German IPA is a post-2010 phenomenon, and it exists in tension with the country's brewing heritage in ways that shape what the top of this ranking looks like. Reinheitsgebot compliance (the Bavarian purity law of 1516, still culturally dominant across German brewing) does not forbid IPA, but the deep German lager identity and the technical training of most German brewmasters historically pushed against the hop-forward, top-fermented American style. That changed in the early 2010s when a first wave of Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich craft brewers — Fürst Wiacek, Kehrwieder Kreativbrauerei, BRLO, Crew Republic — began building an IPA scene from scratch.
Currently leading the ranking: Jackpot (Crew Republic Brewery), Drunken Sailor and Camba Black Shark (Camba Bavaria). Camba Bavaria places 3 of the top 10.
How this ranking works
The hopIQ Score judges every beer against its style first: it rewards medals from competitions that judge within style categories and deducts points where a beer measurably deviates from its style reference. Community ratings add to that. Non-alcoholic excluded. No paid placement — order follows the data alone. Ranking spans 107 beers from 43 breweries.
Top 5 of 50
ABV
5.0%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter
Colour
golden 5
Orange, hazy and juicy: a tropical hop aroma of passion fruit and citrus, a light body, balanced acidity and a restrained bitterness. Oats and wheat sit next to the barley in the grist. The brewers say they like it ice-cold, in full sun at…Orange, hazy and juicy: a tropical hop aroma of passion fruit and citrus, a light body, balanced acidity and a restrained bitterness. Oats and wheat sit next to the barley in the grist. The brewers say they like it ice-cold, in full sun at 35 degrees. A refreshing Hazy IPA at 5.0 % for hot days.
Drunken Sailor#445 worldwide
ABV
6.4%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter
Colour
golden 6
Full-bodied and hop-aromatic: tropical fruit and citrus up front, intense but round. This West Coast IPA comes in at 6.4 %. The name plays on the old tale of English sailors shipping beer to the Indian colony, where plenty of hops and a…Full-bodied and hop-aromatic: tropical fruit and citrus up front, intense but round. This West Coast IPA comes in at 6.4 %. The name plays on the old tale of English sailors shipping beer to the Indian colony, where plenty of hops and a high alcohol content kept it fit for the voyage. A fruity, rounded hop beer for anyone who likes their IPA with presence.
Camba Black Shark#607 worldwide
ABV
8.5%
Bitterness
Strongly bitter
Colour
dark 35
Camba Bavaria's Black Shark is the rare Imperial Black IPA that doesn't apologise for either half of its identity. Jet-black, dense, 8.5% and 75 IBU — roasted malt and dark chocolate anchor a serious hoppy punch that's almost resinous,…Camba Bavaria's Black Shark is the rare Imperial Black IPA that doesn't apologise for either half of its identity. Jet-black, dense, 8.5% and 75 IBU — roasted malt and dark chocolate anchor a serious hoppy punch that's almost resinous, with barely a whisper of sweetness to soften the blow. Won gold at the World Beer Awards 2024. For hop lovers who aren't afraid of the dark.
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ABV
8.9%
Bitterness
Very bitter
Colour
golden 8
Camba Bavaria's Imperial IPA is a statement beer — 8.9% and 65 IBU of unfiltered conviction. Tropical fruit, pine and citrus layer densely over a substantial malt backbone that refuses to be buried; the bitterness is clean and dry,…Camba Bavaria's Imperial IPA is a statement beer — 8.9% and 65 IBU of unfiltered conviction. Tropical fruit, pine and citrus layer densely over a substantial malt backbone that refuses to be buried; the bitterness is clean and dry, finishing long and resinous. For hop devotees who want power and balance in the same glass.
5
Tyr#953 worldwide
ABV
8.7%
Bitterness
Very bitter
Colour
amber 9
Tyr is a top-fermented, dry-hopped strong IPA named after the Norse god of war. Large amounts of barley malt give a sweetish, smooth body, which an equally generous hop charge balances. The dry hopping sets the tone: forceful and fresh,…Tyr is a top-fermented, dry-hopped strong IPA named after the Norse god of war. Large amounts of barley malt give a sweetish, smooth body, which an equally generous hop charge balances. The dry hopping sets the tone: forceful and fresh, fruity-floral, with woodland and mint notes alongside. It reaches 8.7% ABV from an original gravity of 20.2° Plato.
Ranks 6–10
6
Camba Bavaria India Pale Ale#973 worldwide
Camba Bavaria India Pale Ale is a classic IPA brewed in the heart of Bavaria, combining traditional German brewing expertise with the bold, hoppy character of American-style IPAs. This beer showcases a perfect balance of citrus and pine…Camba Bavaria India Pale Ale is a classic IPA brewed in the heart of Bavaria, combining traditional German brewing expertise with the bold, hoppy character of American-style IPAs. This beer showcases a perfect balance of citrus and pine notes with a crisp, clean finish that appeals to both IPA enthusiasts and traditional beer drinkers.
7
West Coast IPA from ÜberQuell leads with tropical fruit and finishes grassy and bitter. It runs at 6.6% ABV and is poured on draft at the brewery's BrewPub in Hamburg, which sits in the heritage-listed Riverkasematten at the St. Pauli…West Coast IPA from ÜberQuell leads with tropical fruit and finishes grassy and bitter. It runs at 6.6% ABV and is poured on draft at the brewery's BrewPub in Hamburg, which sits in the heritage-listed Riverkasematten at the St. Pauli Fischmarkt, a former whale-oil distillery. ÜberQuell has been part of the neighbourhood since 2017.
8
Four hop additions in one beer: Citra, Citra Cryo, Mosaic and Nelson Sauvin. Cryo is concentrated hop powder — more aroma with less plant matter, and less of the grassy edge that comes with it. Nelson adds the white-grape character New…Four hop additions in one beer: Citra, Citra Cryo, Mosaic and Nelson Sauvin. Cryo is concentrated hop powder — more aroma with less plant matter, and less of the grassy edge that comes with it. Nelson adds the white-grape character New Zealand hops are known for. Double dry-hopped, with oats and wheat in the mash, at 6.8 percent. Drink it fresh.
9
Only two hops, both pulling the same way: Citra for citrus and tropical fruit, Nelson Bliss for white grape. Nelson Bliss is the newer variety out of the Nelson Sauvin family — same signature, a little more approachable. Double dry-hopped…Only two hops, both pulling the same way: Citra for citrus and tropical fruit, Nelson Bliss for white grape. Nelson Bliss is the newer variety out of the Nelson Sauvin family — same signature, a little more approachable. Double dry-hopped at 6.8 percent, with oats and wheat in the mash.
10
Only two hops, and they pull in opposite directions: Citra for citrus and tropical fruit, Columbus for resin and herbs. Hence the name — it's an even split between fruit and pine. The leanest bill of the range, double dry-hopped at 6.8…Only two hops, and they pull in opposite directions: Citra for citrus and tropical fruit, Columbus for resin and herbs. Hence the name — it's an even split between fruit and pine. The leanest bill of the range, double dry-hopped at 6.8 percent.
The taste landscape
Of the 50 top beers, 0 lean malt-forward and 49 lean hop-forward.