Most people are familiar with the stars of the IPA world: Hazy IPAs like our best-selling Hazy Little Thing, and West Coast IPAs like our classic Torpedo Extra IPA.
But there’s a full spectrum of flavors, aromas, colors, and drinking experiences in the IPA category, from bright and clean to rich and malty, from straw-colored to black as night. Today, we’re exploring two delicious but lesser-known styles: Red IPA vs. Brown IPA.
What is a Red IPA?
Red IPA is similar to American IPA, but with an addition of specialty malt, often crystal or chocolate, lending the beer a slight malt character with notes of caramel or toast. Thanks to this malt bill, a Red IPA can look like its cousin, the approachable Amber Ale. But don’t let the color fool you: this beer is known for bold hop flavor and moderate to high bitterness. Think of it as a bridge between IPA and Amber Ale—bold, clean, and refreshing hop character with subtle malt sweetness and depth.
Our Flipside Red IPA is considered a cult classic of the style. Brewed with a complex and unique bill of five malts and five hops, it’s bold but balanced with citrus-tropical hop flavors and malty sweetness. We don’t brew it often, but when we do…well, our fans don’t hold back.
What is a Brown IPA?
A rarer style, Brown IPA is like a Brown Ale with the hops dialed up. Brewed with dark malts, this beer is a roasty-toasty IPA, often with notes of cocoa or espresso. But thanks to its hop bill, the beer isn’t sweet. Rather, its prominent hop bitterness makes it clean, dry, and drinkable, with hop flavors ranging from citrus-floral to tropical or berry.
Red vs. Brown IPA: Flavor Comparison
Red IPA and Brown IPA share the same premise: a hop-forward IPA with a touch of malt character. The difference is in the expression. Red IPA will have warmer caramel-toast malt sweetness, while a Brown IPA will have dry, roasty notes of cocoa or espresso.
Both beers are great options when you’re looking for the clean and bitter bite of an IPA but with the unique flavors and depth that only malt can bring.
