BJCP 22A · Strong American Ale
Double IPA
A stronger, more intense IPA: loads of American hops, high bitterness and a dry finish, with noticeable but well-integrated alcohol and no sweetness.
Double IPA by the numbers
- Alcohol (ABV)
- 7.5 – 10.0%on a scale of 2.0 to 14.0
- Bitterness
- 60 – 100 IBUon a scale of 0 to 100
- Color
- 6 – 14 SRM12–28 EBCon a scale of 1 to 40
- Original gravity
- 1.065 – 1.085on a scale of 1.026 to 1.130
- Final gravity
- 1.008 – 1.018on a scale of 0.990 to 1.040
What Double IPA is like
An IPA taken further: more hops, more bitterness and more alcohol, but with a dry, clean finish that keeps it drinkable. It's a hop-centered beer, not a barleywine.
Appearance
Gold to light orange-copper, clear or slightly hazy. White to ivory head with good retention.
Aroma
High to very high hop intensity with citrus, tropical fruit, pine, resin or stone fruit. Some clean malt and soft alcohol may peek through behind it.
Flavor
Lots of hops and high to very high bitterness, backed by low to medium malt. The finish is dry to off-dry and the alcohol adds some warmth without tasting hot or sweet.
Mouthfeel
Medium-light to medium body, medium carbonation and moderate alcohol warmth. It shouldn't be heavy or cloying.
Where Double IPA comes from
It was born in California in the mid-1990s and caught on in the early 2000s, when breweries like Russian River turned excessive hopping into a style of its own.
Ingredients
Clean pale malt, little or no caramel malt and often some sugar to dry out the finish. Huge amounts of American or New World hops and a clean American ale yeast.
Brew it yourself
How to brew Double IPA at home
Use 5–10% dextrose and mash at 64–65 °C (147–149 °F) so it finishes dry. Pitch plenty of yeast, oxygenate and ferment at 18–19 °C (64–66 °F) to avoid fusel alcohols. Keep in mind that all those hops soak up a lot of beer, and that the classic mistake is a sweet, heavy DIPA that tastes like a barleywine.
Food pairing
Stands up to bold dishes like spiced lamb, curries or mild blue cheeses.
Glassware: tulip glass, it concentrates the aroma and holds the head.
Classic examples
- Russian River Pliny the Elder
- Lagunitas Hop Stoopid
- Port Brewing Hop 15
Frequently asked questions
How strong is Double IPA?
Between 7.5% and 10.0% ABV, according to the BJCP 2021 Style Guidelines. That is a very high strength.
How bitter is Double IPA?
It has 60 to 100 IBUs, a very high bitterness. For reference, a mass-market lager is around 10 IBUs.
What color is Double IPA?
Gold to copper: 6 to 14 SRM (12 to 28 EBC).
What food pairs well with Double IPA?
Stands up to bold dishes like spiced lamb, curries or mild blue cheeses.
Which styles are similar?
If you like it, also try American IPA, American Strong Ale and American Barleywine.
If you like Double IPA, try these
Classification and statistics: official Double IPA guidelines from the BJCP, 2021 edition. Original text by Hacer Cerveza Casera.