Beverage style guidelines are used with the permission of the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP). BJCP Style Guidelines Copyright © BJCP, Inc. The most current guidelines are available at www.bjcp.org.
Vital statistics
| Original gravity | 1.065 – 1.085 (15.9 – 20.5 °P) |
|---|---|
| Final gravity | 1.008 – 1.018 (2.1 – 4.6 °P) |
| Bitterness | 60 – 100 IBU |
| Color | 6 – 14 SRM (12 – 28 EBC) |
| Alcohol | 7.5 – 10.0% ABV |
Overall impression
An intensely hoppy, fairly strong, bitter pale ale without the big, rich, complex maltiness, residual sweetness, and body of an American Barleywine. Strongly hopped, but clean, dry, and lacking harshness. Despite showing its strength, drinkability is an important consideration.
Aroma
A prominent to intense hop aroma typically featuring modern American or New World hop characteristics such as citrus, floral, pine, resin, spice, tropical fruit, stone fruit, berry, or melon. A supportive, clean, neutral to grainy maltiness may be found in the background. Neutral to lightly fruity fermentation profile. Alcohol may be noted, but should not be solventy.
Appearance
Gold to light orange-copper color, but most modern versions are fairly pale. Good clarity, although a little haze is acceptable. Moderate-sized, persistent, white to offwhite head.
Flavor
Strong and complex hop flavor (same descriptors as aroma). Moderately high to very high bitterness, but should not be harsh. Low to medium supportive, clean, soft, unobtrusive malt character; may have light caramel or toast flavors. Dry to medium-dry finish, not sweet or heavy, with a lingering hoppy, bitter aftertaste. Low to moderate fruitiness optional. A light, clean, smooth alcohol flavor is allowable.
Mouthfeel
Medium-light to medium body, with a smooth texture. Medium to medium-high carbonation. No harsh hopderived astringency. Restrained, smooth alcohol warmth acceptable.
Comments
Rarely called Imperial IPA. Many modern versions have multiple dry-hop additions.
History
An American craft beer innovation first developed in the mid-late 1990s as more intense version of American IPA. Became more mainstream and popular throughout the 2000s, and inspired additional IPA creativity. Russian River Pliny the Elder, first brewed in 2000, helped popularize the style.
Characteristic ingredients
Neutral base malt. Sugar adjuncts common. Crystal malts rare. American or New World hops. Neutral or lightly fruity yeast. No oak.
Style comparison
Bigger than English and American IPAs in alcohol strength, bitterness, and hoppiness. Less malty-rich, less body, drier, and with a greater overall hop balance than American Barleywine.
Commercial examples
Columbus Brewing Bohdi, Fat Head's Hop Juju, Port Brewing Hop-15, Russian River Pliny the Elder, Stone Ruination Double IPA 2.0, Wicked Weed Freak of Nature
Tags: very-high-strength, pale-color, top-fermented, northamerica, craft-style, ipa-family, bitter, hoppy