American-style India pale ales have intense hop bitterness, flavor and aroma with high alcohol content. The style is further characterized by fruity, floral and citrus-like American-variety hop character. Note that “fruity, floral and citrus-like Americanvariety hop character” is the perceived end, but may be a result of the skillful use of hops of other national origins.
Hops from a variety of origins may be used to contribute to a high hopping rate, though importantly American-variety hop character with fruity, floral and citrus-like character is the perceived end, but may be a result of the skillful use of hops of other national origins. Hops from American origins are used to contribute to a high hopping rate.
The use of water with high mineral content results in a crisp, dry beer. This pale gold to deep copper-colored ale has a full, flowery hop aroma and may have a strong hop flavor (in addition to the hop bitterness). India pale ales possess medium maltiness and body. Fruity-ester flavors and aromas are moderate to very strong. Diacetyl can be absent or may be perceived at very low levels. Chill haze is allowable at cold temperatures.
(English and citrus-like American hops are considered enough of a distinction justifying separate American-style IPA and English-style IPA categories or subcategories. Hops of other origins may be used for bitterness or approximating traditional American or English character. See English-style India Pale Ale.) | 