BJCP 21B · IPA

White IPA

A cross between a Witbier and an IPA: pale and somewhat hazy, with wheat, fruity and spicy Belgian yeast, American hops and a dry, refreshing finish.

White IPA by the numbers

Alcohol (ABV): 5.5 – 7.0%on a scale of 2.0 to 14.0
Bitterness: 40 – 70 IBUon a scale of 0 to 100
Color: 5 – 8 SRM10–16 EBCon a scale of 1 to 40
Original gravity: 1.056 – 1.065on a scale of 1.026 to 1.130
Final gravity: 1.010 – 1.016on a scale of 0.990 to 1.040

From the palest to the darkest shade the style allows.

What White IPA is like

It combines the yeast and wheat of a Belgian Witbier with the hops and bitterness of an American IPA. It's fruity, spicy and refreshing, with a dry finish.

Appearance

Straw to light gold, with moderate haze. Dense white head with good retention.

Aroma

Moderate to high hops, often citrusy or stone fruit, alongside banana or fruity esters and spicy phenols from the Belgian yeast. Coriander or orange peel may come through.

Flavor

Moderate to high hop flavor and medium to high bitterness, with fruit and spice from the yeast and a soft wheat and bread background. The finish is dry and the bitterness lingers a bit.

Mouthfeel

Medium-light to medium body, medium-high to high carbonation and a smooth texture from the wheat.

Where White IPA comes from

It became popular in American craft brewing in the early 2010s as a mash-up of two trendy styles: Witbier and IPA.

Ingredients

Pale malt with a high percentage of malted or unmalted wheat, American hops and a witbier yeast. Coriander and bitter orange peel can be added, in moderation.

Brew it yourself

How to brew White IPA at home

Ferment with a witbier yeast around 19–21 °C (66–70 °F) and hop it like an IPA. Use rice hulls if you have a lot of raw wheat. If you add spices, keep them as an accent: the classic mistake is letting the coriander cover up the hops.

Food pairing

Goes well with salads, white fish or Thai food.

Glassware: tulip glass, it concentrates the aroma and holds the head.

Classic examples

Deschutes Chainbreaker White IPA

Frequently asked questions

How strong is White IPA?

Between 5.5% and 7.0% ABV, according to the BJCP 2021 Style Guidelines. That is a high strength.

How bitter is White IPA?

It has 40 to 70 IBUs, a high bitterness. For reference, a mass-market lager is around 10 IBUs.

What color is White IPA?

Gold to amber: 5 to 8 SRM (10 to 16 EBC).

What food pairs well with White IPA?

Goes well with salads, white fish or Thai food.

Which styles are similar?

If you like it, also try Witbier, American IPA and Belgian IPA.

If you like White IPA, try these

BJCP 24A