Bitterness Units (IBU)

Bitterness Units, or IBU (International Bitterness Units), measure the level of hop-derived bitter compounds in beer. Hops release alpha acids during brewing, which, when boiled, transform into bitter substances. The IBU scale quantifies this bitterness, with higher values indicating a more pronounced bitter taste. Light beers typically have low IBUs (5-20), while IPAs can range from 40 to over 100. IBU provides an objective way to predict and compare bitterness levels but doesn't account for other flavor elements like sweetness or aroma. Overall, IBU helps brewers balance flavor profiles and guide consumer expectations.