Hop Horizons
Beer Style Information
Belgian-style IPA
There are 104 different Belgian-style IPA listed on Hop Horizons, with a weighted average score of 61.4%.
What is a Belgian-Style IPA?
Belgian-style IPAs are what happen when American hops crash a Trappist dinner party. Imagine all the juicy, citrusy, piney flavours of a modern IPA - now add peppery spice, clove, banana and a dry, bubbly finish from classic Belgian yeast. It’s bold, fruity, spicy and just a little bit eccentric (in the best way).
This hybrid style blends two brewing traditions into something fresh: Belgian fermentation character meets assertive hop bitterness. The result? A beer that’s dry, lively and sometimes a little wild - but always flavourful.
How It’s Brewed
Brewers start with a Belgian ale base - often golden or tripel-like in strength and colour - and layer in generous additions of modern hops, especially from the US or NZ. Yeast is crucial here: expect esters (banana, pear, bubblegum) and phenolics (clove, pepper), all dancing around the hops.
ABVs tend to sit between 6.0% and 9.0%, though most examples hover around 7.0–7.5%. Bitterness can range from moderate to punchy and carbonation is typically high, giving the beer a dry, crisp finish despite all that complexity.
Famous Examples
This is a relatively modern style, but there are some excellent benchmarks out there:
- Houblon Chouffe Dobbelen IPA Tripel (Belgium) – Spicy, strong and full of hops.
- Brasserie Dupont Triomfbier (Belgium) – Herbal, yeasty and bitter.
- Flying Dog Raging Bitch (USA) – Tropical hops meet Belgian yeast in chaotic harmony.
- Stone Cali-Belgique (USA) – West Coast IPA meets Belgian flair.
How Belgian-Style IPA Differs from Similar Styles
Compared to a classic American IPA, the Belgian version is drier, fruitier and spicier - less focus on malt body and more on fermentation complexity. The bitterness can still be high, but the perception is softened by the esters and phenols.
It's also distinct from a Tripel or Strong Golden Ale - those focus on yeast character and malt balance, with little hop presence. Belgian IPAs, by contrast, lean into bitterness and modern hop aroma while still retaining that unmistakable Belgian identity.
Food Pairings
This is a great beer for flavour-packed veggie dishes - think spicy falafel, Thai green curry or herby grilled aubergine. The hop bitterness cuts through richness, while the yeast character plays well with aromatic spices and tangy sauces.
Style Stats (Typical Ranges)
- ABV: 6.0% – 9.0%
- IBU (Bitterness): 40 – 70
- Colour (SRM): 6 – 10 (pale gold to light amber)
- Carbonation: High
FAQs About Belgian-Style IPA
Is Belgian IPA the same as a Tripel?
Nope. Tripels are sweeter, stronger and much less hop-focused. Belgian IPAs borrow the yeast profile but crank up the hops for a bitter, fruity hybrid.
Is it a Belgian beer or an American one?
Both! The style originated from both American craft brewers experimenting with Belgian yeast and Belgian brewers exploring modern hop profiles. It’s a true transatlantic love child.
Is it always strong?
Generally yes - it’s not usually a session beer. Most Belgian IPAs clock in between 6–9%, with a dry finish that makes them seem deceptively drinkable.
Beers of This Style
Click or tap on the brewery, ABV or score headers to sort by that column.
| Beer | Brewery | ABV | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poperings Hommel Bier (aged 7 years) | Van Eecke | 7.5% | on deck |
| Super 8 IPA | Haacht | 6.0% | on deck |
| La Goudale IPA | Les Brasseurs de Gayant | 7.2% | 13.85% |
| Crusader | Milestone | 4.3% | 35.16% |
| Avaans Kveik IPA (for Beer52) | De Proefbrouwerij | 5.5% | 40.77% |
| Crop Collector | Two Chefs | 5.5% | 42.43% |
| Hop von Bourian | Elliott Bay | 5.8% | 43.12% |
| IPA | Brand | 7.0% | 44.10% |
| XX Bitter | De Ranke | 6.2% | 46.27% |
| Tramp Stamp | Clown Shoes | 7.0% | 46.68% |
| La Grognarde | Sainte-Hélène | 5.5% | 46.76% |
| El Hopadillo Negro | Karbach | 7.0% | 47.17% |
| Belgian IPA | Gordon Biersch (New Orleans) | 7.0% | 47.20% |
| Van Dammage Belgian IPA | Mondo | 6.0% | 48.81% |
| Roshambo Belgian Style IPA | Karbach | 7.5% | 48.95% |
| Klooster IPA | De Bekeerde Suster | 6.2% | 49.38% |
| Belgian Urban IPA | Tiny Rebel | 5.5% | 49.55% |
| IPA Green Killer | Brasserie de Silly | 6.5% | 49.79% |
| Hop Classic | Six°North | 6.6% | 49.96% |
| That's Your Left Hand Sir | Rivington | 6.7% | 50.47% |
| Paljas IPA | Henricus | 6.0% | 51.19% |
| IPA (Citra Enigma) | Lowlander | 6.0% | 52.48% |
| Brigand IPA | Van Honsebrouck | 6.5% | 52.69% |
| Now or Never | Brussels Beer Project | 4.3% | 52.90% |
| Poperings Hommel Bier | Van Eecke | 7.5% | 53.38% |
| Jack's Precious IPA | De Musketiers | 5.9% | 54.71% |
| Kohu | Elusive | 7.2% | 54.75% |
| Rainbow IPA | Siren | 7.9% | 55.19% |
| Skeleton Crew | Sonnet 43 / S43 | 6.7% | 55.37% |
| Mooie Nel IPA / Northsea IPA | Jopen | 6.5% | 55.46% |
| Hop Hop Hop | La Brasserie du Caou | 7.0% | 55.50% |
| Gaspar | Alvinne | 8.0% | 55.52% |
| Pacifica | Tenby Brewing Co. | 4.6% | 56.12% |
| SloCK | De Graal | 6.5% | 56.23% |
| Zenne-like (w/ De La Senne) | Magic Rock | 6.5% | 56.46% |
| Gouden Carolus Hopsinjoor | Het Anker | 8.0% | 57.40% |
| Kasteel Hoppy | Van Honsebrouck | 6.5% | 57.64% |
| Mixhop | Saint-Monon | 6.5% | 58.04% |
| Sky Mountain Sour (w/ To Øl) | Buxton | 4.9% | 58.22% |
| Buffalo Belgian Bitter | Van Den Bossche | 8.5% | 58.34% |
| Brel Belgian Style IPA | Williams Brothers | 5.7% | 58.77% |
| Oddbins No. 6: Belgian IPA | Six°North | 6.6% | 59.00% |
| Cali-Belgique IPA | Stone | 6.9% | 60.37% |
| Leffe Royale: Cascade IPA | Abbaye de Leffe | 7.5% | 60.53% |
| Houblen Dobbelen IPA Tripel | Ticketybrew | 8.5% | 60.55% |
| IPA | 't IJ | 7.0% | 60.95% |
| Eurotrash | Heavy Industry | 5.5% | 61.79% |
| Blonde | L'Arogante | 7.2% | 61.83% |
| Why Can't IBU? | Stillwater Artisinal Ales | 5.7% | 61.93% |
| Miss Hooter | Uiltje | 4.4% | 62.13% |
| Je Never Walk Alone (w/ Oersoep) | BrewDog | 6.5% | 62.81% |
| Full House Belgian IPA | Blackjack | 9.2% | 63.78% |
| Lupulus (7.5% version) | Les Trois Fourquets | 7.5% | 63.79% |
| t Smisje Plus Dubbel IPA | De Regenboog | 10.0% | 63.84% |
| Valeir Extra | Contreras | 6.5% | 63.98% |
| Eem XTReem Rosebud | De Eem | 6.6% | 64.27% |
| Jiang Shi | Six°North | 8.0% | 64.43% |
| Extra Restyled | Alvinne | 7.0% | 64.88% |
| Dog Meets Fox (w/ Kettu) | Masis | 6.3% | 65.03% |
| Chouffe Houblon Dobbelen IPA Tripel | d'Achouffe | 9.0% | 65.04% |
| Pick Your King - Belgian IPA | Burning Sky | 6.5% | 65.11% |
| Hercule Bergé | Williams Brothers | 7.4% | 65.54% |
| IPA Belga | Belsh | 8.0% | 65.77% |
| Belle-Fleur | De Dochter van de Korenaar | 6.0% | 65.83% |
| Piraat Amber | Van Steenberge | 10.5% | 65.94% |
| Vedett Extra Ordinary IPA | Duvel Moortgat | 5.5% | 66.02% |
| Belgian Coast IPA (w/ Green Flash) | St. Feuillien | 7.2% | 66.21% |
| Golden Tricky | Brouwers Verzet | 7.5% | 66.43% |
| Troubadour Magma | De Musketiers | 9.0% | 66.59% |
| Blond IPA | Grand-Café Emelisse | 5.8% | 66.74% |
| Belgica | Great Divide | 7.2% | 67.17% |
| Hopus | Lefèbvre | 8.3% | 67.32% |
| Sinergia '19 (w/ Spencer) | Tre Fontane | 7.3% | 67.37% |
| Bink Hop Verdomme IPA | Kerkom | 7.0% | 67.46% |
| Viven Master IPA | Van Viven | 7.0% | 67.49% |
| Squirrel Orchestra | MONYO | 6.7% | 67.67% |
| Meer Koebel | Buffalo Bayou | 9.1% | 67.78% |
| Surfing Monk | Summer Wine | 6.5% | 67.81% |
| Raging Bitch Belgian-Style India Pale Ale | Flying Dog | 8.3% | 67.95% |
| Walloon | Gipsy Hill | 7.0% | 68.13% |
| Belgian IPA | Juguetes Perdidos | 6.5% | 69.45% |
| Reckless Renegade | Nornir | 6.0% | 69.78% |
| Svea IPA | De Struise | 7.0% | 70.33% |
| Delirium Argentum | Huyghe | 7.0% | 70.84% |
| Queboid | Hardknott | 8.0% | 71.39% |
| Sow the Seeds (w/ Siren) | Abbeydale | 5.5% | 71.55% |
| West Coast IPA (Belgian version, w/ St. Feuillien) | Green Flash | 8.1% | 71.57% |
| Amer-Amer | De Ranke | 6.0% | 71.93% |
| Ignis & Flamma | De Struise | 7.0% | 72.02% |
| Leffe Royale: Mount Hood | Abbaye de Leffe | 7.5% | 72.16% |
| Pale, Oak & Bold | Black Hammer | 6.9% | 72.39% |
| Delta IPA | Brussels Beer Project | 6.5% | 72.62% |
| Heavy Summer Belgian Style IPA (Columbus) | Mad Hatter | 9.0% | 72.82% |
| Anglo-Belgique IPA (Belgian Series No. V) | Buxton | 6.8% | 73.51% |
| American Monastic | Clown Shoes | 8.5% | 75.72% |
| Préaris IPA (No Hops No Glory) | Vliegende Paard | 6.7% | 76.81% |
| Duvel Tripel Hop 2015 (Equinox) | Duvel Moortgat | 9.5% | 76.96% |
| Urthel Hop-It | De Leyerth | 9.5% | 77.00% |
| Duvel Tripel Hop 2014 (Mosaic) | Duvel Moortgat | 9.5% | 77.07% |
| Duvel Tripel Hop 2013 (Sorachi Ace) | Duvel Moortgat | 9.5% | 77.31% |
| Yeastus Christus | To Øl | 7.4% | 79.32% |
| Le Freak | Green Flash | 9.2% | 80.78% |
| Duvel Tripel Hop (Citra) | Duvel Moortgat | 9.5% | 82.92% |
| Piraat Amber (aged 7 yyears) | Van Steenberge | 10.5% | 83.80% |