Characterized by floral, fruity, citrus-like, piney or resinous American-variety hop character, the IPA beer style is all about hop flavor, aroma and bitterness. This has been the most-entered category at the Great American Beer Festival for more than a decade, and is the top-selling craft beer style in supermarkets and liquor stores across the U.S.
American IPA
Category: India Pale Ales
Food Pairings
- Spicy Tuna Roll
- Blue Cheeses
- Persimmon Rice Pudding
Commercial Examples
- Stone IPA, Stone Brewing Co.
- Two Hearted Ale, Bell's Brewery
- Bodhizafa IPA, Georgetown Brewing Co.
Appearance
Color
Gold to Copper, Red/Brown
Clarity
Clear to Slight Haze
Carbonation (Visual)
Medium to Fast Rising Bubbles
Flavor/Aroma
Alcohol
Mild to Noticeable
Hop
Hop aroma is high and hop flavor is strong both with floral qualities and citrus-like, piney, resinous or sulfur-like American-variety hop character. Hop bitterness is medium-high to very high
Malt
Biscuit, Bready, Caramel
Esters
Citrus, Tropical Fruit, Pine
Phenols
Not common to style
Sensations
Body
Soft to Sticky
Carbonation
Medium to High
Finish Length
Medium to Long
Attenuation
Medium - High
Ingredients
Hops
Centennial, Simcoe, Amarillo
Malt
American Two-Row
Water
High mineral content
Yeast
Ale
