DIPA and IPA: What's the difference between these craft beers?
As a craft brewery in Cornwall, we are always looking to push the boundaries of modern brewing and flavour, that's what keeps us happy and chasing the Art of Brewing. You've probably enjoyed a Slipway IPA, our flagship IPA, but might have spotted Destination DIPA online, on tap or in the fridge and you might have wondered: What exactly is a DIPA, and how is it different from a regular IPA?
It's time to dive into craft brewing once again.
IPA: The classic
An IPA is a beer style that’s defined by its bold hop character. Historically this beer style is brewed stronger and hoppier than pale ale, to help it to survive long sea journeys. Modern craft IPAs are known for their refreshing bitterness, bright aroma, and balanced malt backbone.
Our Slipway IPA is a perfect example, offering you a crisp, vibrant beer bursting with juicy hop notes and just enough malt sweetness to keep it moreish pint after pint. It’s approachable and full of flavour, suited to the real craft beer lovers as well as those new to hazy beers.
Those who know us well may also have sampled Alora, another bold, double dry-hopped IPA using American hops to create this 6% ABV juice bomb.
DIPA: Turning it up to 11
DIPA stands for Double IPA (sometimes called Imperial IPA). It’s not literally double the beer, obviously, but as Spinal Tap might say, a DIPA goes up to 11.
To brew a DIPA, we use more malt and more hops. This higher malt bill pushes the alcohol content up, usually around 7.5–9% ABV, compared to the 5–6% of a standard IPA. More malt means a richer body and a touch more sweetness to balance the intense bitterness and aroma from an even bigger hop charge.
With our own Destination DIPA, we wanted to take the hop-forward punch of Slipway and propel it into bold new territory. Expect amplified tropical fruit and citrus notes, deeper resinous undertones, and a satisfyingly smooth finish. It’s a beer for sipping, savouring, and celebrating the complexity that extra hops and strength can bring.
So What’s the Flavour Difference?
To keep it simple here's a brief breakdown:
Slipway IPA: Lighter in body, slightly lower in strength, crisp and easy-drinking with bright hop character. This one is perfect for a session at the pub or a few cans by the sea, it tends to be more 'sessionable'.
Destination DIPA: Fuller-bodied, higher in ABV, intensely hoppy with layered fruit, pine, and a warming malt sweetness. A beer that is ideal for those who crave bolder, more complex flavours.
Which One’s for You?
If you enjoy classic hoppy beers that you can drink all evening, Slipway IPA will never let you down. If you’re in the mood for an adventure and a beer that showcases really showcases hops and bold flavours, with a touch more heft and richness then Destination DIPA is undoubtably the Cornish craft beer for you.
