India Pale Ale (or IPA) isn’t just one beer style anymore. It’s a universe of hoppy delights that range from crisp and bitter to hazy and juicy, from easy-drinking to potent hop bombs. At Tun Brewing Co., we love exploring this diverse category: from our Modern English IPA to our juicy New England IPA (NEIPA), and soon, a Session IPA and West Coast IPA will join the line-up. But what sets all these apart? Let’s break it down.
What Is an IPA Anyway?
At its core, an India Pale Ale is a type of pale ale that emphasises hops (both in aroma and flavour) and typically has higher bitterness and moderate to high alcohol content compared to standard pale ales. The style traces its origins back to 19th-century England, when extra hops and alcohol helped preserve beer on long sea voyages to India – hence the name. Over time, brewers all over the world evolved the style, giving rise to dozens of interpretations.
But despite all the variations, the unifying theme remains: bold hop character. That hop profile can express itself differently depending on where the beer style was developed, how it’s brewed, and what ingredients are used. Let’s have a look at a few of the different types.
English IPA: Where It All Began
So of course we have to start with the English IPA, since this was the original expression of the style. Rooted in 19th-century British brewing, English IPAs are defined by balance, structure, and integrated bitterness rather than sheer hop intensity.
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Earthy, herbal, and floral hop character: Often with gentle citrus notes from traditional British varieties. Bitterness is firm but rounded, designed to complement rather than overwhelm. Unlike many American IPAs, the focus is on harmony between hops and malt.
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Iconic malt backbone: English IPAs typically feature biscuit, toast, or light caramel notes, giving the beer depth and a subtle sweetness that supports the hops.
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Balanced mouthfeel: They are usually clear, amber to golden in colour, and medium-bodied, finishing dry but smooth, with a refined, balanced character.
Modern English IPA
While “Modern English IPA” is not a formally recognised style, it describes beers that build on the BJCP-defined English IPA template while incorporating contemporary hop varieties and modern hopping techniques. The result retains traditional balance and malt structure but may express brighter fruit notes and fresher aromatics – evolving the style without losing its identity.
The style features higher hop aromatics, increased use of late-hopping or dry-hopping techniques, and a lighter, brighter colour, while still maintaining a more restrained, balanced, and malty profile compared to the original style. While historical IPAs were often stronger and heavily bittered for preservation, modern versions focus on flavour and aroma, sometimes blurring the lines with pale ales.
At Tun Brewing, this approach is captured in Archetype, our Modern English IPA, which blends classic English balance with modern hop expression to create a beer that feels both rooted in tradition and unmistakably current.
New England IPA (NEIPA): Juicy, Hazy, and Aromatic
The New England IPA (often called NEIPA or Hazy IPA) exploded onto the craft beer scene in the 2010s, with brewers looking to emphasise hop aroma and flavour rather than bitterness.
What Makes It Unique
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Juicy, tropical aroma: Instead of piney or resinous notes, NEIPAs are all about mango, citrus, stone fruit, and floral characters.
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Soft, pillowy mouthfeel: Brewers often add flaked oats or wheat to the grain bill, creating a smooth, rich texture.
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Hazy appearance: The haze isn’t a flaw, it’s part of the style: colloidal proteins, yeast, and hop oils scatter light, giving the beer a cloudy look.
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Lower bitterness: Compared to traditional IPAs, NEIPAs are much less bitter, allowing fruity hop aromatics to shine.
Tun Brewing’s (award winning!) Gem State of Mind exemplifies this style with lush tropical hop character and a smooth finish that keeps drinkers coming back for another sip.
Session IPA: Bold Flavour, Lower Alcohol
One of the most exciting trends in modern beer is Session IPA – a hoppy beer that’s designed to be easy-drinking and lower in alcohol without sacrificing character.
What Defines a Session IPA
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Lower ABV: Typically around 3-5%, making it perfect for extended drinking sessions or social drinking.
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Full hop flavour: Despite lower alcohol, brewers use savvy hopping techniques (including late and dry hopping) to ensure vibrant aroma and flavour.
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Balanced bitterness: The bitterness is noticeable but not overpowering, which is ideal for those who love hops but want something lighter.
Although Tun’s current range doesn’t include a dedicated Session IPA, our New Zealand pale ale, Little Monster from the Id, sits in the broader pale/IPA family with approachable tropical and citrus notes. And with a Session IPA joining the line-up soon (watch this space), we’re doubling down on accessible yet flavourful hoppy beers for all occasions.
West Coast IPA: Crisp, Clean, and Hoppy
At the other end of the IPA spectrum is the West Coast IPA: a style that helped define craft beer in the United States. These beers are hop-loving, bright, and crunchy.
What to Expect
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High bitterness: West Coast IPAs are known for assertive bitterness, often driven by dry hopping and a longer boil.
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Crisp finish: Unlike the soft mouthfeel of NEIPAs, West Coast IPAs are crisp and dry, making them refreshing and punchy.
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Clear appearance: These beers are typically bright and clear, showcasing the brilliant golden or amber hue of the beer.
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Hop profile: Characterful American hops lend pine, resin, citrus, and floral aromas and flavours.
Expect a West Coast IPA from Tun Brewing soon, which will be a perfect complement to the existing Modern English and NEIPA offerings. This new beer will appeal to fans of classic hoppy intensity and invigorating bitterness.
Double IPA: Bigger, Bolder, and Unapologetically Hoppy
A Double IPA (sometimes called an Imperial IPA) takes the core principles of an IPA and turns the volume up.
What that looks like in your glass
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Higher alcohol content: Typically ranging from 7.5-10% ABV or higher, due to an increased amount of malt used. The extra malt also provides a sweeter, more substantial body.
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Carefully balanced: More hops are needed to balance the malt’s sweetness and keep the signature IPA style, which leads to intense hop flavour, aroma and bitterness.
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Two possible approaches: Double IPAs may lean West Coast (clear, bitter, resinous and dry) or Modern (juicy, softer bitterness and tropical fruit) in style. What defines the style isn’t just strength, but concentration: amplified aroma, fuller body, longer finish and a warming alcohol presence that makes Double IPAs beers to sip rather than gulp.
At Tun Brewing, this approach comes to life in Quaternity, our Double IPA that embraces the style’s hallmark intensity while retaining balance and clarity; delivering layered hop expression with the structure needed to let it truly shine.
New Zealand Pale Ale: A Unique Take on Hops
While not technically an IPA, New Zealand Pale Ale deserves a place in this conversation because it shares the hop-forward ethos of IPAs while offering its own regional twist.
Style Characteristics
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Hop-driven fruitiness: NZ Pale Ales showcase hop varieties like Nelson Sauvin, Motueka, and Rakau, which contribute tropical fruit, citrus, passionfruit, and grassy notes.
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Balanced bitterness: These beers are hoppier than traditional pale ales but typically not as bitter or intense as classic IPAs.
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Dry finish: Many NZ Pale Ales go for a clean, dry finish that highlights hop aroma and refreshment.
Tun Brewing’s Little Monster from the Id reflects the tropical, stone-fruit, and citrus character that New Zealand hops are famed for, offering drinkers a bridge between traditional pale ale and IPA styles.
Conclusion: A World of Hops at Tun Brewing
Whether you gravitate toward the balanced character of a Modern English IPA, the juicy haze of a New England IPA, the easy-going nature of a Session IPA, the crisp bite of a West Coast IPA, the bold strength of a Double IPA, or the tropical charm of a New Zealand Pale Ale, the IPA family offers remarkable variety.
At Tun Brewing Co., we’re proud to showcase this diversity, and we’re only just getting started. With exciting new releases on the horizon, the journey through hops is far from over!
