Malt aroma & flavor
A low to medium maltiness should be present in aroma and flavor.
North American Origin Ale Styles
Session India Pale Ale
Ale · Straw to copper
What to expect
A low to medium maltiness should be present in aroma and flavor.
Reading guide · The complete guideline attributes below preserve the source’s qualifications.Color · SRM
3–12
Pale / strawBlack
Straw to copper · Illustrative colors on the shared, uneven SRM scale.
Explore styles overlapping this color rangeAlcohol · ABV
0.5–5.0%
Reference scale, not a limit on official guideline values.
Bitterness · IBU
20–55
Measured bitterness; perceived bitterness is described in the guideline below.
Brewers Association 2026 · Printed guideline page 8 · PDF page 17. Color graphics are illustrative.
The guideline, in detail
Official style attributes, including what may be present and what should be absent.
Hop aroma & flavor
Hop aroma and flavor are medium to high, exhibiting a wide range of attributes. Overall hop character is assertive.
Perceived bitterness
Medium to high
Body & mouthfeel
Low to medium
Clarity
Chill haze is acceptable at low temperatures. Hop haze is allowable at any temperature.
Color
Straw to copper
Fermentation characteristics
Fruity esters are low to medium. Diacetyl should not be present.
Additional guideline notes & competition context
Session India Pale Ales are lower alcohol versions of any of the various American, Juicy or Hazy, British or other India Pale Ale styles from around the world. Balance and high drinkability are key to a successful Session India Pale Ale. Hop aroma and flavor attributes hew to the underlying India Pale Ale style being made at lower strength. Beers exceeding 5.0% abv are not considered Session India Pale Ales. Beers under 5.0% abv (4.0% abw) which meet the criteria for another classic or traditional style category are not considered Session India Pale Ales. An India Pale Ale made to alcohol content below 0.5% abv (0.4% abw) is categorized as a Non- Alcohol Malt Beverage.
Technical specifications, including gravity
Original Gravity (°Plato) 1.008-1.052 (2.1-12.9 °Plato) • Apparent Extract/Final Gravity (°Plato) 1.005-1.014 (1.3-4.6 °Plato) • Alcohol by Weight (Volume) 0.4%-4.0% (0.5%-5.0%) • Hop Bitterness (IBU) 20-55 • Color SRM (EBC) 3-12 (6-24 EBC)