy ale with pronounced bitterness, a dry finish and American hop aroma: citrus, tropical fruit, pine or resin, over a restrained malt.
American IPA by the numbers
- Alcohol (ABV)
- 5.5 – 7.5%on a scale of 2.0 to 14.0
- Bitterness
- 40 – 70 IBUon a scale of 0 to 100
- Color
- 6 – 14 SRM12–28 EBCon a scale of 1 to 40
- Original gravity
- 1.056 – 1.070on a scale of 1.026 to 1.130
- Final gravity
- 1.008 – 1.014on a scale of 0.990 to 1.040
What American IPA is like
A pale, decidedly hoppy and bitter ale of moderately high strength. American hops carry the aroma and flavor, and the malt is there to support them, not to compete. It's clean and finishes dry, which makes it very drinkable for its strength.
Appearance
Gold to medium coppery amber, clear to slightly hazy. White to ivory head with good persistence.
Aroma
Medium to high hop intensity with notes of citrus, grapefruit, tropical fruit, pine, resin or stone fruit. Behind it, clean malt with some bread or soft caramel.
Flavor
Medium to very high hop flavor, with the same characteristics as the aroma, and medium-high to very high bitterness. Malt is low to medium and the finish is dry, with a lingering bitter aftertaste that doesn't turn harsh.
Mouthfeel
Medium-light to medium body, smooth texture and medium to high carbonation. A light alcohol warmth is possible, but never hot.
Where American IPA comes from
It's the American version of English IPA, developed by craft breweries in the 1980s and 1990s with American hops like Cascade. It became the most representative style of modern craft beer.
Ingredients
Pale ale or American pale malt with little or no caramel malt. American or New World hops such as Cascade, Centennial, Simcoe, Citra or Mosaic, a clean American ale yeast and water with some sulfate to accentuate the bitterness.
Brew it yourself
How to brew American IPA at home
Mash at 64-66 °C (147-151 °F) so it finishes dry and ferment at 18-20 °C (64-68 °F) with a Chico-type yeast. Dry hop for 3 to 5 days when fermentation is nearly done, and keep oxygen to an absolute minimum when racking and bottling, because it dulls the hops and darkens the beer. Drink it fresh and carbonate to 2.3-2.6 volumes.
Food pairing
Works with spicy food, tacos or curries, and with aged cheeses like cheddar.
Glassware: tulip glass, it concentrates the aroma and holds the head.
Classic examples
- Bell's Two Hearted Ale
- Russian River Blind Pig IPA
- Firestone Walker Union Jack
Frequently asked questions
How strong is American IPA?
Between 5.5% and 7.5% ABV, according to the BJCP 2021 Style Guidelines. That is a high strength.
How bitter is American IPA?
It has 40 to 70 IBUs, a high bitterness. For reference, a mass-market lager is around 10 IBUs.
What color is American IPA?
Gold to copper: 6 to 14 SRM (12 to 28 EBC).
What food pairs well with American IPA?
Works with spicy food, tacos or curries, and with aged cheeses like cheddar.
Which styles are similar?
If you like it, also try English IPA, American Pale Ale and Double IPA.
If you like American IPA, try these
Classification and statistics: official American IPA guidelines from the BJCP, 2021 edition. Original text by Hacer Cerveza Casera.