Which IBU value would be typical for an IPA?

Which IBU value would be typical for an IPA?

• A. 70
• B. 40
• C. 10
• D. 100

Answer: (A)

IBU measures the bitterness that hops contribute to beer, and IPAs are defined in large part by their hop-forward character. Because of that, IPAs sit in the high end of bitterness, often around 60 to 70 IBU, with many classic examples near 70. So a value of 70 IBU best represents a typical IPA. A value around 40 would be a more moderate bitterness, not characteristic of the style; 10 is too low for an IPA, and 100 is extremely high and not representative of most IPAs (even if some extreme examples exist, they’re outliers).

IBU measures the bitterness that hops contribute to beer, and IPAs are defined in large part by their hop-forward character. Because of that, IPAs sit in the high end of bitterness, often around 60 to 70 IBU, with many classic examples near 70. So a value of 70 IBU best represents a typical IPA. A value around 40 would be a more moderate bitterness, not characteristic of the style; 10 is too low for an IPA, and 100 is extremely high and not representative of most IPAs (even if some extreme examples exist, they’re outliers).