BJCP 21B · IPA
Brown IPA
A brown IPA with caramel, toffee and some chocolate from the malt, assertive American hops and a dry finish. Hoppier and more bitter than an American Brown Ale.
Brown 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
- 11 – 19 SRM22–37 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 – 1.016on a scale of 0.990 to 1.040
What Brown IPA is like
It's an IPA with the color and malt of an American Brown Ale: caramel, toffee and a little chocolate, but with the hops and bitterness of an IPA and a dry finish.
Appearance
Dark amber to brown, usually clear. Off-white to tan head, persistent.
Aroma
Moderate to high hops with citrusy, resinous or fruity notes, over caramel, toffee, nutty or light chocolate malt.
Flavor
Medium to high hop flavor and medium-high to high bitterness. The brown malt adds caramel, toffee and a touch of chocolate without too much sweetness, and the finish is off-dry to dry.
Mouthfeel
Medium-light to medium body and medium carbonation.
Where Brown IPA comes from
It came from crossing the American Brown Ale with the IPA in American craft brewing; Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale is one of the first well-known examples.
Ingredients
Pale malt with caramel malts and a little chocolate or brown malt for color and toffee. American hops and a clean American ale yeast.
Brew it yourself
How to brew Brown IPA at home
Go easy on the caramel malts so it doesn't turn out sweet and heavy, and mash around 65–66 °C (149–151 °F). Ferment at 18–20 °C (64–68 °F) and add late hops and dry hops as you would in an IPA. If the malt buries the hops, it's no longer a Brown IPA but a hoppy brown ale.
Food pairing
Goes with burgers, roast duck or semi-aged cheeses.
Glassware: tulip glass, it concentrates the aroma and holds the head.
Classic examples
- Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale
Frequently asked questions
How strong is Brown IPA?
Between 5.5% and 7.5% ABV, according to the BJCP 2021 Style Guidelines. That is a high strength.
How bitter is Brown IPA?
It has 40 to 70 IBUs, a high bitterness. For reference, a mass-market lager is around 10 IBUs.
What color is Brown IPA?
Copper to brown: 11 to 19 SRM (22 to 37 EBC).
What food pairs well with Brown IPA?
Goes with burgers, roast duck or semi-aged cheeses.
Which styles are similar?
If you like it, also try American Brown Ale, Red IPA and American IPA.
If you like Brown IPA, try these
Classification and statistics: official Brown IPA guidelines from the BJCP, 2021 edition. Original text by Hacer Cerveza Casera.