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BJCP 2021 / 21B

Specialty IPA

An IPA with a named twist where the hop and the twist support each other.

  • Drink fresh
  • high strength
  • top fermented
  • north america
  • craft style

Serve: 44 to 50F, Tulip

OG1.120
1.046 to 1.085
FG1.030
0.990 to 1.018
IBU120
20 to 100
SRM40
2 to 40
ABV14%
5.5 to 9.5%

Envelope across the sub-types (Belgian, Black, Brown, Red, Rye, White and Brut IPA). Check the BJCP page for each range.

Taste it in order

Aroma

12 pts
  • Hop aroma of an IPA
  • Plus the sub-type signature: Belgian phenolic fruit, black roast, rye spice, coriander and orange peel, or sparkling wine dryness
  • Clean base otherwise
Vague
Hoppy
Better
IPA hop with a twist
Best
Moderate-high citrus and pine hop aroma with the sub-type note clearly present, such as spicy rye or Belgian fruit, and a clean base

Appearance

3 pts
  • Color follows the sub-type, from near-colorless to black
  • Clear to hazy
  • White to tan head
Vague
Varied
Better
Right color for the sub-type
Best
Color suited to the sub-type, bright to slightly hazy, dense head of good retention

Flavor

20 pts
  • IPA hop and bitterness plus the sub-type flavor
  • Roast for black, spice for rye, fruit for Belgian, grain-free dryness for Brut
  • Finish matches the base style
Vague
Hoppy
Better
Hop and the sub-type flavor
Best
Moderate-high hop flavor and firm bitterness blended with a recognizable sub-type character such as rye spice or light roast, dry finish

Mouthfeel

5 pts
  • Medium-light to medium body for most
  • Medium to high carbonation
  • Brut is very dry and light
Vague
Smooth
Better
Medium body, smooth
Best
Medium-light to medium body suited to the sub-type, medium carbonation, no hop astringency

Overall Impression

10 pts

Lifts it

  • Clear sub-type identity
  • Balance with the hop

Drops it

  • Twist that fights the hops
  • Muddled flavors

Writing tip

Name the twist. Example: 'Citrus hop with spicy rye grain and dry finish. The rye supports the hop well.'

Pour these

  • Hop Rod RyeBear RepublicRye IPA with spicy grain
  • Chainbreaker White IPADeschutes BreweryWhite IPA with citrus and gentle spice
  • Houblon ChouffeBrasserie d'AchouffeBelgian IPA with fruit and spice

Often confused with

Fine here

  • Estery: Belgian IPA expects fruit
  • Phenolic: Belgian yeast spice is allowed in the Belgian sub-type

Ruinous here

  • Oxidized: Hop fade
  • Astringent: Harsh roast or hop
  • Diacetyl: Butter

Style names, numbers and vital statistics follow the BJCP 2021 beer guidelines. Descriptions and example choices are our own. Check a beer is still made before you hunt for it.