IPA
UK / USA
Heavy hop load delivers significant iso-alpha acids and polyphenols. Ale yeast at warmer fermentation = more biogenic amines and fusel alcohols. Hazy/NEIPA styles even more so.
- Ingredients / botanicals
- pale malt, hops (heavy), ale yeast, water
In its favor
- ✓Bitter compounds may slow drinking pace
- ✓Generally well-made craft category
What to watch
- !High hop polyphenols
- !High alcohol for a beer
- !Hazy styles unfiltered = max protein + yeast load
Factor by factor
Congeners High ▾
Byproducts of fermentation (methanol, acetaldehyde, fusel alcohols). Strongly linked to hangover severity; darker, less-distilled spirits carry more.
Histamines High ▾
Produced by bacteria during fermentation/aging. Trigger flushing, headaches, congestion in sensitive drinkers. High in red wine, beer, aged spirits.
Polyphenols High ▾
Plant compounds with antioxidant activity. Slightly protective at low doses but at high concentrations may worsen hangover via tannin/quercetin reactions.
Sulfites Low ▾
Preservatives (SO₂) added to wine and some beers. Common trigger of headaches, asthma, and allergic-type reactions.
Tannins Low ▾
Astringent polyphenols from skins, seeds, barrels. Bind proteins, slow alcohol clearance, and aggravate dehydration-style symptoms.
Sugar Low ▾
Residual sugar amplifies hangover via blood-sugar swings and dehydration. Liqueurs and cocktails are the main offenders.
Additives Low ▾
Colorants, flavorings, glycerin, propylene glycol, sorbates. Cheap spirits and ready-to-drinks often hide these in trade-secret formulas.
IPA is the strongest hangover-load mainstream beer style. Big alcohol, big hops, often unfiltered.
IPA questions
Is IPA gluten-free? ▾
No. IPA is brewed from barley and never distilled, so the gluten stays in the glass. It is not safe for coeliacs; look for a beer brewed from sorghum, rice or millet instead.
Does IPA give you a bad hangover? ▾
IPA scores 7/10 on the SpiritFacts Hangover Index, against 6/10 for beer overall. The main drivers are its congeners, histamines and polyphenols.
Is IPA vegan? ▾
Yes. IPA is listed as vegan, with no animal-derived ingredients or fining agents.