IBU

IBU, or International Bitterness Units, measure the bitterness of a beer, mainly from hops. Hops contain compounds called iso-alpha acids, which add bitterness to balance the sweet malt flavors. The IBU scale quantifies this bitterness: higher IBU values indicate a more bitter beer, while lower values mean less bitterness. For example, a light pilsner might have an IBU of 20, whereas an intensely hoppy India Pale Ale could reach 60 or more. IBU helps brewers and drinkers understand and compare the bitterness levels across different beers, providing insight into the beer’s flavor profile.