You've probably noticed it — IPAs are everywhere.
But if you’re really into hops, you’ve likely felt that some of them just feel… FLAT... Leaving you wanting so much more! That rich intensity and depth that makes hop-forward beers so exciting often gets watered down, usually because many breweries make choices that go against hop intensity, often for economic reasons. They reduce the amount of hops used, rely on products to improve yield, or choose less expressive varieties, sacrificing aromatic richness.
We all want that vibrant, layered explosion of citrus, tropical fruit, or floral goodness, right? Instead, too often you find just a pale shadow of what hops truly offer. For us serious hop lovers, that leaves a real gap and a craving for beers that truly celebrate hops in all their bold, aromatic glory.
And that, my friends, is precisely why we are introducing the ULTRA IPA: a beer built to deliver hop flavor and aroma turned all the way up, with zero compromises.
Originally known for their bold bitterness, piney hop aromas, and clear appearance, India Pale Ales (IPAs) have been at the center of the craft beer revolution.
As IPAs got more popular, brewers began trying out new hop varieties, heavier dry-hopping, protein-rich malt bills, unique yeast strains, and more. Over the years, IPA became the world’s most popular craft beer style and gave rise to countless variations, including the juicy, fruit-forward hazy IPAs we’ve all come to love.
On the technical side, dry hopping, adding hops during or after fermentation, has become the preferred way to load IPAs with intense hop aroma. It's simply the most effective way (period) to bring vibrant hop flavors into the beer without pulling out harsh bitterness.
As the IPA craze took off, many big industrial breweries jumped on the trend, often cutting corners by labeling beers as “IPAs” despite having little hop character, and often no dry-hopping at all. Unfortunately, some craft brewers even followed this approach, putting out watered-down versions that barely resemble what a true IPA should be.
An IPA is all about the hops. They’re what give the style its bold character and that unforgettable flavor in every single sip. Without that strong hop presence, an IPA just… well, it loses its soul. That very spark that made us fall in love with it in the first place.
Yet here we are in 2025 and many beers labeled as IPAs just don't deliver the distinctive hop intensity that truly makes an IPA an IPA.
Luckily, a dedicated group of craft breweries still push the limits of what an IPA can be. Names like Troon, Fidens, Brujos, North Park, Monkish, Other Half, Tree House, WeldWerks, Parish, Verdant, Cloudwater, Track, Omnipollo — and many more — lead the way. Their fearless talent inspires us every day as we carve our own path forward.
But one question kept bothering us...
Discussions often begin with appearance and the classic battle New England/Hazy versus West Coast/Clear. Then it moves on to strength: single, double, triple, even quad. But here’s the thing: none of that really tells you the whole hop story. Just because a beer is hazy doesn't mean it's bursting with hop aroma. And higher alcohol? That certainly doesn't always mean more hop flavor either.
For serious hop lovers, what really counts is the intensity : the rich layers of aroma and flavor that hops can bring to the glass.
Terms like DDH, TDH, and QDH (Double, Triple, Quadruple Dry-Hopped) are also commonly used. But these terms can be a bit ambiguous, as each brewery has its own processes : what one brewery calls “Double Dry-Hopped” might mean a 20 g/L dry-hop, while for another, it could be 12 g/L. As a result, two beers both labeled DDH can have completely different levels of hop intensity. Sometimes worlds apart...
The reality is, there’s no shared standard—no universal baseline to go by.
That’s why we believe it was time for a new standard, one that establishes a clear, measurable benchmark for hop intensity.
ULTRA IPA is crafted specifically for those who demand the fullest hop experience possible.
An ULTRA IPA is a hop-forward beer defined by a minimum dry-hop rate of 30 grams per liter or 8 pounds per barrel.
But why 30 grams per liter? Because at that level, you get maaassive flavor, intense aroma, and rich complexity in every single sip.
At 30 grams per liter, the hops don’t just show up, they take center stage. The impact is bold and unforgettable. This intensity unlocks layers of flavor that move you and spark genuine emotion. Real hop emotion!
This new standard demands true transparency and removes all guesswork when it comes to choosing a beer that truly celebrates hops. In a crowded market full of lookalikes and watered-down IPAs, it stands tall and clear. You can trust you’re getting nothing but pure, unfiltered hop goodness. It also highlights the breweries brave enough to push boundaries and show what an intense IPA can be.
If you’re the kind of beer drinker who seeks that bold hop hit without compromise, who craves complex aromas and flavors that tell a story... ULTRA IPA was made for you.
ULTRA IPA is your unbreakable promise of maximum hop expression. We invite drinkers and brewers around the world to join the movement.
Some of you might remember our Birthday beers : our first bold leap into the 30 g/L hop zone. They were a massive hit.
This summer, we're taking that success to the next level with the official launch of the ULTRA IPA collection. These are evolved versions of our original recipes, brewed for even deeper hop saturation and intensity.
We’re starting strong with two 8% ULTRA IPAs, each loaded with 30 g/L of dry hops and built around four of our favorite hop varieties: Nelson Sauvin, Riwaka, Strata, and Nectaron.
Want to be the first to get your hands on them?
Subscribe to our newsletter and stay tuned for pre-orders!
And soon after, get ready for exclusive collabs with some of Europe’s most iconic breweries.
If you’re a homebrewer or professional ready to craft your first ULTRA IPA recipe, be sure to check out our open-source recipe and brewing guidelines to help you get started on the right foot and create your own version.
What about the ABV?
Right now there’s no set alcohol requirement for an ULTRA IPA. We’re still exploring whether lower-alcohol IPAs can deliver at this hop rate, while on the other end of the spectrum, Quadruple IPAs already impress. As long as a beer reaches the 30 grams per liter dry-hop threshold, it qualifies as an ULTRA IPA, regardless of its ABV.
Does an ULTRA IPA have to be hazy?
No. ULTRA IPAs are defined by a minimum dry-hop rate of 30 g/L or 8 lbs/barrel, not by how they look. Whether the beer is hazy, clear, or somewhere in between doesn’t matter. What counts is the intense hop presence. That said, with this much dry hopping, keeping the beer completely clear can be a real challenge...
Why not use terms like DDH, TDH, or QDH? (Double, Triple, Quadruple Dry-Hopped)
Because every brewery’s setup works differently. What one brewery calls a “Double Dry-Hopped” beer might have 20 g/L of hops, while another’s could be just 12 g/L. These terms don’t give a clear or consistent picture of actual hop intensity. With the ULTRA IPA standard, there’s no guessing: the dry-hop rate is a bold 30 g/L. Minimum.
Is there a specific yeast you have to use?
There's no specific requirement for the yeast. Brewers are free to choose any yeast strain that complements their hop profile. Whether a brewer prefers a clean, neutral fermentation or a strain that adds fruity or spicy notes, it's their choice—the ULTRA IPA standard only requires hitting the 30 g/L dry-hop threshold.
Why set a minimum of 30 g/L or 8 lbs/bbl ?
Because the IPA universe is evolving fast. What’s ultra-intense today might seem tame tomorrow. Maybe in a few years, brewers will be dry-hopping at 100 g/L — and that’s the exciting part. Setting a minimum gives room to grow while guaranteeing bold hop intensity right now.
What about the use of cryogenic pellets ?
They can definitely be part of an ULTRA IPA, but we recommend using them in smaller amounts. We believe T90 pellets remain the gold standard for delivering rich, full-bodied hop flavor.
What about the use of liquid hop extracts ?
It’s the same with liquid hop extracts — brewers can use them to boost aroma and flavor, but think of them as the cherry on top. For now, we believe T90 pellets remain the best choice for maximizing hop character.
Are there any IBU rules?
Brewers have complete freedom to set the bitterness level they prefer. The ULTRA IPA standard focuses solely on maintaining a high dry-hop rate (30 g/L or 8 lbs per barrel) not prescribing specific IBUs. That said, too much bitterness can sometimes throw off the balance and overshadow the hop aromas.
What about Sour IPAs?
Why not! An ULTRA Sour IPA can totally exist, giving you a delightful zing followed by an unforgettable hop explosion. Your taste buds might be confused, but they'll definitely be entertained!
Can I use caramel or roasted malts?
Feel free to experiment. Who knows, an ULTRA Dark IPA could be the next big hit. As long as you hit the 30 g/L dry-hop mark, you’re welcome to explore all kinds of malt profiles and craft something truly unique.