Commercial IPAs

[Ravenshead]

Lagunita's is my favorite but Stone and Avery are close seconds. If you can find some Lagunitas Li'l Sumpin Sumpin try it. I'm not sure if it's really considered an IPA but it's one hell of a tasty hoppy beer. It has a very complicated hop bill that just comes out great.

 

[remilard]

Pliny is an IIPA.

It's on the small end of IIPA by today's standards. Barely bigger than something like Green Flash WCIPA.

As to the OP, I think you answered your own question, buy whatever is fresh where you are.

 

[ThickHead]

It's on the small end of IIPA by today's standards. Barely bigger than something like Green Flash WCIPA.

This is not untrue.

 

[bottlebomber]

Lagunita's is my favorite but Stone and Avery are close seconds. If you can find some Lagunitas Li'l Sumpin Sumpin try it. I'm not sure if it's really considered an IPA but it's one hell of a tasty hoppy beer. It has a very complicated hop bill that just comes out great.

We are lucky enough to have Tim August the main sales rep for Lagunitas in our homebrew club in Willits Ca. He doesn't actually brew himself, but they definitely brew where he works and he brings crazy new brews and specialty runs to the meetings. Most everything we get to try before it hits shelves. My personal favorite was the Wilco Tango Foxtrot (WTF) it was a one timer im pretty sure but if you got any of it it was one of the best commercial beers ever to be had. Hop Stoopid is a regular in my refridgerator.

 

[bottlebomber]

Did I just mispell refrigerator? Dammit...

 

[whitebirdfeathers]

I am not a big fan of most of Sams' stuff, but this wasn't to bad. But, when Wachusetts' Green Monsta is on tap also, theres only time for one Latitude 48.

I had a Green Monsta for the first time last weekend. Damn fine!

One local brew that I really like that is starting to be found all around North America is Central City Red Racer. Best commercial IPA that can be found in a can.

 

[Ravenshead]

We are lucky enough to have Tim August the main sales rep for Lagunitas in our home brew club in Willits Ca. He doesn't actually brew himself, but they definitely brew where he works and he brings crazy new brews and specialty runs to the meetings. Most everything we get to try before it hits shelves. My personal favorite was the Wilco Tango Foxtrot (WTF) it was a one timer im pretty sure but if you got any of it it was one of the best commercial beers ever to be had. Hop Stoopid is a regular in my refridgerator.

Lucky bastage .
Hop Stoopid was the beer that turned me on to the company. I liked WTF fairly well but it's not really my style. They make it seasonally in March so you'll want to stock up next year..

 

[spookman]

The IPA was my first love but it seems everyone and their mother brews them now and not many out there are worth mentioning. Sadly, the Fridays around here stopped carrying HopDevil and replaced it with Harpoon So I guess in my travels, here are some IPAs I am rather fond of:

Stone IPA (both IPA and Ruination)
Dogfish Heads both 60 and 90 minute IPAs
Sierra Nevada make an alright IPA
Victory HopDevil
EDIT: I knew there was one I was forgetting, thanks to brewhaha for reminding me about the Wilco Tango Foxtrot by Lagunitas. It's pretty tasty. (Although this is an Imperial Brown Ale, it is still worth mentioning.)

I know its a pretty generic list but I guess that says something. I've had a few others as well that just are not worth mentioning. At my local BuyRite, one brewery (maybe flying dog) had a description about their IPA along the lines of "Does the world need another IPA? Well no but this one is DIFFERENT!" I rolled my eyes and moved on. I also had my growler filled with Firestone Walkers Double Jack which I believe was an IIPA. However it was fantastic and if they do make an IPA I'm sure it would be equally as amazing. As for Redhook themselves, my brother had a case of their winter ale. He hated it and I drank the few that he left in the fridge and did not mind them. They were sorta bitter and lacking any other flavor profile however in time it grew on me and I preferred them at room temp. It seemed to cut the bitterness a bit.

 

[WilliamWS]

Firestone Walker does make a regular ipa-Union Jack. It's better than the double Jack in my opinion and, as I stated earlier in this thread, is what I consider the second best standard ipa available commercially, behind Cigar City Jai-alai.

 

[Toga]

My favorite commercial IPA's in order below:

Bell's Two Hearted
Founders Centennial IPA
Sierra Nevada Torpedo

 

[Ravenshead]

I know its a pretty generic list but I guess that says something. I've had a few others as well that just are not worth mentioning. At my local BuyRite, one brewery (maybe flying dog) had a description about their IPA along the lines of "Does the world need another IPA? Well no but this one is DIFFERENT!" I rolled my eyes and moved on. I also had my growler filled with Firestone Walkers Double Jack which I believe was an IIPA. However it was fantastic and if they do make an IPA I'm sure it would be equally as amazing. As for Redhook themselves, my brother had a case of their winter ale. He hated it and I drank the few that he left in the fridge and did not mind them. They were sorta bitter and lacking any other flavor profile however in time it grew on me and I preferred them at room temp. It seemed to cut the bitterness a bit.

Flying Dog's Snake Dog is actually pretty good. Belhaven's Twisted Thistle ain't bad either. They ain't great but they'll do when you just gotta have some hops and that's all there is.

 

[NegativeChirality]

This list is seriously lacking in Colorado suds!

Great Divide Titan IPA and Fresh Hop
Avery India Pale Ale and Maharaja (tho it's an imperial, of course)
Odell IPA

Avery IPA and Great Divide Titan IPA are both great.

I'll add my favorite Colorado IPA: Upslope's IPA, which is probably only buyable in the Denver/Boulder area. (Warning: I oddly find it way, way better in a can than at the brewery itself. Maybe it's the difference in how they carbonate?)

And for the record, I've never been impressed with Sierra Nevada Torpedo, and I actually dislike Stone Ruination. //shrug//

 

[Beezy]

I think Torpedo is awesome. Just went through a six pack. Founders Centennial grew on me, I was really digging it by the time I finished the 6, figures. I had a Hop Devil and it wasn't as great as I remembered it but I am hoping that the bottles where old or something. The hops where pretty lifeless. Been getting back into IPAs since the weather broke. Trying to have as many brands as I can. Finally found a place that has Russian River. Digging the locals. I really like Imperial IPAs and Black IPAs too. Like I said normally a stout and wheat type of dood but I am in the mood. They all taste unique to me. So much you can do with the hop schedules. First wort, hopback, continuous, dry hop, wet hop whatever.

 

[Hoosier-Brewer]

My favorites are DFH 60 and 90 Minute and Belles Two-Hearted.

 

[trevor_b]

Lagunitas
Deschutes Inversion
Dogfish Head 60/90
Stone

 

[McMalty]

Southern Tier - Unearthly IIPA is one of the best beers i've had and i don't even particularly favor IPAs

 

[nDub]

Agree, one of the best beers in america, any style. Very balanced.

I'll second that about Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale. I've only tried it from a bottle but I heard its amazing on tap...

I also think North Coast Acme IPA is worthy of a mention. All North Coast beers are good.

Anybody in Central CA should try "Hops of Wrath" by Dust Bowl Brewing also really good.

 

[kpr121]

I think Torpedo is awesome. Just went through a six pack. Founders Centennial grew on me, I was really digging it by the time I finished the 6, figures. I had a Hop Devil and it wasn't as great as I remembered it but I am hoping that the bottles where old or something. The hops where pretty lifeless. B

To me, Hopdevil is a completely unique IPA. With the dry piney/resin taste and smell, it tastes unlike any other. People either love it or hate it. I personally have to be in the mood for it, but when that happens it is some of the best beer for the price you can find.

 

[jeepinjeepin]

Sierra Nevada Torpedo
Laganitas IPA
Bell's Two Hearted Ale
Dog Fish Head 60/90 (I haven't had the 120)

 

[lakeshorebrewer]

Bells Two Hearted Ale
Founders Centennial IPA
Dog Fish Head 60

I was really disappointed with the Harpoons IPA when I tried it in Boston last week.

 

[kpr121]

I was really disappointed with the Harpoons IPA when I tried it in Boston last week.

Agreed. In fact, Harpoon did not impress me much at all when I picked up a variety pack last summer (except for the free beer glasses and tee shirts the distributor was giving away at the time).

 

[Beezy]

To me, Hopdevil is a completely unique IPA. With the dry piney/resin taste and smell, it tastes unlike any other. People either love it or hate it. I personally have to be in the mood for it, but when that happens it is some of the best beer for the price you can find.

I am not sure what it was. This bar I was at is more of a cocktail bar some of the beers they had where out of season. I have had many hop devil in my time but it may have been several years tbh. I want to have one on draft now. That should settle it.

 

[davefleck]

One important bit with ipas is their freshness. Often if I buy any commercial beer its because I'm away from home at a liquor store I don't know. Since I'm in CO Titan or Ranger tend to be my goto on the IPA side

 

[shelly_belly]

The best standard ipa's out there in my opinion are Cigar City Jai-alai and Firestone Walker Union Jack

Picked up my first 6-pack of Jai-Alai today and am enjoying this very much at the moment.

 

[Adrian]

Blind Pig is by far my favorite. I am at RRB least twice a week
Indica is awesome and awesome little brewery to visit.
Racer 5 is awesome and the Bear has really good beer.
Russian River IPA is a good one.
Lagunitas is a great Costco buy for me. Always buy a case when I go.
I thought Torpedo wasn't balanced well? Bought a 22oz and just didn't do it for me? Maybe i'm weird.
I wish I remember the good IPA's I had at the Boonville Beerfest sunday so I can tell ya'll

 

[neldred]

Flying Dogs standard IPA Snake Dog is VERY balanced IMHO.

 

[bh10]

Blind Pig is by far my favorite. I am at RRB least twice a week
Indica is awesome and awesome little brewery to visit.
Racer 5 is awesome and the Bear has really good beer.
Russian River IPA is a good one.
Lagunitas is a great Costco buy for me. Always buy a case when I go.
I thought Torpedo wasn't balanced well? Bought a 22oz and just didn't do it for me? Maybe i'm weird.
I wish I remember the good IPA's I had at the Boonville Beerfest sunday so I can tell ya'll

I feel the same was about Torpedo.

 

[FatherJack]

I'd like to throw in a recommendation for Shipyard IPA.

It's a nice mellow IPA that is made in the more traditional English sense. It's not an American citrus hop bomb (which are YUMMMMS) but it's a worthy beer.

 

[Burgs]

Flying Dogs standard IPA Snake Dog is VERY balanced IMHO.

Yes, I like Snake Dog quite a bit. All my suggestions have already been suggested:

Two Hearted, Torpedo, Stone, Founder's Centennial - all really good!

 

[autoferret]

I can't help myself to get trashed at a place that has DFH 90min on tap!