Beer Style.org
English
English简体中文DeutschEspañolPortuguês (Brasil)

21B · Style family

Specialty IPA

Recognizable as an IPA by balance – a hop-forward, bitter, dryish beer – with something else present to distinguish it from the standard categories. Should have good drinkability, regardless of the form. Excessive harshness and heaviness are typically faults, as are strong flavor clashes between the hops and the other specialty ingredients.

Compare
Transparent glass outline for Specialty IPA; colour varies by recipeColour varies by recipe

Parameter ranges

Alcohol · ABV

3.0–5.0% (session); 5.0–7.5% (standard); 7.5–10.0% (double)

Bitterness · IBU

Varies with the base style

Color · SRM

Varies with the base style

Original gravity · OG

Varies with the base style

Final gravity · FG

Varies with the base style

Ranges describe a style, not an individual beer. Colour depends on the base beer and ingredients. The transparent glass outline does not depict a fixed beer colour.

About this entry

Specialty IPA is a family of IPA variations rather than one distinct style. The shared feature is the balance and overall impression of an IPA, typically American IPA, with a change in strength, color, fermentation character, or grain profile. Here, IPA describes a hop-forward, bitter beer; the name does not imply that these beers were historically sent to India or that every version is pale. IPAs with distinctive added fruit, spices, wood, smoke, grains, or sugars may instead fit the corresponding ingredient-based specialty category. A distinctive hop variety alone does not create a separate style. The individual IPA types in this family can also serve as the base for other specialty beers.

Appearance

Color depends on specific type of Specialty IPA. Most should be clear, but a slight haze is acceptable in most styles. Darker types can be opaque, making clarity irrelevant. Good, persistent head stand with color dependent on the specific type of Specialty IPA.

Aroma

Detectable hop aroma is required; characterization of hops is dependent on the specific type of Specialty IPA. Other aromatics may be present; hop aroma is typically the strongest element.

Flavor

Variable by type, with the quality of each component dependent on the specific Specialty IPA. Hop flavor typically medium-low to high. Hop bitterness typically medium-high to very high. Malt flavor generally low to medium. Commonly has a medium-dry to dry finish. Some clean alcohol flavor can be noted in stronger versions. Various types of Specialty IPAs can show additional malt and yeast characteristics, depending on the type.

Mouthfeel

Smooth. Medium-light to medium body. Medium carbonation, generally. A background alcohol warmth can be perceived in stronger versions.

Notes

Strength variations include session-strength versions of American or English IPA. Session IPA can use American IPA as its base. Double IPA has its own description. The strength bands used here are Session 3.0–5.0% ABV, Standard 5.0–7.5% ABV, and Double 7.5–10.0% ABV.

Style comparison

Currently Defined Types: Belgian IPA, Black IPA, Brown IPA, Red IPA, Rye IPA, White IPA, Brut IPA

In the same category