When it comes to IPAs, I am typically the guy that immediately wants to start talking about New England IPAs. They are delicious but I think it is really important to remember the iconic IPAs that have helped shape the modern IPA. Many of the highest regarded IPAs are still quite difficult to get even if you are in the same region that it is brewed.
So I have come up with the top 4 IPAs that every diehard craft beer fan needs to make sure they try at least once. To make it fun, I chose one from each region (West, East, South and Midwest). Because no matter where you live; there is great beer close by.
West – Pliny The Elder by Russian River
Location: Santa Rosa, California ABV: 8% IBU: 100
Many consider this the quintessential West Coast IPA. It is full of bitter hops that bring out piney flavors that tend to define this style. As an Imperial IPA, it has a solid malt backbone to help balance out the “in your face” hops.
If you are not a Californian, then trading is really the only option that you have to attain this delicious beer. But do not fear; many that can get this IPA are willing to trade to get the best beers from the rest of the nation. As you will see below; this beer scores perfect on both RateBeer and Beer Advocate so it is worth the effort to score a bottle or two.
Untappd Rating: 4.56 / 5 Stars
RateBeer Rating: Overall 100 / Style 100
Beer Advocate Rating: BA Score 100
Related Post – Haze Craze: Why The New England IPA Is So Popular
East – Heady Topper by The Alchemist
Brewery Location: Stowe, Vermont ABV: 8% IBU: 100
This beer was brewed to feature fruit flavors of mango, pineapple, etc. And despite have very high IBUs, it is not as bitter as other IPAs which helped introduce the concept of an IPA that didn’t focus on hop bitterness but rather hop flavors.
In addition, they were canning this being long before it was cool. Needless to say it is a trend setting beer and if you are a craft beer fan then make sure you cross this one off your list.
Untappd Rating: 4.64 / 5 Stars
RateBeer Rating: Overall 100 / Style 100
Beer Advocate Rating: BA Score 100
South – Jai Alai by Cigar City Brewing
Location: Tampa, Florida ABV: 7.5% IBU: 70
What makes this beer unique to this list is its availability. While the others require luck and/or hard work to attain; Jai Alai is widely distributed in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, New Jersey and New York. If you live in those areas then chances are you can go buy a six pack today.
What also makes it different than the rest of this list is I consider this a traditional IPA. Jai Alai is all about the sharp up front hop bitterness with undertones of citrus. It isn’t trying to be anything other than a stand out IPA. Anyone I know grabs a least 1 six pack when visiting Florida. If you want a challenge; look for the Jai Alai aged on white oak. It is a really unique variation that mellows out this IPA but is much harder to track down.
Untappd Rating: 4.04 / 5 Stars
RateBeer Rating: Overall 99 / Style 99
Beer Advocate Rating: BA Score 94
Midwest – Zombie Dust by Three Floyds
Location: Munster, Indiana ABV: 6.2% IBU: 50
You will notice the lower ABV and midrange IBUs in this beer which many will say adds to its appeal as it is easy to enjoy a few of them without over indulging or getting burnt out.
Three Floyd’s distributes into my hometown of Cincinnati but I still have a hard time tracking this one down. So if there are West and East Coast IPAs, I think this should be called a Midwest IPA and it is one of the best you can find.
Untappd Rating: 4.43 / 5 Stars
RateBeer Rating: Overall 100 / Style 100
Beer Advocate Rating: BA Score 100
Related Post – New England IPA: Just Another IPA Or A Style Of Its Own?
Have You Had These Iconic IPAs?
Through trading or travel, I have had the pleasure of having each of these hoppy beers. Each brings their own uniqueness to the style. Pliny The Elder is blunt with its hop bitterness. Heady Topper takes the opposite approach and focuses on easy drinking and fruit flavors. The classic taste of Jai Alai makes it an all time classic in this style. Then there is Zombie Dust which sits right in the middle (ironic since it’s from the Midwest). It has the bitter hops but also juicy flavor for a perfectly balanced beer.
Have you had a chance to try any of these? They aren’t easy to get but if you can; you will happily remember the time when you sipped on one of the most iconic IPAs.