Understanding What IBU and ABV Mean When It Comes to Beer

Consumers have several common questions when it comes to alcoholic beverages: What is IBU in beer, and what does ABV mean? International bitterness units (IBUs) and alcohol by volume (ABV) are two types of measurements commonly used to classify beers. IBUs and ABV are important to know, as they can help consumers determine what to expect from the beer’s flavor, mouthfeel, and potency.
Here, Columbia Distributing, which serves businesses in Oregon and Washington as a premier beverage distributor, explains the difference between IBU and ABV.