Appendix B · Local Styles (Appendix B)
IPA Argenta
An Argentine IPA with wheat and local hops such as Argentine Cascade or Mapuche: citrusy, bitter and lighter than an American IPA.
IPA Argenta by the numbers
- Alcohol (ABV)
- 5.0 – 6.5%on a scale of 2.0 to 14.0
- Bitterness
- 35 – 60 IBUon a scale of 0 to 100
- Color
- 6 – 15 SRM12–30 EBCon a scale of 1 to 40
- Original gravity
- 1.055 – 1.065on a scale of 1.026 to 1.130
- Final gravity
- 1.008 – 1.015on a scale of 0.990 to 1.040
What IPA Argenta is like
A well-hopped, refreshing IPA with some wheat that lightens the body and Argentine hops with a citrusy profile. It's lighter on malt and a bit easier to drink than an American IPA, with a dry finish.
Appearance
Gold to light amber, clear to slightly hazy from the wheat. White head with good retention.
Aroma
Moderate to high hops with citrus (grapefruit, tangerine) and herbal or resinous notes. Soft grainy malt and light fruit.
Flavor
Citrusy hops and medium to high bitterness over soft malt, with the wheat adding a bready touch. Dry finish, with bitterness that lingers but isn't harsh.
Mouthfeel
Medium-light to medium body, medium carbonation.
Where IPA Argenta comes from
It developed in Argentina in the first decades of the 21st century, when craft brewers adapted the IPA to the hops grown in Patagonia, especially around El Bolsón. The BJCP includes it in Appendix B.
Ingredients
Pale or Pilsner malt with some malted wheat and a little caramel malt. Argentine hops such as Cascade or Mapuche. Clean ale yeast.
Brew it yourself
How to brew IPA Argenta at home
Ferment with a clean ale yeast at 18-20 °C (64-68 °F) and concentrate the hops in the last minutes of the boil and in the dry hop. Use the wheat to lighten the body, not to add haze. The classic mistake is using too much caramel malt so it ends up tasting like a malty American IPA.
Food pairing
Argentine asado, empanadas or aged cheeses.
Glassware: pilsner glass, tall and slender, to show off the color and the bubbles.
Frequently asked questions
How strong is IPA Argenta?
Between 5.0% and 6.5% ABV, according to the BJCP 2021 Style Guidelines. That is a moderate strength.
How bitter is IPA Argenta?
It has 35 to 60 IBUs, a high bitterness. For reference, a mass-market lager is around 10 IBUs.
What color is IPA Argenta?
Gold to light brown: 6 to 15 SRM (12 to 30 EBC).
What food pairs well with IPA Argenta?
Argentine asado, empanadas or aged cheeses.
Which styles are similar?
If you like it, also try American IPA, White IPA and American Pale Ale.
If you like IPA Argenta, try these
Classification and statistics: official IPA Argenta guidelines from the BJCP, 2021 edition. Original text by Hacer Cerveza Casera.