They’re hoppy, they’re zippy, and they tend to make you happy. They suit a day on the beach or a night at the pub, and they’re favourites of beer newbies and craft beer nerds alike. XPAs are extra pale ales, but there’s a big question always floating around…
Extra what?
And the answer to that isn’t as straightforward as you might like…
What makes it an XPA?
Is it extra pale? Does it have extra hops? Extra alcohol? Extra marketing cred?
It can be any or all of these things. Because here’s the secret: there’s no real standard for what defines an XPA. The style is just over a decade old (compared to hundreds of years for some other styles), and there’s no real consensus on what it is.
What should you expect?
Since the XPA style is so free and easy, it makes sense for us to be a little loose here. But don’t think that means there aren’t any patterns among XPAs. It’s still a kind of pale ale, so don’t expect a whole different species of beer.
You can expect an XPA to be lighter than most IPAs - lower in bitterness, lower in hoppiness, and usually lower in alcohol.
You can expect fruity hops - think citrus zing and tropical notes, rather than resinous or dank or spicy.
And they’re usually super approachable and easy to drink - it’s hard to stop after just one!
XPA
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Flavour ProfileHopsMaltTasting notesThe fresh citrus and tropical aromas that swirl around this golden elixir will guarantee that summer sensation all year round
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Flavour ProfileHopsMalt
- Smooth / Velvety
Tasting notesA moderate body and smooth finish lead the way to endless drinkability on any occasion.![Aether XPA]()
Aether XPAView BeerXPA
Sold By Aether Brewing
Pay as little as $36.008 pack$42.0016 pack$70.004 pack$21.00 -
Flavour ProfileHopsMalt
- Dry
Tasting notesLight, refreshing finish![Astro Punk]()
Astro PunkView BeerXPA
Sold By Blackflag Brewing
Pay as little as $44.008 pack$48.0016 pack$73.004 pack$24.00 -
Flavour ProfileHopsMalt
- Dry
Tasting notesOur take on the XPA style beefs up the body and uses a single hop, Citra throughout. Addition of crystal malt balances the assertive bitterness.![Bright Idea XPA]()
Bright Idea XPAView BeerXPASold By Jervis Bay Brewing Co
Pay as little as $43.008 pack$51.0016 pack$84.004 pack$26.00 -
Flavour ProfileHopsMalt
- Light
Tasting notesBig tropical hop flavours & aromas -
Flavour ProfileHopsMalt
- Dry
- Clean
Tasting notesStrong passionfruit and citrus hop flavours rounded off with crisp dry finish![Galactic XPA]()
Galactic XPAView BeerXPA
Sold By The Boys Brewing
Pay as little as $34.008 pack$38.0016 pack$60.004 pack$19.00 -
Flavour ProfileHopsMalt
- Chewy
Tasting notesStrong bitterness, prominent citrus and pine aroma -
Flavour ProfileHopsMaltTasting notesGreat hoppy citrus flavours. Not too bitter
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Flavour ProfileHopsMalt
- Light
Tasting notesThis Double Dry Hopped XPA is fruity, floral, light and breezy. Perfect food pairing: soft goat cheese, white meat skewers, fish, charcuterie -
Flavour ProfileHopsMalt
- Clean
Tasting notesIt’s Tropical, it’s lo cal & it’s local - It’s Tropi-lo-cal. -
Flavour ProfileHopsMalt
- Smooth / Velvety
Tasting notesA full bodied Xtra Pale Ale. Fresh mango and grapefruit notes are complimented from vanilla characters from the toasted American oak. -
Flavour ProfileHopsMalt
- Light
Tasting notesFruit and tropical hop aroma, dry finish. -
Flavour ProfileHopsMalt
- Dry
- Clean
Tasting notesA clean XPA. The perfect Summer drink. -
Flavour ProfileHopsMalt
- Dry
- Light
Tasting notesThis Double Dry Hopped XPA is juicy, floral, light and breezy.Perfect food pairing: soft goat cheese, white meat skewers, fish, charcuterie -
Flavour ProfileHopsMalt
- Fizzy
Tasting notesWe use a blend of Motueka, El Dorado and Vic Secret hops to bring a touch of resin alongside heaps of citrus and tropical vibes to the party. -
Flavour ProfileHopsMalt
- Thin
- Dry
- Light
Tasting notesNotes of tropical and citrusy fruit combined with a slight bitterness. Crisp and refreshing.![Tropical XPA]()
Tropical XPAView BeerXPA
Sold By Frexi Brewing
Pay as little as $45.008 pack$51.0016 pack$92.004 pack$26.00 -
Flavour ProfileHopsMalt
- Light
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Flavour ProfileHopsMalt
- Smooth / Velvety
Tasting notesNice grass and tropical notes, balanced biscuit malt and yeasts. Clean, biscuity and resinous, drying and bitter late, everything you could want in a pale and then some. Centennial, Mosaic and Amarillo hops get the nod.
