About American Style IPA

About American Style IPA
American style IPAs are deep gold to amber in color and fall between 5.5-7.5% in alcohol. They are characterized by floral and citrus hop aromas and a distinctive hop bitterness on the finish. This style originated in the 19th century when British troops and colonizers were working to develop an alternative to their standard ales in order to withstand transport to India. Today, US craft brewers have claimed the style as their own with assertive Pacific Northwestern hop varieties that stand out. Noteworthy examples of this style include: Laurelwood Workhorse India Pale Ale, Oskar Blue’s Deviant Dale’s IPA, Three Floyds Alpha King and Founder’s Centennial IPA.

Top Picks for American Style IPA

Maine Beer Company Lunch India Pale Ale
94 points
Fruity yet bitter, this IPA is well balanced with depth and a surprisingly refreshing finish.
Awards: 2023 World Beer Championships Gold Medal
Revolution Brewing Anti-Hero IPA
94 points
Crisp, clean, classic; a true to form IPA that is both bitter and refreshing without overpowering the palate.
Awards: 2023 World Beer Championships Gold Medal
Fremont Brewing Lush IPA
93 points
A peachy, peary, plushy delight with nice bitterness.
Revolution Brewing Infinity-Hero IPA
93 points
Very dank, West Coast in style, and executed very well; unexpectedly inventive.
Awards: 2024 World Beer Championships - Best American Style IPA
New Trail Brewing Co. Replenish West Coast Style IPA
93 points
A piney, cannabis nose parlays into a way more refined finish on the palate; there is plenty of malt presence without an overwhelming amount of hop bitterness and nice toasty chestnut and almond flavors.
Awards: 2023 World Beer Championships Silver Medal
Burleigh Brewing Co. Hassle Hop Session IPA
92 points
A solid session IPA, resinous and lingering with flavor seeping into every nook and cranny.
Wallenpaupack Brewing Company Inside Edge IPA
92 points
Pine forward with a nice orange essence; delicious and classic for the style.
Commonhouse Aleworks Looking East American Style IPA
92 points
A quaffable, clean IPA with just the right balance of grapefruit and pine.
Fremont Brewing Legend Cold IPA
92 points
Satisfying and a rather rich and restrained styling showing fruit as well as some pleasant vegetable tones.
Juniper Brewing Co. Soulshine IPA
91 points
A very well executed and fresh West Coast IPA.