International Bitterness Units Calculator for Beer

Calculate the bitterness level of your beer based on the hops used, their addition times, and other parameters

Input Parameters

Hop Addition #1

Calculation Results

Calculation Formula

IBU = Σ [(Weight (g) × (1 - (Boil Time / Total Boil Time))) × (Alpha Acid (%)/100) × 75 / Volume (L)]

Where:
- Weight (g): Amount of hop added
- Boil Time: Time hop is boiled
- Total Boil Time: Total boil time of the beer
- Alpha Acid (%): Hop's alpha acid content
- Volume (L): Volume of beer being hopped
- 75: Conversion factor (based on 2% loss of alpha acids)

Calculation Results

Total IBU: 0.00
Estimated Final IBU: 0.00
Bitterness Level: Not Calculated

International Bitterness Units Calculator for Beer Calculator Usage Guide

Learn how to use the International Bitterness Units Calculator for Beer calculator and its working principles

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Add your first hop addition by filling in the fields for Hop Name, Alpha Acid (%), Weight (g), Brew Volume (liters), Addition Time (minutes), and Boil Time (minutes).
  2. If you're using multiple hop additions, click "Add Another Hop Addition" to add more rows.
  3. For each hop addition, enter the specific information about that hop addition.
  4. Click "Calculate" to compute the total IBU based on the input parameters.
  5. The calculator will display the total IBU, estimated final IBU (after accounting for alpha acid loss), and a description of the bitterness level.

Understanding IBU

International Bitterness Units (IBU) is the standard measure of the bitterness in beer. It is a logarithmic scale that measures the concentration of iso-alpha acids in the finished beer. The higher the IBU, the more bitter the beer will taste.

Bitterness Level Guide

  • Very Low (0-9 IBU): Very mild bitterness, barely noticeable
  • Low (10-19 IBU): Slight bitterness, good for light lagers
  • Medium (20-29 IBU): Balanced bitterness, suitable for many styles
  • High (30-39 IBU): Noticeable bitterness, common in ales and bitter beers
  • Very High (40+ IBU): Strong bitterness, typically found in extreme styles

Important Notes

  • The calculator uses an average utilization factor of 75% (based on a 2% loss of alpha acids during boiling).
  • The estimated final IBU is calculated by reducing the calculated IBU by 15% to account for alpha acid loss.
  • This calculator provides an estimate based on standard brewing practices and does not account for all variables that can affect bitterness in actual brewing conditions.
  • For more precise calculations, consider using additional parameters such as hop variety, brewing temperature, and wort composition.