BJCP 12C · Pale Commonwealth Beer
English IPA
The original IPA: an English ale with earthy, floral hops, biscuity malt with soft caramel and firm bitterness. Maltier than American IPA.
English IPA by the numbers
- Alcohol (ABV)
- 5.0 – 7.5%on a scale of 2.0 to 14.0
- Bitterness
- 40 – 60 IBUon a scale of 0 to 100
- Color
- 6 – 14 SRM12–28 EBCon a scale of 1 to 40
- Original gravity
- 1.050 – 1.070on a scale of 1.026 to 1.130
- Final gravity
- 1.010 – 1.015on a scale of 0.990 to 1.040
What English IPA is like
An English pale ale with more hops, more bitterness and more alcohol than a bitter, but with a solid malt backbone. The hops are earthy, floral or spicy, not tropical or resinous as in American versions. It's dry, bitter and balanced.
Appearance
Gold to medium copper, clear. Moderate, persistent white to cream head.
Aroma
Moderate to high English hops, floral, earthy or spicy, with biscuity, bready or soft caramel malt. Moderate fruity esters.
Flavor
Medium to high bitterness, balanced by biscuity malt with soft caramel. Pronounced hop flavor and fruit from the yeast. Medium-dry to dry finish, with a hoppy aftertaste and a slightly minerally edge if the water is high in sulfate.
Mouthfeel
Medium-light to medium body. Low to moderate carbonation and perhaps some warmth in stronger versions.
Where English IPA comes from
It appeared in England in the late 18th and early 19th centuries as a hoppy pale ale for export to India. Hodgson, in London, and later the Burton breweries were the big producers, and Burton's hard water shaped the style.
Ingredients
English pale malt, with little caramel malt and sometimes some sugar. English hops such as Goldings, Fuggles or Challenger. English ale yeast and sulfate-rich, Burton-style water.
Brew it yourself
How to brew English IPA at home
Ferment at 18-20 °C (64-68 °F) with English yeast and add hops late in the boil and as a dry hop. Raise the sulfate in your water so the bitterness comes across dry and crisp. The classic mistake is using American hops or too much caramel malt: it turns into an American IPA or a sweetish bitter.
Food pairing
Great with curry, spiced lamb or aged cheddar.
Glassware: nonic pint glass, the classic pub glass, made for long drinks.
Classic examples
- Worthington's White Shield
- Fuller's Bengal Lancer
- Samuel Smith's India Ale
Frequently asked questions
How strong is English IPA?
Between 5.0% and 7.5% ABV, according to the BJCP 2021 Style Guidelines. That is a high strength.
How bitter is English IPA?
It has 40 to 60 IBUs, a high bitterness. For reference, a mass-market lager is around 10 IBUs.
What color is English IPA?
Gold to copper: 6 to 14 SRM (12 to 28 EBC).
What food pairs well with English IPA?
Great with curry, spiced lamb or aged cheddar.
Which styles are similar?
If you like it, also try American IPA, Strong Bitter and British Golden Ale.
If you like English IPA, try these
Classification and statistics: official English IPA guidelines from the BJCP, 2021 edition. Original text by Hacer Cerveza Casera.