IPA vs pale ale: what's the difference?
An IPA is a stronger, hoppier pale ale: both are hop-forward ales, but IPAs push the bitterness, citrus and pine further and usually run 6 to 7% instead of about 5%.
IPA
EasyBoozy
TartSweet
Not bitterBracing
Big, bitter and citrusy, hops turned all the way up.
Pale ale
EasyBoozy
TartSweet
Not bitterBracing
Balanced and easy, with some hops and a bready base.
The real difference
Both are ales built on pale malt with plenty of hops. A pale ale keeps the malt and hops in balance and stays around 5%. An IPA, India pale ale, uses more hops and more malt, so it's stronger, more bitter and more aromatic. Hazy IPAs taste juicier and less bitter.
Side by side
IPAPale ale
AlcoholUsually 6 to 7%, higher for doublesUsually 4.5 to 5.5%
BitternessHigh, unless it is a hazy IPAMedium
TastesGrapefruit, pine, tropical fruitCitrus, bread, light pine
Which to order
- Order an IPA if you love hops and don't mind bitter.
- Order a pale ale if you want hop flavor without the punch.
Quick questions
- Are hazy IPAs bitter?
- Usually less than classic West Coast IPAs. Hazy or New England IPAs taste juicy and tropical, though they're often just as strong.
- What does IPA stand for?
- India pale ale. Strong, well-hopped pale ales were shipped from England to India in the 1800s, and the name stuck.