United States
United Kingdom
Key takeaways
What is IBU in beer, and what does IBU stand for?
IBU stands for International Bitterness Units. It measures bittering compounds in beer, particularly those associated with hops. Think of it as a lab reading, not a verdict on the taste.
Malt sweetness, body and other flavours can make bitterness seem softer or sharper, so the number alone can't tell you exactly what you'll experience in the glass.
Beer IBU chart by style
An IBU range shows how much measured bitterness is associated with a style; it doesn't give every beer one fixed number or predict exactly how it will taste. The ranked styles below are ordered by the top of their ranges, highest to lowest. Broad families without one useful range follow separately.
Pinter doesn't list IBU ratings for individual beers, because the number alone can't capture the whole flavour.
10 Ranked beer styles with comparable IBU ranges
Double IPA sits at the high end of this chart. If you enjoy a pronounced hop bite, it's a style to explore. But 100 IBU doesn't automatically mean a beer will taste harsh: malt sweetness and body can soften the bitterness.
Check the flavour description for a better idea of what the beer will be like.
IPA covers a lot of ground. A traditional British IPA tends to sit lower in this range than some modern American examples. Hazy IPA and Double IPA have their own entries below and above, respectively, because they can have quite different bitterness profiles.
If you’re choosing an IPA, the style and flavour notes help narrow it down.
Hazy IPA can bring plenty of hop aroma and flavour without tasting as sharply bitter as you might expect. Its bitterness can feel softer and sit alongside juicy or fruity notes.
The range overlaps with American Pale Ale, so the number won't tell you which one you'll prefer; check the flavour description for clues.
Pilsner can be crisp and gently bitter, or have a more noticeable hop finish. That's why its range is broad.
If the beer is described as German or International Pilsner, that gives you more context; otherwise, look at the flavour notes to see whether it sounds more malt-forward or hop-led.
American Pale Ale brings hop flavour without necessarily reaching the intensity of an IPA. You might notice citrus, pine or fruit, balanced by malt. Its range overlaps with Hazy IPA, but the styles can taste very different.
Use the IBU as a starting point, then see which flavour description sounds more appealing.
British Bitter includes different strengths, from ordinary bitter to extra special bitter, so there's no single number for the whole family. At the lower end, the bitterness tends to be gentler; stronger versions can have a more noticeable hop finish.
Malt remains part of the balance, so a higher number doesn't automatically mean harshness.
A classic English Pale Ale usually has a more moderate bitterness than an American Pale Ale. You can still expect hop flavour, but it tends to share the stage with malt.
If you want to know whether a particular Pale Ale is more floral, citrusy or malty, its flavour description will tell you more than its IBU alone.
Oktoberfest lager has enough bitterness to balance its bready malt character, but the hops don't dominate. The result is a rounded, malt-led beer with a clean finish.
Compared with an IPA, it offers a gentler bitterness, making it a good choice if you want balance rather than a pronounced hop bite.
Porter varies by type. A Brown Porter generally sits towards the lower end of the range, while a Robust Porter can be more bitter. Its dark colour doesn’t automatically mean a bitter taste; roast, malt sweetness and hops all play a part.
Check which kind of Porter you’re looking at before comparing its IBU.
Belgian Wit sits at the lower end of the ranked list. Its hop bitterness is usually restrained, but that doesn't mean the beer lacks character.
IBU only tells you about measured bitterness; it won't describe the rest of the flavour. Read the beer's description for a fuller sense of what to expect.
Styles without one comparable IBU range
Stout includes very different beers, from Cream Stout to Imperial Stout, so one IBU range would be misleading. A higher number can mean more hop bitterness, but roast and malt sweetness also shape the flavour.
If you’re comparing stouts, look at the specific type and its tasting notes rather than relying on “Stout” alone.
Lager is a broad family, not one bitterness level. A Pilsner can have a more noticeable hop finish than some other lagers, which is why it has a separate entry above.
For other styles, such as Mexican or Oktoberfest Lager, check the specific description; "Lager" by itself doesn't tell you how bitter it will taste.
Belgian Dark Ale covers beers with varied recipes and flavour profiles, so one IBU range wouldn't represent them all. A dark colour doesn't tell you how bitter the beer will be, either.
Check the product description for a clearer idea of its malt, hop and fruit character.
The tartness in a Sour Ale comes from acidity, whereas IBU relates to bitterness.
Some Sour Ales have little hop bitterness, while others have more. Since the category covers a wide range of flavours, one number wouldn’t be useful for all of them. What matters more are the tasting notes that describe the beer’s tartness and hop character.
How the beer IBU scale works
1. Compare the upper ends
A style with a higher upper limit can reach a higher measured bitterness. That makes the upper end useful when you’re looking for styles that may have a more pronounced bitter edge.
2. Check for overlap
Ranges don’t always sit neatly apart. In this chart, pale ale and IPA overlap, so their IBU ranges alone can’t tell you which beer will taste more bitter.
3. Use the style and flavour description too
IBU measures bitterness; it doesn’t account for the whole taste. Malt sweetness, body and other flavours affect how bitterness comes across. Use the range to narrow your options, then check the specific beer description to decide what balance of flavours you might enjoy.
Why the IBU number doesn’t tell you exactly how a beer will taste
Two beers can share an IBU and still taste quite different because bitterness is only one part of the flavour balance.
The same number, a different balance
Take an American pale ale and an Oktoberfest lager, both at 25 IBU. The pale ale can bring a more noticeable hop character; the Oktoberfest lager is more malt-led, with bready notes. The bitterness sits alongside different flavours, so the beers won’t taste alike.
Read the beer, not just the number
IBU tells you about a beer’s measured hop bitterness, but it doesn’t describe the flavours that balance it. In a maltier beer, a hint of sweetness can soften the hop bite. In a drier, more hop-forward beer, that bitterness may stand out more. Dark malt can add a roasted bitterness of its own, but colour and alcohol strength don’t tell you how bitter the hops will taste.
ABV and IBU in beer: What’s the difference?
| Measure | What it tells you | What it doesn’t tell you |
|---|---|---|
| ABV | The beer’s alcohol strength | How bitter it tastes |
| IBU | Its measured bitterness | Its alcohol strength or the full flavour you’ll experience |
The two numbers describe different things. A beer can have a high ABV and gentle bitterness, or a lower ABV and a sharper hop bite. To picture how it will taste, use ABV and IBU alongside the beer’s style and flavour description.
Using the chart to find a beer you’ll enjoy
Start with the IBU range to narrow your choices, then check the style and flavour notes. That second step is crucial: two beers with similar IBU figures can balance their bitterness in different ways.
Treat the chart as a shortlist, not a taste guarantee. A brewer’s recipe can make one IPA softer or more bitter than another, even when they share the same style.
Fresh beer is about more than the IBU
IBU can help you compare bitterness, but it’s only one part of choosing a beer. With Pinter, a Fresh Press makes 10 pints of draught beer at home, with styles including IPA, DIPA, lager, stout, porter, Belgian ale and bitter.
Flavour tags such as “crisp” and “hoppy” give you another way to find a beer that suits your taste. And once it’s brewed, your beer stays fresh in the fridge for up to 30 days.
Let the chart guide your next pint
An IBU chart is useful for narrowing down the styles you might enjoy. Higher IBU ranges point to beers that can have more measured bitterness; lower ranges are a sensible place to start if you prefer a gentler hop bite. That said, the number doesn’t tell you how that bitterness will balance with malt sweetness, roasted flavours or a dry finish.
Those details come from the beer’s style and flavour description. And because recipes vary, two beers in the same style can still taste different. Use the chart to choose a direction, then explore the flavours that make each beer distinctive.
Find your next fresh favourite
Use the IBU chart to decide what kind of bitterness you’re in the mood for, then explore our Fresh Press range. Choose from hop-forward IPAs, crisp lagers, rich stouts and more, and make 10 pints of fresh draught beer at home.
SHOP PINTERBeer IBU FAQs
Does every beer label show an IBU?+
No. UK labelling rules require an ABV statement for alcoholic drinks over 1.2%, but don’t require an IBU figure. Some brewers choose to publish one on the can or product page; others describe the beer’s style and flavour instead.
Does dry hopping change a beer’s IBU?+
It can. Dry hopping is mainly used to add hop aroma, but hop compounds added after the boil can also affect measured and perceived bitterness. The effect varies, so “dry-hopped” doesn’t tell you a beer’s IBU on its own.
Can brewers calculate IBU before the beer is made?+
Yes. Brewers can estimate IBU from the recipe and hop additions, then measure a sample of the finished beer. The measured result may differ from the estimate, so a calculated figure is a guide rather than a guaranteed reading.
About the author
Charlie Howsego
Community Executive
As Pinter's Community Executive, Charlie loves nothing more than helping people discover the joy of brewing at home. Through his writing, he shares practical tips, brewing insights, and a genuine passion for fresh beer.