The Complete IPA Style Guide: Brew Every Style

Dive into the world of India Pale Ales (IPAs) and unlock the secrets to brewing the world's second most popular beer style. Whether you're a novice homebrewer or a seasoned craft enthusiast, this comprehensive IPA style guide will help you get your head around every IPA variation from classic to cutting-edge.

 

The Ever-Expanding IPA Family

The IPA style has evolved dramatically since its inception. Let's explore the diverse branches of the IPA family tree:

 

1. English IPA: The Traditional Tipple

Characterised by a balanced profile, English IPAs showcase fruity esters and subtle caramel notes. The classic versions feature traditional English hops and yeast strains. The modern craft versions use new-world English hops. This style had more restrained bitterness compared to their American counterparts.

 Style parameters:

• OG: 1.050 – 1.070
• IBUs: 40 – 60 
• FG: 1.010 – 1.015 
• SRM: 6 – 14 
• ABV: 5.0 – 7.5%

 

2. American IPA: Bold and Unapologetic

The Classic American IPA style has a lighter grain bill and is a more assertively bittered version of the English IPA. The grain bill uses a lower-flavoured base malt and less crystal than the English version. The American IPA tends to use a clean fermenting Ale yeast. The hops used are more dank, piney, and citrusy flavours that dance on your palate.

Modern versions of the American IPA style have been the earmarked West Coast IPAs. These IPAs include very little to no caramel or crystal malt. The bitterness is enough to be noticeable and adds to the refreshing finish of the beer, and the hops have moved more towards the fruity, citrus & tropical New World varieties. 

Style parameters:

• OG: 1.056 – 1.070
• IBUs: 40 – 70 
• FG: 1.008 – 1.014 
• SRM: 6 – 14 
• ABV: 5.5 – 7.5%

 

For more on Making Classic and Modern American IPAs, check out our article Crafting the Perfect IPA: A Homebrewer's Guide.

 

3. Hazy IPA / New England IPA: The Hazy Revolution

Juicy, cloudy, and bursting with fruity, citrus and Tropical hop flavour. The Hazy IPA style has taken the beer world by storm. With their smooth mouthfeel and full pulp juice flavour, these beers offer a less bitter, more approachable IPA experience.

Style parameters:

• OG: 1.060 – 1.085
• IBUs: 25 – 60
• FG: 1.010 – 1.015
• SRM: 3 – 7
• ABV: 6.0 – 9.0%

 

For more on making Hazy IPAs, check out our article The Hazy Revolution: Hazy IPA's Official Rise.

 

4. Double/Imperial IPA: For the Hop Heads

An amped-up version of the American IPA style, these brews pack a punch with higher alcohol content and more intense hop character. Not for the faint-hearted! Again, the classic versions had a more chewie grain bill and more of a focus on piney, citrus hops. Whereas the modern versions are lighter in grainbill and more of a shift towards modern hops and hopping techniques.

Style parameters:

• OG: 1.065 – 1.085
• IBUs: 60 – 100
• FG: 1.008 – 1.018
• SRM: 6 – 14
• ABV: 7.5 – 10.0%

 

5. Speciality IPAs: Breaking the Mould

These are rare IPA styles that made enough of a splash to become official styles but have since faded into the background. 

• Black IPA: An American IPA that uses dehusked black malts like Carafa or Black Patent to paint this IPA black like a red door. 

 

• Red IPA: An American IPA, but with some caramel, toffee, or fruit character, like in an American Amber Ale. Retaining the dryish finish that makes IPAs so drinkable, a Red IPA is slightly more flavourful and malty than an American IPA without being sweet or heavy.

 

• Brown IPA: An American IPA, but with dark caramel, chocolate, toffee, or dark fruit character as in an American Brown Ale. Retains the dryish finish that makes IPAs so drinkable. A Brown IPA is a little more flavourful and malty than an American IPA without being sweet or heavy.

 

• Belgian IPA: As the name suggests, this is an IPA made with Belgian yeast. American versions use New World hops, whereas European versions tend to use European hops.

 

• White IPA: This embodies an American IPA crossed with a Belgian Wit. It has a lighter colour and less body than the American IPA and features the distinctive yeast and or spice additions typical of a Witbier.

 

• Rye IPA: An American IPA with spicy, grainy rye malt. The rye gives a bready, peppery flavour and a grainy finish.

 

• Brut IPA: A pale, hop-forward variant with a bone-dry finish, very high carbonation, and a restrained bitterness level suggestive of sparkling white wine or Champagne. This style was a retort to the hazy IPA, but many of the examples were too extreme which affected the beer's drinkability.

 

6. Cold IPAs: New Kid on the Block

The newest kid on the block is the Cold IPA. This style is the evolution of the Brut IPA. It uses adjunct grains like rice and corn with hazy IPA hops and techniques. This results in a light, refreshing, fruity, citrusy, or tropical hop-forward IPA.

For more on the Cold IPA check out our article Understanding the Cold IPA Beer Style.

 

Crafting Your Perfect IPA: Key Considerations

 

1. Hop Selection: The Heart of Your IPA

Choosing the right hops is crucial for a standout IPA. Consider these tips:

• Pair complementary hop varieties for a harmonious flavour profile
• Experiment with contrasting hops to create depth and complexity
• Trust your nose – if it smells amazing in the packet, it'll likely shine in your brew

See our range of Hops, here. 

 

2. Hop Timing: Maximising Aroma and Flavour

When it comes to hopping, timing is everything:

• Bittering hops: Add during the boil for that classic IPA bite
• Aroma hops: Late additions and whirlpool/hop stand additions will preserve those delicate aromatics
• Dry hopping: The secret weapon for explosive hop character

 

3. Yeast Matters: Choosing the Right Strain

Don't overlook the importance of yeast in your IPA:

• English IPA: Opt for a traditional English ale yeast
• American IPA: West Coast ale strains are your best bet
• Hazy IPA: English or specialty hazy strains will give you that juicy goodness

See our range of yeasts, here. 

 

4. Water Chemistry: The Unsung Hero

Pay attention to your brewing water, especially in terms of the sulphate-to-chloride ratio. Classic and West Coast IPA styles tend to focus on sulphate, whereas the rest of the modern styles focus on chloride.

 

5. Malt Selection: Building the Foundation

While hops are the star, don't neglect your malt bill. Choose a clean base malt and consider small additions of speciality malts to add complexity without overshadowing the hops.

 

Troubleshooting Common IPA Issues

 

1. Lack of Hop Aroma

Solution: Increase your late hop additions and dry hopping.

 

2. Overly Bitter

Solution: Shift your hop additions towards the end of the boil and or reduce bittering hop quantities.

 

3. Hazy Beer (When Unintended)

Solution: Use high-flocculating yeast and consider adding fining agents. Though dry hops add polyphenols, which are largely insoluble in beer, a slight haze is usually associated with heavily dry-hopped beers.

 

4. Oxidation (Cardboard Flavours)

Solution: Minimise oxygen exposure post-fermentation, especially when dry hopping and transferring the beer.

 

Ready to Brew Your Perfect IPA?

With this knowledge, you're ready to embark on your IPA brewing adventure. Remember, brewing is as much an art as it is a science, so don't be afraid to experiment and find your unique twist on this beloved style. 

Ready to brew your own IPA? Check out our grain kits, here.

Not ready for all-grain? Check out our range of IPA extract beer kits:

• IPA Extract Kits
• Extract Starter Kits

 

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