The International Bitterness Units scale, or simply IBU scale, provides a measure of the bitterness of beer, which is provided by the hops used during brewing. An IBU is one part per million of isohumulone — the higher the number, the greater the bitterness.
A light American lager might be as low as 5 on the scale, while a barley wine can range up to 100. Measures for other beverages are below.
The bittering effect is less noticeable in beers with a high quantity of malted barley, so a higher IBU is needed in heavier beers to balance the flavor. For example, an Imperial Stout may have an IBU of 50, but will taste less bitter than an English Bitter with an IBU of 30, because the first beer uses much more malt than the second. The technical limit for IBU's is around 100, others have tried to surpass this number but there is no real gauge after 100 IBUs when it comes to taste threshold.
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This list was last updated 4 April 2007.
Beer Style
IBU
Altbier Hybrid*
24-30
American Dark Lager
14-20
American Lager
5-15
American Light Lager
8-17
American Premium Lager
13-23
American Wheat
10-17
Barley Wine
50-100
Belgian Brown Ale
15-25
Belgian Dubbel
10-25
Belgian Tripels
14-25
Berliner Weisse
3-6
Bitter, Extra Special
30-35
Bitter, Ordinary
20-25
Bock Lager
25-28
Bock, German Lager
20-30
Bock, Helles (Pale) Lager
20-35
Brown Ale
15-20
Brown Ale, American
25-60
Brown Ale, English
15-25
California Common
33-45
Cream Ale Hybrid
10-18
Dopplebock Lager
17-27
Dortmunder/Export Lager
23-29
Dunkel Lager
16-25
English Mild
14-20
English Old/Strong Ale
30-40
Fruit Beer Hybrid
Varies
German Hefeweizen
10-16
Herb and Spice Beer
Varies
Imperial Stout
50-80
India Pale Ale (IPA)
40-60
Kolsch Hybrid
20-30
Lambics
11-23
Light Ale
10-15
Marzen/Octoberfest Lager
22-28
Munich Dunkel Lager
14-24
Munich Helles Lager
18-25
Pale Ale, American
20-40
Pale Ale. Classic
20-40
Pale Ale, English
20-40
Pilsner, Classic Lager
35-45
Pilsner, Czech Lager
35-43
Pilsner, German Lager
30-40
Porter
20-60
Porter, Robust
25-40
Rauchbier
20-25
Saison
20-30
Scotch Strong Ale
25-35
Scottish Brown
5-20
Scottish Export
15-20
Scottish Heavy
12.17
Scottish Light Ale
10-15
Smoked Beer
20-30
Stout, Dry
30-35
Stout, Sweet (Cream)
15-25
Vienna Lager
18-25
Weizenbock
10-20
Weizen
13-17
*Hybird Beer: Brewed with either lager or ale yeast.
