Best India Pale Ales (IPA) (Sep. 2026) - Rated by CherryPicks' Experts

Beginner's Guide to Pick the India Pale Ale

Benefits of India pale ale

• Increase the level of vitamin B: You can find many vitamin B in an India pale ale. For instance, vitamin B6 can help you prevent chronic diseases like heart-related illnesses.
• Reduce the risk of cancer: India pale ale helps to reduce the risk of cancer because it contains some antioxidants like polyphenols that are responsible for the prevention of cancer.
• Removal of toxins from your body: The consumption of this pale ale helps to remove toxins that are harmful to your body. Anytime you urinate after drinking an India pale ale, you are getting rid of toxins 
• Eyesight improvement: You can find enzymes that can help improve your eyesight. It can prevent the damaging of mitochondria in your body.
• Insomnia treatment: Lacto Flavin can be found in India pale ale that helps in sleeping. It also contains Nicotinic acid that helps cure insomnia.
• It boosts your mental health: Consuming India pale ale can calm your nerves. It helps in pushing up dopamine that helps in relaxing you.

What to consider before buying India pale ale

Consider the types

India pale ale comes in different types and styles. We have listed some of the types of IPA for you to choose from. If you are already used to India pale ale, you might be familiar with the types and find it very easy to make your choice based on your preference.

However, you might not be familiar with the various types of India pale ale. The English IPA uses varieties of hop. It is usually earthy and grassy with a hint of citrus. West Coast IPA is similar to the former. It is bolder. It is considered as the real hophead.  Imperial IPA is more bitter and stronger. It has a hoppy flavor.

 Brut IPA is very dry, crispy, and almost like wine. It is usually referred to as the champagne of IPA. Milkshake IPA is infused with more lactose. It has flavors such as pineapple, vanilla. It is also infused with sugar that cannot be fermented. You should consider the type you want and go for your preference.

Check out the description

So many breweries take time to describe their pale ale. The description made can help you make your decision if it is a good ale for you to enjoy. Always read the description on the label. This is necessary because you are seeking information about the drink. You need to know the type, style and have full information about the flavor too.

For instance, the common description you can find in an India pale ale includes; “herbal”, “citrusy”, “smooth”, “hoppy”, and so on. These terms are just to describe how the pale ale will be. It is left for you to know which one you want and think you will enjoy.

Checking for special terms is also very important. For instance, an India pale ale can be described as “dry-hopped”. This means it is very possible for it not to have a bitter taste. It is unusual for breweries to include the calories content on the label, but some give hints. This information can help you make your decision better.

Take note of the appearance

The appearance of an India pale ale is very important because there is no variety of pale ale colors. Most of them have a deep golden color. Hold up the bottle and try to check the color to be sure of what you are about to buy. Try to observe the color yourself. You should be able to tell if you see a deep golden color, a pale orange, amber color. You should be able to check if it will be foamy at the top.

Try to identify the volume of alcohol

ABV is a wide term for describing the volume of alcohol in any drink. India pale ale usually has ABV of 4% to 8%. Many India pale ales have high alcohol in it. It may not be okay if you plan on drinking more than one bottle. Always check the ABV or ask about it before you attempt to buy. Check if the ABV is lower than 5% if you are looking for an IPA you can drink over time.

India pale ale can be enjoyed with meals too. Aside from being used for refreshment and relaxation, it is beneficial to your health too. This guide will be of help when you decide to buy an India pale ale.