HOP-heads unite (whats your favorite I.P.A. ?)

funkmonkey · « **Reply #80 on:** 14 Oct 2012, 05:25 pm »

Heads up to fans of Bear Republic (Racer 5)... I got a notice a couple of weeks ago that Racer X (double IPA) made it's way into bottles... should be on the shelves very soon. I haven't had or seen it yet, but am anxiously awaiting it's arrival.

On a side note... I have had a few pints of Pliny the Elder in the past and thought it was excellent, and have played the game with my local bottle shop by asking for it when I go in. They do not display it on their shelves, you have to ask. Another place around here displays it openly but has a sign on the shelf that states "only 1 per customer," that shelf is usually empty. Anyway I had a Tulip of Pliny the Elder the other day after trying a couple of other IPAs that were on tap. The bartender told me that they had just gotten the Keg the day before and tapped it a couple of hours ago... Hands down, the best glass of beer I have ever enjoyed! Amazing how much better beer can taste when it is fresh and out of a tap.

Also found a new batch of Port Brewing Co. Hop 15 that is excellent... this one has to be fresh to taste great... otherwise it's just pretty good.

funkmonkey · « **Reply #81 on:** 17 Dec 2014, 08:03 am »

Just had to resurect this thread to see if there are any new additions... (seems like there are always new IPA out to try)

I have a couple of ones that haven't been mentioned yet, both from the same brewery:

Hangar 24

The Double IPA (only available in 22oz. bottles (...and growlers if you are close to the brewery, or passing by)) has become my beer of choice these days, and I just found out that their Betty IPA (in a 6 pack, yay!) is available at my local Trader Joes! Sweet!

The Betty is also great (IMO) both are distinctive and I would choose them over most everything I have tried.

CHEERS! and hoppy holidaze

BobM · « **Reply #82 on:** 17 Dec 2014, 01:34 pm »

Let me check my beer log on my "Untappd" phone app. If you are a beer drinker and like variety then you should check out this app.

So, my highest rated IPA's (all 4.5 stars) are:

Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA
Finestkind IPA - Smuttynose
Fuller's ESB
Heady Topper - the Alchemist brewery
Freak of Nature - Wicked Weed Brewing
Sisters of the Moon - Mother Earth Brewing

Gopher · « **Reply #83 on:** 17 Dec 2014, 03:03 pm »

Top 5 for me in no particular order:

Pliny the Elder
Avery Maharaja (total sleeper)
Cigar City Jai Alai
Sierra Nevada Hoptimum
Dogfish head 90 (120 too)

rajacat · « **Reply #84 on:** 17 Dec 2014, 03:44 pm »

Another Bear Republic Racer 5 fan here!

Devil Doc · « **Reply #85 on:** 17 Dec 2014, 04:45 pm »

I only drink beer with food and IPAs seem to pair with most of what I eat. My favorite is a local brew, because local beer is the best beer.

Smuttynose Finestkind.

Doc

DaveC113 · « **Reply #86 on:** 17 Dec 2014, 04:50 pm »

My local brewery (Post Brewing in Lafayette, CO) just came out with a double IPA, at 9% it's more of a 1.5 IPA but it's also one of the best I've ever had, in league with Dogfishhead and Pliney.

Best more common IPA is O'Dells out of Fort Collins, CO. A year ago or so a Boulder, CO liquor store had a shoot out with 30+ different IPAs and O'Dells came out on top, which confirmed my personal bias!

Triode Pete · « **Reply #87 on:** 17 Dec 2014, 07:00 pm »

Some of my favorites (too many too list)!...

Ballast Point Sculpin IPA
Flying Dog Raging Bitch IPA
Bell's Brewery IPA
Founder's IPA
Dogfish 90 (& 120!)...

Cheers,
Pete

ken · « **Reply #88 on:** 2 Jan 2015, 12:28 am »

Anyone try Sierra Nevada Celebration IPA? The hops are picked right from the vine and go directly into the kettle and not dried out which is generally the norm. It's seasonal and currently available now, will have to check it out.

santacore · « **Reply #89 on:** 2 Jan 2015, 06:40 am »

Quote from: ken on 2 Jan 2015, 12:28 am

Anyone try Sierra Nevada Celebration IPA? The hops are picked right from the vine and go directly into the kettle and not dried out which is generally the norm. It's seasonal and currently available now, will have to check it out.

I picked up a 6 pack right before the holidays. I've only drank 1 or 2, but enjoyed it. It didn't blow me away, but like most everything from Sierra Nevada it was enjoyable.

funkmonkey · « **Reply #90 on:** 3 Jan 2015, 06:48 am »

Yeah, not this year though... the Celebration is nice (I think) but there are so many better options out there now (including their own Torpedoe) it kind of pales (intended) by comparison...

On a side note Sierra Nevada's Coffee Stout is delicious!!! (yeah not an IPA but too good not to mention)

Nick77 · « **Reply #91 on:** 3 Jan 2015, 12:49 pm »

Quote

Amazing how much better beer can taste when it is fresh and out of a tap.

This is so true, I had a Breckenridge small batch 471 IPA on tap and it was delicious. Tried the bottles several times and while quite good something was lost in the translation.

mick wolfe · « **Reply #92 on:** 3 Jan 2015, 04:32 pm »

Just getting around to investigating IPA's, but I like Stone. Locally,( Tucson) Dragoon IPA hands down.

RPM123 · « **Reply #93 on:** 3 Jan 2015, 06:10 pm »

Russian River Brewing Company - Pliny the "Younger" (if and when you can get it) and Pliny the "Elder"
Eel River Brewing IPA

Nick77 · « **Reply #94 on:** 3 Jan 2015, 06:47 pm »

Quote from: RPM123 on 3 Jan 2015, 06:10 pm

Russian River Brewing Company - Pliny the "Younger" (if and when you can get it) and Pliny the "Elder"
Eel River Brewing IPA

Boy this one has risen to the top of my must try list, with all the comments.

asliarun · « **Reply #95 on:** 3 Jan 2015, 07:34 pm »

3 Floyds - a local brewer in Chicagoland - makes some very nice IPAs. Nice artwork too.
Alpha King, Arctic Panzer Wolf, Dreadknaught, etc.

roscoeiii · « **Reply #96 on:** 3 Jan 2015, 08:18 pm »

Quote from: asliarun on 3 Jan 2015, 07:34 pm

3 Floyds - a local brewer in Chicagoland - makes some very nice IPAs. Nice artwork too.
Alpha King, Arctic Panzer Wolf, Dreadknaught, etc.

Some great beers by 3 Floyd for sure. But damn, for Chicagoland IPAs, I find myself preferring Pipeworks and 18th Street. Spiteful and Half Acre (Heyoka especially) are also doing great IPAs.

roscoeiii · « **Reply #97 on:** 3 Jan 2015, 08:19 pm »

Quote from: RPM123 on 3 Jan 2015, 06:10 pm

Russian River Brewing Company - Pliny the "Younger" (if and when you can get it) and Pliny the "Elder"
Eel River Brewing IPA

I would love to try Pliny the Younger. My most wanted IPA.

sts9fan · « **Reply #98 on:** 3 Jan 2015, 08:33 pm »

I feel lucky to have Trillium a budding world class brewery in my back yard. They have four or five great IPAs. I was in San Diego a few weeks back and LOVED the stuff from Societe Brewing. The Pupil is a great beer.

etcarroll · « **Reply #99 on:** 3 Jan 2015, 09:29 pm »

Not a huge fan of IPA, at least not the East Coast take on it. But was in LA a month ago and someone recommended I try a Sculpin, damn that was good drinking!