What is an XPA Beer?

Fresh pint of Moonwake XPA next to a can of XPA

If you’ve spent any time looking at modern craft tap lists, you’ve almost certainly spotted those three letters: XPA.

It sits comfortably alongside traditional Pale Ales and IPAs, but unless you’re steeped in brewing jargon, it isn’t always obvious what actually sets an XPA apart from the rest.

Here is the straightforward breakdown of what XPA stands for, how it compares to other pale ales, and why it’s become a permanent fixture on our taps down in Leith.

What Does XPA Stand For?

XPA stands for Extra Pale Ale.

Unlike classic styles like West Coast IPAs or traditional Bitters, which follow strict historical rules, XPA is a modern craft style. The "Extra" generally refers to two things: an extra pale malt base, and an extra emphasis on hop aroma and flavour.

Instead of heavy, caramel-rich malts, XPAs are brewed with very light grains. This creates a clean, pale canvas that lets bright, fruity hops shine through without aggressive bitterness.

Can and pint of Moonwake XPA being lifted into the sky.

XPA vs Pale Ale vs IPA: What’s the Difference?

It’s easy to get lost in acronyms when ordering a round. Here is how they stack up against each other:

Pale Ale: The classic middle ground. It balances gentle malt sweetness with mild hop bitterness, usually sitting around 4% to 5% ABV.
IPA (India Pale Ale): Stronger and punchier. IPAs generally range from 5.5% to 7%+ ABV, packing a firmer bitter kick and heavy hop intensity.
XPA (Extra Pale Ale): Focuses heavily on bright hop flavour and aroma—like citrus and tropical fruit—while keeping the malt bill extra light and the bitterness low. Built purely for high drinkability.

A pint of moonwake xpa being poured at Moonwake Taproom

Is XPA Stronger Than Pale Ale?

Not necessarily. In fact, many XPAs are brewed specifically to give you full hop character at a lower, easy-drinking strength.

Because the malt base is kept so light, brewers can load the beer with aromatic hops without needing a high ABV to balance out heavy grain flavours. Our own core XPA sits at 3.4% ABV—giving you big hits of fruit character and a soft mouthfeel, while remaining effortless to drink.

What Does an XPA Taste Like?

Expect bright, fresh, fruit-forward flavours rather than heavy caramel or dark malt notes.

Depending on the hops used, an XPA will typically showcase:

Citrus & Tropical Notes: Expect flavours like orange-pith, passionfruit, grapefruit, or mango.
Low Bitterness: A crisp, clean finish that doesn't linger harshly on the palate.
Soft Body: Many brewers use oats or wheat alongside extra pale malt to give the beer a soft, pillowy texture despite the lighter alcohol strength.

A can of XPA by Moonwake being thrown in the air.

Moonwake’s Core XPA: A Firm Everyday Favourite

XPA has been a cornerstone of our core range for good reason—it’s the beer our team and locals constantly reach for when they want full-on hop character without a heavy ABV.

We brew ours with an Extra Pale malt base blended with oats and wheat for a soft, juicy mouthfeel. Dry-hopped with Rakau and El Dorado, it delivers distinct orange-pith and passionfruit notes at an easy-drinking 3.4% ABV. It’s hazy, refreshing, and a SIBA Gold-winner that sits permanently in our lineup.

Fancy a pint? You’ll always find XPA on draft down at our Leith taproom, or you can grab fresh cans directly.