IPA Styles

For simplicity, let's focus on the primary American IPA styles:

• West Coast IPA

• American IPA

• New England/Hazy/Juicy IPA

All of the above styles were originally classified as “American IPA,” but as IPAs exploded in popularity, some distinctive styles evolved. Now, you will find all three of these IPA styles in virtually every craft brewery in America.

West Coast IPA is known for its clear appearance, intense hop bitterness and citrus, pine, and resinous flavor. “Westies” have little or no malt character. The style is “in your face with hop character.” Examples are Wicked Weed’s Pernicious and Burial’s Surf Wax.

American IPA is similar to West Coast IPA but not as bitter, and less likely to be piney. It will have a noticeable malt backbone and can range from clear to amber color. Examples are Sierra Nevada’s Pale Ale and New Belgium/Voodoo Ranger’s (flagship) IPA.

New England IPA (NEIPA) is known for its hazy appearance, relatively low bitterness (vs. other IPA styles) and intense (juicy) tropical fruit flavor. Examples are Sierra Nevada’s Hazy Little Thing and NODA’s Radio Haze.

Here is more information about the full range of IPA styles.