International Bittering Units (IBUs)

How to Calculate International Bittering Units (IBUs)

Also learn about hop resins and oils along with the effect of dry hopping.

Alpha Resins and Hop Oils

Hops flowers contain alpha and beta resins and essential oils within the lupulin glands of the flower. Alpha resins are not very soluble in water, and therefore hop pellets and whole hops need to be boiled to extract the proper bittering from the alpha acid (at least 60 Minutes).

Hop Pellets

Hop oils are very soluble in water and will boil off quickly with the steam of the boil. For flavor and aroma, you should be adding your pellet hops or whole hops in the last 15 minutes.

Dry Hopping

Dry hopping gives no bitterness but lots of aroma and should be done for at least a week to two weeks in the secondary.

International Bitterness Units - How to Determine IBUs

Here is a quick formula for determining International Bitterness Units (IBUs) from Fred Eckhardt:

For a 5 gallon batch of homebrew, you take Ounces x Alpha Acid x Percentage Utilization(boil time) divided by 7.25.

Example - we have a Pale Ale using Cascade hops with 6% alpha acid, it would look like this:

  • 1 Ounce(Boiling Hops) x 6%(Alpha Acid) x 30%(Utilization) divided by 7.25 =24.8 IBUs
  • 1.5 Ounces(Flavor Hops) x 6%(Alpha Acid) x 15.3%(Utilization) divided by 7.25 =15.8 IBUs
  • 1 Ounce(Aroma Hops) x 6%(Alpha Acid) x 5%(Utilization) divided by 7.25 =4.1 IBUs

24.8 IBUs + 15.8 IBUs + 4.1 IBUs = 44.7 IBUs. This beer would have 44.7 IBUs

Percentage Hop Utilization for a 5 Gallon Batch of Homebrew

  • 31% over 60 Minutes
  • 30% 51 to 60 Minutes
  • 28.1% 46 to 50 Minutes
  • 26.9% 45 to 41 Minutes
  • 22.8% 40 to 36 Minutes
  • 18.8% 31 to 35 Minutes
  • 15.3% 26 to 30 Minutes
  • 12.1% 21 to 25 Minutes
  • 10.1% 16 to 20 Minutes
  • 8% 11 to 15 Minutes
  • 6% 6 to 10 Minutes
  • 5% Up to 5 Minutes

Check out our full line of hop pellets. So many varieties!