West Coast IPA: What it is, how it differs, and a quick recipe

West Coast IPA is the classic, hop-forward American IPA: clear to slightly hazy, bright golden color, assertive bitterness, and forward citrusy, piney or resinous hop character. Modern takes include Cryo-hop versions that concentrate hop oils for punchier aroma with less plant matter. The beer described here is a delicate Cryo IPA with a golden hue, a malty entry that balances herbaceous and resinous hop notes, and a pleasantly bitter finish.

Is this similar to beers from Uinta or Green Flash?

Yes. Many breweries—Uinta Brewing, Green Flash and others—have their own West Coast interpretations. Uinta often leans into balanced malt and resinous hop profiles, while Green Flash has made splashy, hop-centric beers (for example their Citra-forward releases) that showcase citrus and tropical notes. These breweries demonstrate the range inside the West Coast umbrella: from cleaner, piney/resinous examples to bright, fruit-forward hop showcases.

How does West Coast IPA differ from Northeast (East Coast) IPA?

West Coast IPA vs Northeast (often called NEIPA or New England IPA) revolves around three main differences:

• Appearance: West Coast IPAs are generally clearer and more golden; NEIPAs are hazy and juicier-looking.
• Bitterness and balance: West Coast IPAs emphasize clean malt backbone and assertive bitterness (chalky, lingering); NEIPAs prioritize soft mouthfeel and lower perceived bitterness.
• Hop usage and aroma: West Coast uses earlier additions, whirlpool, and dry hopping for clean piney/citrus/resin notes. NEIPAs rely on heavy late additions and dry hopping to produce fruity, juicy aromatics and softer bitterness.

What makes a Citra-focused West Coast IPA (like Green Flash Citra IPA) different?

A Citra-focused West Coast IPA highlights the hop's citrus, melon and tropical aromatics but keeps the structural clarity and bitterness of the West Coast style. Expect crisp bitterness framing bright citrus and tropical hop notes rather than the creamy, opaque profile of a NEIPA. Citra is a popular choice for this purpose because it delivers punchy, recognizable fruitiness without sacrificing the resinous backbone when paired with other West Coast hops.

Quick homebrew-style West Coast IPA recipe (overview)

Below is a simple blueprint to brew a classic West Coast IPA at 5–6.5% ABV with clear hop character and a firm bitter finish.

• Batch size: 19 L (5 US gallons)
• Target OG/FG & ABV: OG 1.060–1.065, FG 1.012–1.016 (about 6–6.5% ABV)
• Grain bill: 90–95% Pale 2-row, 3–5% Munich or Vienna, 1–2% Carapils for head retention
• Water profile: Higher sulfate to chloride ratio (e.g., 150–250 ppm sulfate, 30–60 ppm chloride) to accentuate hop crispness
• Hops & schedule (example):
  • 60 min: Bittering hops (e.g., Magnum, Columbus) to reach ~60–80 IBU depending on preference
  • Whirlpool (60–80°C): Big addition of flavor hops (Citra, Centennial, Simcoe) for 20–30 min
  • Dry hop (after primary fermentation slows): 2–4 g/L split over two additions; using Cryo hops in one or both additions concentrates aroma
• Yeast: Clean American ale strain (e.g., California ale yeast) fermented 18–20°C for clean esters
• Special notes: If using Cryo hops, you get intense aroma with less vegetal matter—good for a crisp, aromatic West Coast Cryo IPA.

Why use Cryo hops?

Cryo hops are processed to concentrate lupulin (the aromatic/oily portion of the hop) and reduce vegetal matter. That gives a cleaner, more potent aroma and flavor impact at lower hop mass—useful when you want big aroma without heavy dry-hop sediment or excessive grassy notes.

Tasting and pairing suggestions

For a golden, resinous West Coast IPA you can expect:

• Aroma: Citrus peel, pine resin, light tropical top notes depending on hop variety.
• Palate: Clean malt sweetness up front, hop-driven mid-palate with herbal/resinous notes, firm bitter finish.
• Food pairings: Grilled meats, sharp cheddar, spicy tacos, citrus-marinated seafood, and fried foods where the bitterness cuts the fat.

Looking for a ready example?

If you want to try a modern Cryo take on the style with a balanced malt backbone and bright resinous hops, try

. It showcases the delicate malty entry and herbaceous-resinous hop character typical of contemporary West Coast Cryo IPAs.

Final tips

• Store IPAs cold and drink them fresh—hop aroma fades with time.
• Use a slightly higher sulfate water profile to sharpen hop bitterness and perceived dryness.
• When dry-hopping, consider split additions; Cryo hops can reduce vegetal impact while boosting aroma.

Whether you’re brewing at home or exploring brewery offerings, West Coast IPA remains a versatile style: clear, hop-focused, and capable of showcasing both clean resinous pine and bright citrus fruit depending on hop choices. Enjoy experimenting—and drink fresh.