Answers.Body: <blockquote>
    <p>Is there any standard that differentiates an XPA from other American
    pale ales?</p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>Currently, no. </p>
  
  <p>According to the latest Beer Judge Certification Program guidelines (the drafted 2015 style guide <a href="http://www.bjcp.org/docs/2015_Guidelines_Beer.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://www.bjcp.org/docs/2015_Guidelines_Beer.pdf</a>), there is no category of XPA or Extra Pale Ale.</p>
  
  <p>Stylistically, depending on the malt bill used, one would place the beer in either an American Pale Ale or IPA category, though most 'sub styles' the BJCP wants to have in the <strong>21B. Specialty IPA</strong> category. If it was heavy in British malts, perhaps even an English IPA. </p>
  
  <p>This doesn't mean, however, that a brewery can't just make up whatever they feel like to call their beer, which is what I believe is happening there. XPA sounds cool, new, and interesting.</p>
  
  <p>The idea of the style has been around for a few years, at least back to 2013 as referenced by <a href="http://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=382533" rel="nofollow">this HomeBrewTalk forum post</a>. Even then there were debates as to the meaning of this style... and it still hasn't become anything of note.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2015-09-11T15:38:07.283Z
Answers.Text: Looking at the HomeBrewTalk post, it looks like there's no consensus on what's "extra" abou an XPA.
Answers.UserDisplayName: Jon Ericson
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2015-09-10T19:51:37.087Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2015-09-10T19:51:37.087Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Charlemange
Body: <p>The other day I ordered an Eagle Rock Brewery XPA on tap. At the time, I had no idea what that was, but according to the <a href="http://eaglerockbrewery.com/group/revolutionxpa" rel="noreferrer">brewer's site</a>:</p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>Extra Pale Ale (XPA) is a variation of American pale ale – bright and refreshing with a substantial hop presence.</p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>I'm guessing the thing that is "extra" is the paleness. To my (very) untrained palate, it tasted pretty much like any other IPA/APA I've ordered. Maybe it was a bit more bitter though? </p>
  
  <p>Is there any standard that differentiates an XPA from other American pale ales?</p>
  
Tags: <ipa>
Title: What exactly is an XPA?
UserDisplayName: Jon Ericson
ThreadText: # What exactly is an XPA?
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2015-09-10)
  
  The other day I ordered an Eagle Rock Brewery XPA on tap. At the time, I had no idea what that was, but according to the [brewer's site](http://eaglerockbrewery.com/group/revolutionxpa):
  
  > Extra Pale Ale (XPA) is a variation of American pale ale – bright and refreshing with a substantial hop presence.
  
  I'm guessing the thing that is "extra" is the paleness. To my (very) untrained palate, it tasted pretty much like any other IPA/APA I've ordered. Maybe it was a bit more bitter though?
  
  Is there any standard that differentiates an XPA from other American pale ales?
  
  **Tags:** ipa
  
  
  ---
  
  ## 1 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_1 on 2015-09-10. Score: 4 | Accepted answer
  
  > Is there any standard that differentiates an XPA from other American
  > pale ales?
  
  Currently, no.
  
  According to the latest Beer Judge Certification Program guidelines (the drafted 2015 style guide <http://www.bjcp.org/docs/2015_Guidelines_Beer.pdf>), there is no category of XPA or Extra Pale Ale.
  
  Stylistically, depending on the malt bill used, one would place the beer in either an American Pale Ale or IPA category, though most 'sub styles' the BJCP wants to have in the **21B. Specialty IPA** category. If it was heavy in British malts, perhaps even an English IPA.
  
  This doesn't mean, however, that a brewery can't just make up whatever they feel like to call their beer, which is what I believe is happening there. XPA sounds cool, new, and interesting.
  
  The idea of the style has been around for a few years, at least back to 2013 as referenced by [this HomeBrewTalk forum post](http://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=382533). Even then there were debates as to the meaning of this style... and it still hasn't become anything of note.
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_0**: Looking at the HomeBrewTalk post, it looks like there's no consensus on what's "extra" abou an XPA.  
  
  ---
  
  