Overview for the American IPA

The American IPA is the most popular craft beer style in the United States. And for good reason, too. When well crafted, its hoppy goodness delivers intense aromas and flavors that can be citrusy and fruity; floral and piney; earthy and herbal. The hops are complemented by a wide range of malts and other ingredients. It’s a popular playground for brewers to express their creativity and a veritable cornucopia for craft beer connoisseurs.

Style Expectations

A decidedly hoppy and bitter, moderately strong American pale ale, showcasing modern American or New World hop varieties. The balance is hop-forward, with a clean fermentation profile, dryish finish, and clean, supporting malt allowing a creative range of hop character to shine through.

Appearance

Color ranges from medium gold to light reddish-amber. Should be clear, although unfiltered dry-hopped versions may be a bit hazy. Medium-sized, white to off-white head with good persistence.

Aroma

A prominent to intense hop aroma featuring one or more characteristics of American or New World hops, such as citrus, floral, pine, resinous, spicy, tropical fruit, stone fruit, berry, melon, etc. Many versions are dry hopped and can have an additional fresh hop aroma; this is desirable but not required. Grassiness should be minimal, if present. A low to medium-low clean, grainy-malty aroma may be found in the background. Fruitiness from yeast may also be detected in some versions, although a neutral fermentation character is also acceptable. A restrained alcohol note may be present, but this character should be minimal at best. Any American or New World hop character is acceptable; new hop varieties continue to be released and should not constrain this style.

Flavor

Hop flavor is medium to very high, and should reflect an American or New World hop character, such as citrus, floral, pine, resinous, spicy, tropical fruit, stone fruit, berry, melon, etc. Medium-high to very high hop bitterness. Malt flavor should be low to medium-low, and is generally clean and grainy-malty although some light caramel or toasty flavors are acceptable. Low yeast-derived fruitiness is acceptable but not required. Dry to medium-dry finish; residual sweetness should be low to none. The bitterness and hop flavor may linger into the aftertaste but should not be harsh. A very light, clean alcohol flavor may be noted in stronger versions. May be slightly sulfury, but most examples do not exhibit this character.

Mouthfeel

Medium-light to medium body, with a smooth texture. Medium to medium-high carbonation. No harsh hop-derived astringency. Very light, smooth alcohol warming not a fault if it does not intrude into overall balance.

Reviews

Señor Krunkles

American IPA  •  Terrapin Beer Co.

Señor Krunkles is an American IPA by Terrapin Beer Co. that blends spicy and floral hops with baked bread, tropical fruit, and pear. Read More

Pompeii IPA

New England IPA  •  Toppling Goliath Brewing Co.

Pompeii IPA is a New England-style IPA by Toppling Goliath Brewing Co. that has juicy citrus and tropical fruit and a bready malt backbone. Read More

Hop Gun IPA

American IPA  •  Funky Buddha Brewery

Hop Gun IPA is an American IPA by Funky Buddha Brewery offers a medley of hop flavors balanced with fruit, caramel, and baked bread. Read More

Waterboys

American IPA  •  Champion Brewing Company

Waterboys is an American IPA by Champion Brewing Company that pops with floral, citrus, and resin hops; balanced by cracker and tropical fruit. Read More

Jazz Cabbage

American IPA  •  Terrapin Beer Co.

Jazz Cabbage is an American IPA by Terrapin Beer Co. that features a trio of hop varietals, a quartet of malts, and a hemp infusion. Read More

Kismet

American IPA  •  Mother Earth Brew Co.

Kismet is an American IPA by Mother Earth Brew Co. that blends floral and citrus hops and balanced with biscuit and stone fruit. Read More

Woods & Waters

American IPA  •  Maine Beer Company

Woods & Waters is an American IPA by Maine Beer Company that’s wonderfully layered with citrus and tropical fruit, spice, and bread. Read More

India Pale Ale (I.P.A.)

American IPA  •  Laughing Dog Brewing

The India Pale Ale (I.P.A.) by Laughing Dog Brewing is a hoppy mouth pleaser, delivering a blast of floral, piney, and citrusy hops. Read More

Can-O-Bliss Citrus IPA

American IPA  •  Oskar Blues Brewery

Can-O-Bliss Citrus IPA is an American IPA by Oskar Blues Brewery whose sextet of hops pack a range of citrus and tropical fruit flavors. Read More

Boo Koo IPA

American IPA  •  Mother Earth Brew Co.

Boo Koo IPA is an American IPA by Mother Earth Brew Co. whose hoppy tangerine and pine is balanced by bready malt. Read More

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