IPA Fans?

[tsmba]

I was wondering if anyone else favors this brew (or other craft beers), and might want to share locally available favorites.

I have never cared for spirits, but I did develop a taste for beer at an early age. After years of college guzzling, I stopped drinking alcohol altogether. However in the past year or so, I had the chance to try a few craft brews and found that I really enjoy them. These days, 1-2 is my limit, so I try to find the best that is available.

Some old favorites are: Anchor Steam Beer, Bass Ale, and Guiness. I have also enjoyed some of the newer brews, namely Sam Adams Boston Lager, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, and Victory Prima Pilz. The one type I seem to like most are the various India Pale Ales, though I haven't found many in local stores. I have tried O'Dell's, Thunderhead, and Smuttynose, all different, but all enjoyable.

Any suggestions?

[xillion]

One of my long time favorites is Piraat (http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/48/156).

[jkh]

Ninkasi (http://www.ninkasibrewing.com/) Total Domination IPA and Tricerahops Double IPA are pretty tasty

[Leche]

Stone IPA is one of my favs. Pretty hoppy.

[Commander Quan]

Dogfish Head 60 Minute & the 90 Minute IPAs

[Gruder]

Avery makes my current favorite IPA. The Dogfish Head versions are nice, too (up until 120, which gets too barleywine-esque for my taste).

[clubman]

The aforementioned Pyraat is awesome, if a bit heavy duty! I have about a dozen of the big bottles hanging out in the pantry - a grocery store nearby was clearing them out for $2.49(!!) each, and I couldn't let them go to waste :001_smile.

I'm quite fond of Racer X (and its little brother Racer 5), as well as the Lagunitas IPA.

I was skeptical about Sierra Nevada Torpedo at first, since over the last 20 years or so since I first had SN in college, all you could get were the good old Pale, Porter, and Stout, and then suddenly there's all these newfangled varieties cluttering up the beer shelf (well, sure there was always Bigfoot and Summerfest if you want to get all technical about it). Plus, they changed the colors on the labels, which is as disturbing as all get out. But anyway, back to Torpedo - it rocks! Nice and hoppy, and it still has the great Sierra foundation underneath. Seeing as how Friday afternoon is already here, I think I might be enjoying one soon! :thumbup1:

[arghblech]

As long as it isn't Fat Tire, I'm an IPA fan.

[OldAF]

Mostly a dark beer fan but have tried a couple of IPAs lately.

Bouldvard Brewery (Kansas City) makes some nice IPAs. Single-Wide IPA is widely available.

Goose Island IPA (Chicago) is also very good and easy to get.

[EvilGobi]

Here in Canada we have the nationally available "Alexander Keiths IPA" and it is definatly one of my favorite Beers (mostly I'll take their Dark Ale or Red Amber Ale over the IPA but I still enjoy it).

[Derek_V]

New to IPA's, but this is tonights offering. Very Citrus'y....

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/6779/img0068je.jpg

Red Racer IPA

[Frank7580]

Bell's Two Hearted... hard to choose a favorite IPA but this is at the top of my list.

[johnmrson]

When I used to drink, I was a big fan of IPA. A really great tasting beer.
There is a very good boutique brewery in Australia called James Squires who make a number of truely great beers. They did a fantastic Porter which I copied when I was homebrewing. I also used to homebrew a very nice Honey Porter and a pretty good Brown Ale.

[invizable]

Harpoon is a great IPA you should be able to find in most states.
My favorite is Founders IPA, although I'm not sure about the supply outside the midwest.

[Alacrity59]

I like India Pale Ale at this time of year in particular. Somehow that extra hoppiness (is that a word?) refreshing. On a hot summer day one is refreshing . . . and a second pretty much removes all desire for one to mow the grass or paint the front porch or . . or . . or.

Take care.

Mike

[Uncle Erik]

Oh hell yes. See if you can track down Bridgeport IPA from Portland, Oregon. It's distributed a bit these days. Quaffing IPAs on cask at the Bridgeport Brewery in the Pearl District up there was what really sold me on the style. I also love the IPAs from Stone, Deschutes, Bear Republic (Racer 5 is a real favorite), DogFish Head, and the Raging Bitch IPA.

I used to be very much into various porters and stouts (and I still love them), but the super-hoppy IPAs have snuck into my favorite column.

[moonshine44]

I've developed a taste for hoppy beers in the last year or so. Locally (Oregon) Barley Brown's Tumbleoff Pale is great, as is Terminal Gravity's IPA. Widmer Brothers Drifter is probably the most widely available...

I also had a superb IPA at the Sockeye Grill and Brewery in Boise, Idaho back in May...

[GentlemanEstes]

I noticed that you are from Middle of MO. If that is the Columbia Area, try Broadway Brewery they have a Double IPA that is decent. They also have a APA that is good. I was out there about a month ago. Disappointed in the selection in Missouri. I hit Flat Branch Brewery also. Not a lot to choose from.

[DFrancis]

I normally go for darker beers, but Wildrose makes a nice IPA. (an even nicer stout though)

[OldAF]

My favorite is Founders IPA, although I'm not sure about the supply outside the midwest.

I never tried the IPA but Founders makes a superb Porter.

[tsmba]

Wow! I was surprised at all the responses. I guess we all have to take what is offered at the local stores. I really don't go to pubs anymore, mostly I grab a six-pack of something and have one when the spirit moves me.

For someone who grew up with Budweiser and a few others, the current selection is pretty staggering. I used to occasionally buy an import or "premium" beer, which is how I discovered Bass Ale. Occasional Heineken, a dark brew here and there, and the occasional Guiness were about it.

My grandfather was a grocer and brew supply distributor in Aurora, IL until he lost his business in the Depression. My mom grew up with memories of hops growing outside and tagging along with her dad to various speakeasys in his area. He made home brew and she used to remember caps blowing in the cellar. Maybe its in the blood.

I tend to prefer beers in the 5-7% ABV range that are heavy on the hops. I'm in a town of 3500, and even here there is a choice of 6-8 ales and several other craft beers and imports. Sometimes progress is a good thing!

[Edcculus]

Bell's Two Hearted... hard to choose a favorite IPA but this is at the top of my list.

Thats on the top of my list as well!

Sierra Nevada's Torpedo IPA is a pretty solid IPA as well, and should be available just about everywhere in the US.

[Phog Allen]

Hi Tom. Well being you are from central Missouri, the next time you are in the K.C. region try Free State Brewing's Copperhead Pale Ale (http://freestatebrewing.com/beer). If the link doesn't take you to the exact page click "beer" on the menu at the top of the page and the current offerings are posted there as icons. Click the one you want to learn about and then scroll down. It doesn't really change pages when you click. It just brings up your selection below the icons. Copperhead is a very hoppy, American style IPA and is just the stuff on hot summer days or fall or spring or whenever. It has the American hop treatment so is very zesty, almost citrus like in its finish. Quite good actually. It won some awards when they brought it out years ago. Recently Free State started bottling and Copperhead was one they started with. It is always on the menu.

I have not tried the Smokestack Series from Boulevard Brewing Co. in Kansas City but I have seen very good reviews for most of them.

Regards, Todd

[tsmba]

I plan to try the Boulevard products as they are available even in grocery stores around here. Distribution for these products seems a bit strange. For instance, we have O'Dell's from Fort Collins while products far closer to home are unavailable. There is also a huge difference between the stock in grocery stores in Columbia (25mi away) and here at home. That makes the hunt a lot more fun because of variations even across town.

I still find Anchor Steam Beer hard to beat. Too bad it runs about $9.50 for a six!

[Torcams]

+1 on Piraat.

My favorite IPA is from a local Torrance, CA brewery called Red Car (http://www.redcarbrewery.com/). I fill up my growler there when I'm in for treat. It's a little over 9% abv so you cant' have too many...

[closer]

Second the Dogfishhead recommendation. Here in the NYC area we get Brooklyn East India pale ale, which is not as bitterly hoppy as some others, so drinks easily. Long Trail brewery in Vermont makes a double IPA, which is very nice.

[chickpea]

One of my favorite beer styles. Try Dale's Pale Ale (from Colorado, but generally widely available see Whole Foods).

Also, welcome to the world of excellent beer. It's a wonderful place.

I recently found a great listing of beers on GQ's website, which I think bears linking here. http://www.gq.com/food-travel/wine-and-cocktails/201004/best-greatest-beers-in-the-world#slide=1

I have not tried all of those beers, not even most. however, the one's i have tried have been excellent.

[tsmba]

If you look at reviews, a number of brands come up frequently. On the other hand, some "gold medal winners" receive mediocre reviews in other venues. While I've found several favorites, I have yet to pick anything that's really bad. I think that, like shaving products, you have to try what you can and go from there.

Yesterday I picked up another pack of Thunderhead IPA from Pyramid in Seattle. Its got a nice mix of malt sweetness and bitter hops.

[arghblech]

Try Dale's Pale Ale (from Colorado, but generally widely available see Whole Foods).

I'm pretty certain that Dale's Pale Ale is an American Pale Ale and not an IPA. It's a tasty beer nonetheless. I do wish it didn't come in cans:mad3:

[Edcculus]

I'm pretty certain that Dale's Pale Ale is an American Pale Ale and not an IPA. It's a tasty beer nonetheless. I do wish it didn't come in cans:mad3:

Dale's is a Pale Ale. Oskar Blues makes an IPA called Gordon.

Whats so bad about cans? Really, cans are a superior package to bottles. No light can get in, creates a better seal to oxygen. Both of those things mean the beer has a better shelf life. Factor in that cans are a lot lighter and cheaper to ship. Aluminum is a lot more recyclable than glass too. Finally, you can take cans to places like the beach, rivers, pools where glass isn't allowed. I know cans have a stigma of "cheap beer" and bottles are deemed to be "high end". Its really not the case, especially since you should be pouring it in a glass anyways.

Also, the "it picks up metal taste" argument is bull too. They line the cans so the beer never actually touches metal.

I think most craft breweries would switch to cans if the price of canning equipment and minimum can orders weren't so darn high.

[arghblech]

Also, the "it picks up metal taste" argument is bull too. They line the cans so the beer never actually touches metal.

It tastes different for one say what you want about linings but I can tell the difference. I still have to put my mouth on the outside of the can and it does taste metallic. Cans also don't keep the beer cool as long.

One of my locals keeps Dale's on draft and it is much less bitter and less sharp around that floral hops note.

[chickpea]

I'm pretty certain that Dale's Pale Ale is an American Pale Ale and not an IPA. It's a tasty beer nonetheless. I do wish it didn't come in cans:mad3:

Oops, didn't pay attention to that. My bad, it's an excellent hoppy beer nonetheless.

[Cyclocat]

Currently at the top of my IPA list is Stone's Ruination. Other good IPA's I've had are Bell's Two Hearted, Ska Brewing's Modus Hoperandi, Victory's Hop Devil, Big Sky Brewing's Big Sky IPA, Two Brother's Heavy Handed and Hop Juice, Three Floyd's Alpha King, Goose Island's IPA, and Sierra Nevada's Torpedo just to name a few....

[FLTiger]

Bell's Two Hearted... hard to choose a favorite IPA but this is at the top of my list.

Two Hearted is amazingly smooth and good. It can get you into trouble if you are not careful.

Some other beers of interest that take the form about as far as it can go are:

-Southern Tier Unearthly (http://www.southerntierbrewing.com/for%20download%20page/downloads_unearthly.html)
-Oskar Blues Gubna (http://www.oskarblues.com/the-brews/gubna)

[tsmba]

I have found the brewery web sites to be helpful. Many describe their products using standard terms like ABV and IBU (alcohol and bitterness). Written descriptions range from helpful to marketing BS. I've also found that beeradvocate.com is packed with worthwhile info.

[tsmba]

Discovered the local store carries "Two-Headed Ale" from Bell's Brewery in Michigan. Its a bit pricey, but very, very good!

[JPDyson]

Flying Dog's Snake Dog is pretty good, as is Terrapin's Hopsecutioner. I'll 2nd the likes of Stone and Dogfish Head 60/90. I'm a HUGE IPA fan. We have a member who brews a ridiculously good Copper, goes by "ibrewbeer" 'round here.

[thanks]

I'm lucky enough to live in Michigan, the home of Bell's Brewery. Personally for my money, I don't think you could find better IPA than HopSlam, or Two-Hearted. If these are available to you, try and pick them up. Of course, our local favorite Oberon, while technically not an IPA, I believe is getting famous out of state in some places and with good reason. Try and pick up a mini keg of this as well. It's a hoppy little wheat ale, although not thick and heavy like most wheat's.

[Ski-Patroller]

I just got back home to Beervana, after a road trip to the Midwest (NW Missouri) IPA seems to be much more a Pacific NW thing than a MidWest thing. While I found a lot more craft beers (in the Midwest) this year, the stores would typically only have two or three IPAs. In the Northwest, every convenience store carries Craft Beer, and even the 7/11 will probably have several IPAs. (Portland has 46 breweries, and I think they all have an IPA)

My favorites include Bridgeport's Imperial "Hop Czar" as well as well as Terminal Gravity's "IPA" and Walking Man's "Homo Erectus"

[tsmba]

Where did you look while in MO? Even in my dinky town, there are 5-6 options. The designation "IPA" is just a label, one of umpteen. There are APA's, brown ales, red ales, Imperial Pale Ales, etc. They all seem to be pretty loose standard-wise. I haven't really tried any wheat beers, and steer clear of the flavored varieties.

One thing does seem obvious: those of you on either coast have it made. I'd love to try some of the Dogfish Head brews, but have yet to see any of them available here.

[VonMises1881]

It has been mentioned a few times but I don't think it can be overstated. You must, MUST, try Bell's Two Hearted Ale. Go, right now, go get a case and try it. If you don't like it just send me whatever you don't want and I'll dispose of it for you! Also, Founders Centennial IPA is darn good too. A little more balanced in comparison to the Bell's which is more of a hop bomb, though in a gentle, loving kind of way.

[whybenormal]

Off the top of my head, some great and highly recommended IPA's in no particular order:

HopSlam (http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/287/17112/?sort=topr&start=0)

Racer 5 (http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/610/2751/?sort=topr&start=0)

Avery IPA (http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/30/2729/?sort=topr&start=0)

Heavy Seas Loose Cannon (http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/898/25755/?sort=topr&start=0)

90 Min (http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/10099/2093/?sort=topr&start=0)

Ruination (http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/147/4083/?sort=topr&start=0)

Cali-Belgique (http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/147/43905/?sort=topr&start=0)

Hop Stoopid (http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/220/35738/?sort=topr&start=0)

Stone IPA (http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/147/88/?sort=topr&start=0)

Also check out some of the beer rating websites and browse by style:

http://www.ratebeer.com/beerstyles/india-pale-ale-ipa/17/
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/style/116

:thumbup1:

[tsmba]

The problem with the Bell's product is its price....close to $11/6 in my store. I find it to be pretty smooth and well-balanced. It doesn't seem too bitter to me, though I tend to like Sierra Nevada which some folks find too bitter.

[Gravy]

It has been mentioned a few times but I don't think it can be overstated. You must, MUST, try Bell's Two Hearted Ale. Go, right now, go get a case and try it. If you don't like it just send me whatever you don't want and I'll dispose of it for you! Also, Founders Centennial IPA is darn good too. A little more balanced in comparison to the Bell's which is more of a hop bomb, though in a gentle, loving kind of way.


Lucky for me I don't live too far from those. :001_smile

I pick up Two Hearted here for just under $10 a six-pack.
I can't seem to get enough of the stuff.

[Crouse229]

I really dig a local IPA here in Houston, the St. Arnold's Elissa IPA. Top notch stuff if you ever see it anywhere.

[media]

Stone IPA is one of my favs. Pretty hoppy.

Stone IPA is amazing, I've really missed it since Im not in California anymore. It's hands down my favorite IPA, nothing else can compare. :thumbup:

[whybenormal]

Stone IPA is amazing [...] nothing else can compare. :thumbup:

Agreed, except perhaps with the exception of other Stone IPA's. :001_smile

I absolutely love Stone. Have you tried the 14th Anniversary Emperial IPA? It's an American-style Double IPA with all-British hops, which give it an excellent earthy spiciness. Highly recommended.

And then of course there's Ruination. That one still wows me every time I have it. It'll hit the spot for even the biggest hop-heads.


:thumbup:

[tsmba]

Stone's products have a fine reputation, and I hope to be able to find some. Stoudt's , Dogfish Head, and Russian River are other brands that sound promising.

[drummer4hire]

Deschutes Brewery makes an EXCELLENT IPA, called Inversion. Its got the cascade hops, making it nice and crisp. Longhammer is also a viable optiton, though i highly recommend trying the Inversion

[Phog Allen]

Agreed, except perhaps with the exception of other Stone IPA's. :001_smile

I absolutely love Stone. Have you tried the 14th Anniversary Emperial IPA? It's an American-style Double IPA with all-British hops, which give it an excellent earthy spiciness. Highly recommended.

And then of course there's Ruination. That one still wows me every time I have it. It'll hit the spot for even the biggest hop-heads.


:thumbup:

That would be quite interesting. Most American IPA's have huge dose of the three C's; Cascade, Chinook, and Centennial. This is no complaint. It makes an IPA that is superb. However, I would like to try a more tradtional British style IPA and the use of British hops would make the Stone product sounds like good one to try. A double malt Imperial, it might take the IPA to areas that make it well, not an IPA. Interesting nonetheless.

Regards, Todd

[tsmba]

I guess a "double IPA" is called an Imperial IPA, and a "triple" is referred to as a Barleywine. I haven't seen either around here. Does the brewer simply up the malt content to boost the ABV, upping the hops to compensate? I can see the potential for more flavor, but I'm not sure a very high alcohol content would be too tasty!

[Edcculus]

Imperial IPA is a separate style. In essence, a "double IPA". Alcohol strength is between 7.5-10 compared with 5.5-7.5% for American IPAs. Its not quite as simple as just doubling up on the malt and hops. A lot of IIPAs will use some sugar as fermenables for the higher ABV versions. That is to maintain balance since an all malt 9% beer would not ferment dry enough to remain drinkable. Triple isn't usually a term applied to IPA. If it is (like Stoudts), its just to signify really freaking high ABV.

Here are the three IPA styles from the BJCP website (http://www.bjcp.org/2008styles/style14.php).

[Beast]

I'm no IPA expert, but I do like New Belgium's "Ranger IPA."

[Ski-Patroller]

Where did you look while in MO? Even in my dinky town, there are 5-6 options. The designation "IPA" is just a label, one of umpteen. There are APA's, brown ales, red ales, Imperial Pale Ales, etc. They all seem to be pretty loose standard-wise. I haven't really tried any wheat beers, and steer clear of the flavored varieties.

One thing does seem obvious: those of you on either coast have it made. I'd love to try some of the Dogfish Head brews, but have yet to see any of them available here.

Shenandoah Iowa for the most part (just North of Tarkio MO). There were lots of Brown Ales and APAs, but I am a true hop head, looking for 80+IBUs and really could not find them. The other odd thing was that the brew pubs we went for dinner in Grand Junction CO and Green River WY were both out of their IPAs. That would be very uncommon in Beervana.

[Ski-Patroller]

Dale's is a Pale Ale. Oskar Blues makes an IPA called Gordon.

Whats so bad about cans? Really, cans are a superior package to bottles. No light can get in, creates a better seal to oxygen. Both of those things mean the beer has a better shelf life. Factor in that cans are a lot lighter and cheaper to ship. Aluminum is a lot more recyclable than glass too. Finally, you can take cans to places like the beach, rivers, pools where glass isn't allowed. I know cans have a stigma of "cheap beer" and bottles are deemed to be "high end". Its really not the case, especially since you should be pouring it in a glass anyways.

Also, the "it picks up metal taste" argument is bull too. They line the cans so the beer never actually touches metal.

I think most craft breweries would switch to cans if the price of canning equipment and minimum can orders weren't so darn high.

+1 for Dales Pale Ale. It has more hops than many IPAs i've had.

There are a lot of craft breweries that are starting to Can. There is a new small scale canning line made in Canada, that is designed for Micro Brewers, and it is starting to have an impact. Oscar Blues, Brew Free or Die, Caldera, and several more. I really like cans for picnics, camping and canoeing trips.

[Boba Fett]

Has anyone had the new Sam Adams IPA? Latitude 48, with English, German, and American hops. It is pretty good, and the only IPA I really enjoy. Most of them just don't have a flavor I like, like Bells Two Hearted Ale or Sierra Nevada's IPA's are just too hoppy for me.

[OldAF]

Just had a Mojo IPA. Strong hops and very strong grapefruit notes. Bit strange, but I liked it.

[Mr. Tettnanger]

My first post here and on one of my favorite topics = BEER!!!

My hometown brewery, Victory Brewing in Downingtown, PA., has a fantastic IPA called Hop Devil. Their beers are becoming more and more available in other states.

http://victorybeer.com/beers/hopdevil/

I also really enjoy Troegs HopBack, Harrisburg, PA., They call it an amber ale, but it really is more in the IPA profile in my opinion. The IBU's (hop bitterness value) are more noticeable than in most amber ales.

http://www.troegs.com/our_brews/hopback_amber_ale.aspx

The Beer Advocate website lists many popular beers, check them out:

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/style/116


PS. I really am enjoying this site and I find the amount of respectful banter, kind offers, and general helpfulness of most posters rather refreshing! I will do my best to add to the comraderie!

[Cyclocat]

Deschutes Brewery makes an EXCELLENT IPA, called Inversion. Its got the cascade hops, making it nice and crisp. Longhammer is also a viable optiton, though i highly recommend trying the Inversion

+1 for Inversion as well. I had it when I was back home visiting in MT and it's delicious. I'm just sad Deschutes doesn't make it this far east....

[whybenormal]

My first post here and on one of my favorite topics = BEER!!!

My hometown brewery, Victory Brewing in Downingtown, PA., has a fantastic IPA called Hop Devil. Their beers are becoming more and more available in other states.

http://victorybeer.com/beers/hopdevil/

I also really enjoy Troegs HopBack, Harrisburg, PA., They call it an amber ale, but it really is more in the IPA profile in my opinion. The IBU's (hop bitterness value) are more noticeable than in most amber ales.

http://www.troegs.com/our_brews/hopback_amber_ale.aspx

The Beer Advocate website lists many popular beers, check them out:

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/style/116


PS. I really am enjoying this site and I find the amount of respectful banter, kind offers, and general helpfulness of most posters rather refreshing! I will do my best to add to the comraderie!

Ah, HopDevil is fantastic! I really want to try Wild Devil some day, too.

Also, your username is excellent. Very noble. haha

[JamieW]

+100 to the Dogfish Head 90 Min IPA's. That's the gold standard by which every IPA, nay every beer, should be judged. Careful, though, a little dab 'l do ya!

[FLTiger]

Stone had an event at my local bar, and I managed to walk out with a bomber of their 14th Anniversary Imperial IPA (http://www.stonebrew.com/anniv/ale/). I've not tried it yet, though.

[Cyclocat]

Stone had an event at my local bar, and I managed to walk out with a bomber of their 14th Anniversary Imperial IPA (http://www.stonebrew.com/anniv/ale/). I've not tried it yet, though.

Ironically I was just going to post up here about the 14th Anniversary Emperial IPA. If you're an IPA fan you will like it but the hops are a bit different than what we're normally used to in our IPAs over here. You get alot more spicy and earthy notes from it then the normal citrusy flowery that we get accustomed to over here. It's an excellent IPA though and a nice departure hops wise. Congrats on winning the bomber I had to shell out about $7 for one of the 1+ pint bottles of it.