BJCP 21B · IPA
Red IPA
A reddish IPA with caramel, toffee and some dark fruit from the malt, intense American hops and a dry finish that never turns sweet.
Red 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 Red IPA is like
A copper to reddish IPA where the malt brings caramel, toffee and some dark fruit, but always behind intense hops and firm bitterness. The finish is dry.
Appearance
Reddish amber to dark copper or reddish brown, clear. Off-white to ivory head, persistent.
Aroma
Moderate to high hops, often citrusy, resinous or tropical, over caramel, toffee or lightly toasted malt that can add some dark fruit.
Flavor
Medium to high hop flavor and medium-high to high bitterness, with caramelized malt that balances without sweetening. The finish is off-dry to dry and the bitterness lingers.
Mouthfeel
Medium-light to medium body and medium carbonation. No cloying sweetness.
Where Red IPA comes from
It grew out of crossing the American Amber Ale with the IPA in American craft brewing during the first decade of the 2000s.
Ingredients
Pale malt with medium and dark caramel malts and sometimes a touch of roasted malt for the red color. American or New World hops and a clean American ale yeast.
Brew it yourself
How to brew Red IPA at home
Get the red color from a small amount of very dark malt or roasted barley instead of piling on caramel malt. Mash at 65–66 °C (149–151 °F), ferment at 18–20 °C (64–68 °F) and hop heavily late in the boil. The classic mistake is letting the caramel malt swallow the hops and leaving the beer sweet.
Food pairing
Pairs with barbecue ribs, pizza with cured meats or aged cheeses.
Glassware: tulip glass, it concentrates the aroma and holds the head.
Classic examples
- Odell Runoff Red IPA
- Green Flash Hop Head Red
Frequently asked questions
How strong is Red IPA?
Between 5.5% and 7.5% ABV, according to the BJCP 2021 Style Guidelines. That is a high strength.
How bitter is Red IPA?
It has 40 to 70 IBUs, a high bitterness. For reference, a mass-market lager is around 10 IBUs.
What color is Red IPA?
Copper to brown: 11 to 19 SRM (22 to 37 EBC).
What food pairs well with Red IPA?
Pairs with barbecue ribs, pizza with cured meats or aged cheeses.
Which styles are similar?
If you like it, also try American Amber Ale, American Strong Ale and Brown IPA.
If you like Red IPA, try these
Classification and statistics: official Red IPA guidelines from the BJCP, 2021 edition. Original text by Hacer Cerveza Casera.