What does an IPA taste like?
An IPA tastes bitter and hoppy, with grapefruit, pine and tropical fruit up front, a bready malt base behind it and a dry, bitter bite that lingers.
IPA
bitter, piney, big on hops
IPA stands for India pale ale, a pale ale brewed with extra hops. Hops are flowers that add both bitterness and big aromas, and IPAs lean into both: grapefruit, pine, orange peel, mango, sometimes something dank and resinous. West Coast IPAs are clear, dry and properly bitter. Hazy or New England IPAs are cloudy, softer and juicier, tasting more like tropical juice with the bitterness turned down. Most sit at 6 to 7%, and a double IPA climbs to 8% or more and gets even more bitter.
Where you’ll see it
On nearly every craft beer list, usually several of them, labeled West Coast, hazy, juicy, session (lighter) or double. Brewpubs pour them next to burgers, wings and anything fried.
Order it if you like bitter, citrusy flavors, the way some people love grapefruit or a Negroni.
Quick questions
- What's the difference between an IPA and a pale ale?
- An IPA is basically a pale ale with more hops and usually more alcohol, so it's more bitter and more aromatic. Pale ales are gentler and easier going.
- Are hazy IPAs less bitter?
- Usually, yes. Hazy IPAs use hops mostly for aroma, so they taste juicy and soft, while West Coast IPAs keep the sharp bitter bite.