Single, Double and Triple IPAs are as Easy as One, Two, Three
What Is The Difference Between A Single, Double, and Triple IPA?
What is an India Pale Ale, and what makes an IPA a double or triple? You’re not alone if you’ve ever wondered what the difference between these beers is. There are a few key characteristics of each of these styles that make them different. The two most important, if not only, factors that differentiate them are their ABV and IBU. In general, the higher the ABV and the more IBUs a beer has, the closer it gets to being a stronger classification. Some of the classifications of each of these beers are dependent on the brewery and its brewers.
The single IPA has the lowest ABV and least amount of bitterness of the three. It’s usually the most drinkable of the substyles and can be described as having a mild bitterness with a prominent hoppiness.
The double IPA, oftentimes referred to as an imperial IPA, is the middle tier between a single and triple IPA; it has more hoppiness and higher perceived bitterness than the single IPA, but less than that of the triple. It also has a higher ABV.
The triple IPA has the highest IPA of the aforementioned styles and retains the most IBUs. It is extremely hoppy and bitter with a colossal ABV percentage.
Continue reading for more information on each of these styles and their differences.
IPA
The most popular beer style in the United States right now is the IPA. This style is known for its dank and hoppy profile that mixes different hop varieties with various types of grains. The best beers in this style offer a myriad of flavors from dank pine to citrus and grapefruit. But how do we classify the beer as a single IPA? Realistically, it depends on the brewery and how the brewers classify the style. The most impactful factors here, however, are the ABV and the perceived bitterness.
A single IPA has an ABV range of 6.3-7.5% with 50-70 IBUs. It has a comparatively mild bitterness and hoppiness with a vast array of flavor and aroma profiles.
Double IPA
The double IPA is another favorite beer style among craft beer drinkers. Love it or hate it, the double IPA has made a name for itself – it’s oftentimes the preferred IPA style depending on who you ask. Double IPAs are known for their intriguing hop profiles often balanced by malt notes to achieve the perfect bitterness.
An extremely popular style we’ve seen recently is the double New England-style or double hazy IPA. The double IPA is more complex than the single IPA and has a higher ABV with more IBUs. The ABV range for a double or imperial IPA is 7.6-10%.
The IBU range is an intensively bitter 65-100. As you may have noticed, there is a pattern with these styles: each gets hoppier and more bitter the further you get from a single.
Triple IPA
The biggest and baddest IPA style is the triple IPA. This hoppy behemoth is a one-of-a-kind beer style and is extremely bitter. With that load of bitterness, these beers clock in at a staggering 10% ABV or higher. They are the strongest style of IPA with minimal malt flavor or aroma and a dominating hop profile across the board.
Although the triple IPA is not officially recognized by the Beer Judge Certification Program, it’s increasing in popularity as brewers try to push their creative and technical limits.
There you have it. The three styles of IPAs–single, double, and triple–each has their distinct characteristics. Each of them gets hoppier and more bitter the further it moves from a single IPA. Perhaps we’ll see quadruple or quintuple IPAs in the future. One thing’s for sure, though: the India Pale Ale is a treasure of modern craft beer and will pave the way for further beer ingenuity.
