Beer · Explainer
What is the difference between an IPA and a NEIPA?
The difference lies in bitterness and in the moment of hopping. According to the BJCP guidelines an American IPA sits at 40 to 70 IBU, a NEIPA or hazy IPA at 25 to 60 IBU. The NEIPA is heavily dry-hopped, partly during fermentation, so that aroma develops instead of bitterness. The haze comes from polyphenols and protein.
In brief
The key figures
| American IPA bitterness | 40 to 70 IBU, BJCP 2021 |
|---|---|
| Hazy IPA bitterness | 25 to 60 IBU, BJCP 2021 |
| Alcohol American IPA | 5.5 to 7.5% vol |
| Alcohol hazy IPA | 6 to 9% vol |
| Colour of American IPA | 6 to 14 SRM |
| Hopmoment NEIPA | Heavy dry hopping, partly during active fermentation |
| Cause of cloudiness | Polyphenols from the dry hop and protein from grain |
| Finish NEIPA | Fuller and soft, from dry to lightly sweet |
What is the difference between an IPA and a NEIPA?
An IPA is more bitter and clearer, a NEIPA softer and hazy: 40 to 70 IBU versus 25 to 60 IBU.
The BJCP guidelines of 2021 put American IPA at 40 to 70 IBU and hazy IPA, the competition name for NEIPA, at 25 to 60 IBU. The difference in bitterness is therefore not just a matter of taste perception; it is in the style description.
On top of that, the fuller body and soft finish of a NEIPA partly mask the bitterness that is there. Two beers with the same IBU can therefore feel very different.
When is a NEIPA hopped?
A NEIPA is heavily dry-hopped, partly already during active fermentation, so aroma weighs more than bitterness.
The BJCP describes it as heavy dry hopping with varying doses and temperatures, aimed at depth in hop aroma and hop flavor rather than at bitterness. Hops added only after the boil release hardly any iso-alpha acids.
With a classic IPA a larger part of the hops goes into the boil, and that is precisely where bitterness arises.
Why is a NEIPA cloudy?
The haze arises because polyphenols from the dry hop bind to proteins from starchy grains, not because yeast is floating in it.
The BJCP is outspoken about it: a haze with sheen is part of it, a muddy, dull mess is not. Starch haze or floating yeast count as a fault, not a characteristic.
Oats and wheat provide the proteins the style needs. That is why a NEIPA is often closer to a wheat beer in mouthfeel than to a classic IPA.
How much alcohol is in a NEIPA?
According to the BJCP guidelines, a hazy IPA is at 6 to 9% vol, against 5.5 to 7.5% vol for an American IPA.
A NEIPA is therefore slightly heavier on average. That fits the picture: more residual sweetness and more body carry the hop aroma and dampen the bitterness.
Colour is a second difference that you notice straight away. An American IPA falls between 6 and 14 SRM and is usually clear gold to amber; a NEIPA is paler and opaque.
What does IBU actually measure?
IBU stands for International Bitterness Units and measures the amount of iso-alpha acids in the beer, not the bitterness you taste.
The perceived bitterness also depends on residual sweetness, body and carbonation. For hazy IPA, the BJCP literally writes that the bitterness is often masked by the fuller body and the soft finish.
An NEIPA of 50 IBU can therefore taste softer than a dry IPA of 45 IBU. The number is an indication, not a verdict.
From the shop in Bathmen
Which IPAs are there in Bathmen?
In the shop in Bathmen there are 47 IPAs from 28 different brands from 8 countries. Prices range from € 1.45 to € 3.99. The alcohol percentage ranges from 0.2% to 8.5%.
- 't Zwarte Schoap Niej Schoap! IPA 6% · 33 cl · Netherlands
- Baptist IPA 6.7% · 33 cl · Belgium
- Brand IPA 7% · 33 cl · Netherlands
- Brand IPA 0.0 30 cl · Netherlands
- Brasserie d'Achouffe Chouffe Houblon 6.5% · 33 cl · Belgium
- Brewdog Hazy Jane 5% · 33 cl · Scotland
- Brewdog Punk IPA 5.6% · 33 cl · Scotland
- Brouwerij 't IJ Calypso Session IPA 4% · 33 cl · Netherlands
- Brouwerij 't Ij Free IPA alcoholvrij bier 0.5% · 33 cl · Netherlands
- Brouwerij 't IJ IPA 7% · 33 cl · Netherlands
Related questions
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Short answer
Short answers to related questions
- What does NEIPA stand for?
- New England IPA, named after the region in the United States where the style originated. The BJCP calls the style hazy IPA.
- Is a NEIPA less bitter than an IPA?
- Yes, 25 to 60 IBU versus 40 to 70 IBU. The fuller body makes the bitterness less noticeable.
- What is dry hopping?
- Adding hops after or during fermentation, at low temperature. That yields aroma without adding much bitterness.
- May a NEIPA contain yeast particles?
- A good NEIPA is hazy because of polyphenols and protein. Suspended yeast or starch haze count as a fault in the style description.
- How long does a NEIPA stay at its best?
- Short. The hop aroma that the style revolves around is the first thing to fade in storage, especially with heat and light.
The reasoning
Sources
- 21A American IPA, Beer Style Guidelines 2021, Beer Judge Certification Program (accessed 2026-09-05)
- 21C Hazy IPA, Beer Style Guidelines 2021, Beer Judge Certification Program (accessed 2026-09-05)
- The chemistry of beer aging: a critical review, Food Chemistry, 2006 (accessed 5 September 2026)
- Biersoorten, Nederlandse Brouwers (accessed 2026-09-05)
This page was written and checked by ’t Bockje Bathmen, wine and spirits shop at Brink 2 in Bathmen. Last updated on 7 September 2026.
Verkoop van alcohol onder de 18 jaar is verboden. NIX18.