What Is a Double IPA Beer? Everything You Need to Know
Ever stood in front of a tap list and thought to yourself, what is a double IPA, and why does everyone seem to talk about it?
Maybe you already enjoy regular IPAs, but every now and then, you want something with more attitude—something stronger, bolder, and impossible to ignore. That curiosity is what led so many beer fans to discover the double IPA.
The first time you try an IPA, you might notice how the hops seem brighter, the body feels fuller, and there is an extra kick you do not get with anything else. Double IPAs were not made for people who settle; they were created for those who want to turn things up a notch.
At Coronado Brewing Co., we know what it feels like to chase after the best double IPA or debate double IPA vs IPA with friends at the bar.
We have built our story around adventure and the idea that there is always something new to discover in the world of craft beer. If you are the kind of person who searches for big flavor, intense hops, and something you will remember, you are not alone.
Every great pint has a story, and this one starts with a question: What happens when you ask for more?
Key Takeaways
- What is a double IPA? A double IPA means bolder hops, higher ABV (7.5% - 10%), and a fuller body than a standard IPA.
- The term ”imperial IPA” is often used interchangeably with double IPA.
- The brewing process for a DIPA uses more hops at every stage and a bigger malt bill to balance intensity.
- Double IPA vs IPA: DIPAs bring more bitterness, aroma, and strength—perfect for those who like their beer loud and clear.
- The best double IPA balances big hops with a strong malt backbone.
- Coronado Brewing Co. creates double IPAs designed for hop lovers who want more from every sip.
What Is a Double IPA?
What is a double IPA? To many, it is a brew that brings some serious attitude to the world of beer.
A double IPA is all about big flavor, with extra hops, more strength, and a bolder personality than your average IPA. Hops take center stage, showing off bursts of citrus and tropical fruit, while the bitterness lets you know this beer did not come to play.
Double IPA beer backs up the bravado with an ABV that usually lands between 7.5% and 10%, just enough to keep things interesting. The real trick is how it still goes down smooth, thanks to a malt backbone that throws in a bit of caramel or biscuit sweetness to even out the ride.
The best double IPA never tries to overwhelm. It brings that perfect mix of fun, bold flavor, and a finish that makes you want another.
If you’re still asking the question “What is a DIPA?”, know that it’s much more than just a stronger beer.
It is a style that brings together hop lovers who believe there is always room for bigger flavor and more adventure in a glass. That is exactly the spirit we love to celebrate at Coronado Brewing.
The Origins of Double IPA
In the mid-1990s, the West Coast craft beer scene was buzzing with innovation.
Brewers were eager to push the boundaries of traditional beer styles, leading to the creation of the Double IPA, also known as the imperial IPA.
The inception of this bold style is credited to Vinnie Cilurzo, who, in 1994, brewed the first Double IPA at Blind Pig Brewing Company in Temecula, California. His "Inaugural Ale" was a response to the desire for beers with intensified hop flavors and higher alcohol content. This pioneering brew laid the foundation for what would become a staple in the craft beer industry.
Following this, breweries like Russian River and Stone Brewing embraced the Double IPA style. Russian River's "Pliny the Elder" and Stone's "Ruination IPA" became iconic representations of the style, known for their robust hop profiles and elevated ABV.
These beers captivated enthusiasts seeking more intense flavors and complexity in their brews.
The popularity of Double IPAs grew rapidly, with festivals like the Hayward Double IPA Festival, established in 2000, celebrating the style's bold characteristics. This festival played a significant role in promoting Double IPAs and solidifying their place in the craft beer landscape.
At Coronado Brewing Co., we were inspired by this wave of innovation. Drawing from our coastal roots and passion for brewing, we embraced the Double IPA style, crafting beers that reflect the adventurous spirit of the West Coast craft beer movement.
Key Characteristics of a Double IPA
A double IPA beer always aims to impress. Here’s what sets it apart:
- Hops: A double IPA beer is all about the hops, and you can taste it in every sip. Expect bold citrus flavors like grapefruit, orange, and lemon, along with pine, resin, and even tropical notes such as mango and passionfruit. Hop selection matters here, with brewers often reaching for punchy American varieties. The hop aroma fills the glass long before the first sip, giving each pour a fresh, inviting kick.
- Malt Backbone: With all that hop power, a solid malt backbone is a must. Brewers add more malt, including pale and specialty varieties, to create a beer that can balance out the intense bitterness. The result is a subtle sweetness—think caramel, biscuit, or even a hint of honey—that keeps the beer from tasting harsh or one-dimensional.
- Fuller Body: The extra malt does more than balance flavor; it gives the beer a richer, heavier mouthfeel. A double IPA feels bigger and smoother on your palate, which adds to its overall drinkability and satisfaction.
- Higher Carbonation: Double IPAs usually have higher carbonation, which lifts the bold hop aromas and keeps the beer lively. Those tiny bubbles help spread flavors across your tongue and refresh your palate, sip after sip.
- ABV: The alcohol content is a big part of the style’s appeal. Most double IPAs clock in between 7.5% and 10% ABV, delivering noticeable strength while still remaining balanced. This makes the style stand out from regular IPAs, offering a more robust, memorable experience for anyone who loves big flavors.
Each sip of double IPA delivers complexity and satisfaction. At Coronado Brewing, we chase that balance: bold but drinkable, never harsh.
Brewing Process of a Double IPA
Selecting the Right Ingredients
The heart of any double IPA beer is its ingredients:
- Malts: The malt bill in a double IPA beer is a balancing act. Pale malts provide a clean, crisp base that keeps the beer golden and clear. Specialty malts like Munich or Vienna are sometimes added for more depth, lending a richer body and a touch of sweetness—think toasty bread, caramel, or even honey notes. The goal is to keep the beer from feeling harsh, giving the hops a smooth stage to shine.
- Hops: Hops are the soul of every double IPA beer, and brewers get creative with their selections. Varieties like Citra, Simcoe, Mosaic, and Amarillo are favorites because they pack in bold aromas and distinct flavors, ranging from zesty grapefruit to tropical fruit and pine. Brewers seek out high-alpha acid hops because they deliver extra bitterness, which helps double IPAs stand out from the crowd. These hops are often added in huge amounts, both during the boil and after fermentation, to ensure each sip bursts with fresh aroma and that signature hop bite.
- Yeast: Yeast selection is crucial for a double IPA. Clean, high-attenuation yeast strains like American Ale yeast are preferred, as they can handle the higher sugar content created by all that malt. These yeasts ferment thoroughly, producing a dry finish and allowing the hop and malt flavors to remain front and center without adding too much residual sweetness. Some strains can even enhance fruity aromas from the hops, making the final beer even more inviting.
- Water: Water chemistry is the hidden key in double IPA brewing. Brewers adjust mineral content, especially sulfates, to sharpen hop character and make bitterness crisp rather than harsh. A water profile with higher sulfates brings out the best in the hops, helping the beer feel bright, clean, and refreshing even with all its complexity.
Increased Hop Additions
What is a DIPA if not a showcase for hops? Brewing double IPA beer is all about creative hop use at every step.
Brewers start by adding a big dose of hops during the boil. This sets the foundation for the beer’s bitterness and gives a solid structure to build on.
After boiling but before cooling, brewers toss in even more hops. This technique, called whirlpool hopping, amps up the fresh aroma and brings out juicy, vibrant flavors without adding harsh bitterness.
Once fermentation is done, brewers go all in with dry hopping. This means dumping in generous amounts of hops directly into the fermenter. Dry hopping releases the classic citrus, pine, and tropical fruit notes that make double IPA beer so unforgettable.
Some brewers take it up a notch and dry hop their DIPA not just once, but two or even three times. Each round adds another layer of aroma and flavor, creating a beer that feels fresh and complex every time you open a bottle or pour a pint.
This multi-stage hop approach is what gives a double IPA beer that signature punch—intense, bright, and always interesting. It is a labor of love, but the payoff is a beer with depth, excitement, and a flavor profile that hop fans crave.
Higher Malt Bill and Gravity
A double IPA needs more malt than a regular IPA. More malt means a higher original gravity, which creates a dense, sugar-rich starting point for fermentation. This step is crucial in double IPA beer, since a big malt bill provides the fermentable sugars needed to reach the higher alcohol content that defines the style.
The bigger malt presence also translates into a fuller, more satisfying body. It gives each pour a rich, almost chewy texture, balancing out the intense bitterness from all those hops and making sure the beer feels complete, not harsh.
To keep the beer from turning overly sweet, brewers often use a small amount of simple sugar, like dextrose or corn sugar. These sugars ferment completely, boosting alcohol content without adding heaviness or extra sweetness, so the double IPA beer stays bold and drinkable.
A well-crafted double IPA uses malt not only for strength, but also for balance and complexity. Caramel, bread, and honey flavors in the background support the hops, letting both sides shine. This careful balance is one reason the best double IPA beers are so memorable.
Fermentation and Conditioning
The wort in double IPA beer is packed with sugar, making yeast work harder and stretching fermentation out longer than a standard IPA, leading to a fuller, more complex brew.
Consistent temperature is also key for fermentation in double IPA beer, since temperature swings can create unwanted flavors and hurt the beer’s clean hop profile.
Double IPA beer benefits from longer conditioning at cold temperatures, which mellows any sharp edges and produces a finished beer that is smoother and more balanced. Many double IPA beers are unfiltered, so careful handling throughout the process keeps flavors fresh and helps maintain a clear, vibrant appearance in your glass.
Double IPA vs. Regular IPA
A side-by-side comparison shows exactly why double IPA beer stands out from a regular IPA. Here is a breakdown of the biggest differences:
When might you pick one over the other?
- Choose double IPA beer when you want a big, bold beer to sip slowly or pair with spicy dishes, blue cheese, or grilled meats. Its complex flavors hold up to hearty meals and late-night tasting sessions.
- Choose regular IPA when you want a lighter, more sessionable beer for warm afternoons, outdoor gatherings, or long conversations. It is ideal for relaxed sipping, easy pairing, or when you want to try more than one.
Both styles have their place, but if you are chasing intensity, richness, and a full-on hop experience, double IPA beer is the go-to. For a versatile, easy-going beer that never overwhelms, classic IPA always fits the bill.
Popular Double IPAs to Try
If you want to know what a truly great double IPA beer tastes like, start your search with these five standout examples. Each beer brings its own take on high hops, bold flavor, and unforgettable balance. Explore tasting notes, ABV, and find direct links for more info or to buy.
1. Big Weekend – Coronado Brewing Co.
ABV: 8.8% | IBU: 62
Tasting Notes: Juicy waves of mango, pineapple, and passionfruit, supported by floral hops and a clean, slightly sweet malt backbone.
Why it stands out: This West Coast double IPA beer is our signature celebration of tropical hops and smooth drinkability.
Find it: Use our Brew Finder or learn more here.
2. Pliny the Elder – Russian River Brewing Company
ABV: 8.0% | IBU: 100
Tasting Notes: Pine, orange peel, and floral notes with a super dry, clean finish and assertive, lingering bitterness.
Why it stands out: Pliny is the OG DIPA—a legend thanks to perfect balance and bright, clean hops.
Find it: Beer Finder
3. Wild Child - McIlhenney Brewing
ABV: 8.4% | IBU: N/A
Tasting Notes: Grapefruit pith, papaya, and peach overlay dank pine and diesel-herb notes, finishing bone-dry with a firm, lingering resinous bitterness.
Why it stands out: It grabbed a silver medal in the Imperial IPA category at the 2025 San Diego County Fair Craft Brew Competition.
Find it: Check local retailers.
4. 90 Minute IPA – Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
ABV: 9.0% | IBU: 90
Tasting Notes: Raisin and caramel malt flavors layered with pine and grass, all balanced by steady, smooth bitterness.
Why it stands out: The continuous hopping technique creates complexity and an almost warming, rounded finish.
Find it: Find 90 Minute IPA
5. Hopslam Ale – Bell’s Brewery
ABV: 10.0% | IBU: 65
Tasting Notes: A blend of six hops brings citrus, floral, and grapefruit notes; honey offers gentle sweetness for a rich yet easy-drinking finish.
Why it stands out: Hopslam is a seasonal favorite, packed with aroma and just enough malt to keep everything in balance.
Find it: Bell’s Beer Finder
Looking for more options? Browse Coronado’s Beer Collection or check our Brew Finder for new releases and special drops near you.
Pairing Food with Double IPAs
Double IPAs are built for flavor, and that makes them a perfect match for bold food:
- Spicy Foods: Indian curries, Thai noodles, or spicy BBQ. The bitterness and carbonation tame the heat.
- Grilled Meats: Char from the grill meets the beer’s piney notes.
- Rich Dishes: Think blue cheese, creamy sauces, or fried food. A DIPA cuts through fat and richness.
- Tasting Session Tip: Offer salty snacks or sharp cheeses to let those hop flavors shine. Try a flight with friends and experiment.
Which Double IPA Beer Will You Try First?
There is something memorable about your first taste of a double IPA beer.
The bold hops, the strong malt backbone, and the unmistakable intensity make this style a favorite among adventurous beer drinkers.
Double IPA beer is for those who crave flavor and complexity that keeps you coming back for more.
Ready to take the next step and discover the best double IPA for your taste?
At Coronado Brewing Co., we have spent years perfecting our own lineup of imperial IPA and double IPA beers, always pushing for more aroma, more flavor, and more character in every sip.
Visit our tasting room or check out our Beer Collection to experience what makes a DIPA special. Every pint is a chance to find a new favorite.
FAQs
What is a double IPA?
So, what is a double IPA beer? A double IPA beer, or DIPA, takes the basic IPA recipe and doubles down on hops and strength. The result is a stronger, hoppier beer with ABV ranging from 7.5% to 10% and bold, layered flavors.
What is the difference between a double IPA and an imperial IPA?
Most brewers use "double IPA" and "imperial IPA" interchangeably. Both mean bigger, bolder, and stronger IPAs.
How does a double IPA compare to a regular IPA?
Double IPAs deliver more hops, higher alcohol, fuller body, and more intense aroma than a regular IPA. Think of it as an IPA on overdrive.
What foods pair well with double IPAs?
Spicy dishes, grilled meats, and rich cheeses work best. The bitterness of a DIPA cuts through strong flavors and refreshes your palate.
What is a DIPA?
DIPA stands for double IPA, a beer style known for high hops, stronger alcohol content, and a robust flavor profile.