Malt aroma & flavor
Low to medium pale malt character is typical. Low pale caramel malt character may be present.
North American Origin Ale Styles
American-Style Imperial or Double India Pale Ale
Ale · Straw to medium amber
What to expect
Malt character: Low to medium pale malt character is typical. Hop character: High to intense, exhibiting a wide range of attributes including floral, piney, citrus, fruity (berry, tropical, stone fruit, and other), sulfur, diesel-like, onion-garlic, catty, resinous, and many others. Hop character should be fresh and evident, and should not be harsh.
Reading guide · The complete guideline attributes below preserve the source’s qualifications.Color · SRM
2–7
Pale / strawBlack
Straw to medium amber · Illustrative colors on the shared, uneven SRM scale.
Explore styles overlapping this color rangeAlcohol · ABV
7.6–10.6%
Reference scale, not a limit on official guideline values.
Bitterness · IBU
65–100
Measured bitterness; perceived bitterness is described in the guideline below.
Brewers Association 2026 · Printed guideline page 14 · PDF page 23. Color graphics are illustrative.
The guideline, in detail
Official style attributes, including what may be present and what should be absent.
Hop aroma & flavor
High to intense, exhibiting a wide range of attributes including floral, piney, citrus, fruity (berry, tropical, stone fruit, and other), sulfur, diesel-like, onion-garlic, catty, resinous, and many others. Hop character should be fresh and evident, and should not be harsh.
Perceived bitterness
Very high but not harsh
Body & mouthfeel
Medium to full
Clarity
Chill haze is acceptable at low temperatures. Haze created by dry hopping is allowable at any temperature.
Color
Straw to medium amber
Fermentation characteristics
Alcohol content is medium-high to high and evident. Fruity esters are medium to high. Diacetyl should not be present.
Additional guideline notes & competition context
This style of beer should exhibit the fresh character of hops. Oxidized or aged character should not be present. Versions brewed with darker malts, non-traditional yeasts, fruits, spices, or other flavorings are categorized as Experimental India Pale Ale.
Technical specifications, including gravity
Original Gravity (°Plato) 1.067-1.087 (16.5-21 °Plato) • Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (°Plato) 1.009- 1.016 (2.3-4 °Plato) • Alcohol by Weight (Volume) 6.0%-8.4% (7.6%-10.6%) • Hop Bitterness (IBU) 65- 100 • Color SRM (EBC) 2-7 (4-14 EBC)