IPA vs Stout
The color test fails here. Drinkers assume the black beer is the heavy one, but a classic dry stout is 4.2% ABV with a modest hop load, while the pale IPA runs 6.5%+ with the heaviest hop chemistry in beer. Roasted malt looks intense; hop oils and fusel alcohols do more hangover work.
IPA vs Stout: the differences
| Attribute | IPA | Stout |
|---|---|---|
| Style | India Pale Ale | Dark ale (dry/sweet/imperial) |
| Typical strength | 6.5% ABV | 5% ABV |
| Gluten | Contains gluten | Contains gluten |
| Hangover Index | 7/10 | 6/10 |
IPA
India Pale Ale · 6.5% ABV
- Congeners
- High
- Histamines
- High
- Polyphenols
- High
- Sulfites
- Low
- Tannins
- Low
- Sugar
- Low
- Additives
- Low
Stout
Dark ale (dry/sweet/imperial) · 5% ABV
- Congeners
- Moderate
- Histamines
- High
- Polyphenols
- Moderate
- Sulfites
- Low
- Tannins
- Moderate
- Sugar
- Moderate
- Additives
- Low
Stout wins, especially dry stout. Lower ABV, a lower hop polyphenol load, and filtration beat IPA's bigger alcohol and amine chemistry. Imperial and pastry stouts (8%+, lactose, adjuncts) hand the win back to a standard IPA.
Which one for which situation
FAQ
Is dark beer worse for hangovers than IPA? ▾
No. Color is malt roast, not chemistry load. Roasted malt adds some melanoidins, but ABV and hop load matter far more, and IPA leads on both. A 4.2% dry stout beats a 6.8% IPA comfortably.
Is Guinness actually a light beer? ▾
Closer than its reputation suggests: 4.2% ABV and about 125 calories, less than most macro lagers. Ale fermentation keeps its amine load above a true light lager, but it is one of the lighter mainstream beers.
Which has more calories, IPA or stout? ▾
Usually the IPA. Alcohol is beer's main calorie source, so a 6.5% IPA (around 200 calories) beats a 4.2% dry stout (around 125). Imperial and pastry stouts flip the comparison.