some damn good IPA's out there

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Originally Posted by gunit130

Drink a Flying Dog - Raging Bitch Belgian Style IPA right now. Not the typical tasting IPA, much better IMO.

8.3% abv

Highly recommend

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Highly disagree.
Complete thumbs down. WTF is a Belgian style-IPA? Tastes like a Heffenwizen mixed with a mediocre pale ale - weird mix of tastes and completely a brewer's fuck-off project if you ask me.

On the other hand I do have give props to two decent local offerings, North End Tavern's IPA (Parkersburg WV) and Mountain State Brewing Co. Seneca IPA. Mountain State has been a favorite for a few years, but the N.E.T. IPA really surprised me - amazing aromatic hops, clean finish, holds it's own against all comers. I'd put up against the Green Flash, Dogfish, and Hopdevils of the IPA world.

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Originally Posted by Hugh Conway

Bevmo, Whole Foods and New Leaf have it in bottles

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ahhh, maybe the Denogginizer is best consumed on draft then. Although I do really enjoy Drakes IPA out of the bottle.

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Originally Posted by Dantheman

http://www.ratebeer.com/beerimages/full_size/56121.jpg

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All you could drink Steelhead Doubles at Biketoberfest in Fairfax (Marin County) last weekend :D

plus Lagunitas Hop Stoopid, El Toro IPA, and Bear Republic Racer 5 - admission was just $20!

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Originally Posted by MarsB

Highly disagree.
Complete thumbs down. WTF is a Belgian style-IPA? Tastes like a Heffenwizen mixed with a mediocre pale ale - weird mix of tastes and completely a brewer's fuck-off project if you ask me.

On the other hand I do have give props to two decent local offerings, North End Tavern's IPA (Parkersburg WV) and Mountain State Brewing Co. Seneca IPA. Mountain State has been a favorite for a few years, but the N.E.T. IPA really surprised me - amazing aromatic hops, clean finish, holds it's own against all comers. I'd put up against the Green Flash, Dogfish, and Hopdevils of the IPA world.

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Both belgian style IPAs I've tried are delicious. Raging Bitch and Southern Tier Gemini.

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Tastes like a Heffenwizen mixed with a mediocre pale ale

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In my opinion that is a grossly oversimplified description and just completely off base. You don't have to like it, but they are some damn good beers. Definitely not a fuck-off project.

Not a bad change of pace from your typical crisp, hoppy tasting IPAs. These have the complexity of taste but go down a little bit smoother, which is nice if you're in the mood for that.

Another vote for Pliny the Elder, good stuff, one of my favorites

I hear you Captain, perhaps I was a wee bit judgmental. It just strikes me as a collision of two perfectly good styles that have no reason (historical, regional, or taste) of being put together. YMMV

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Originally Posted by MarsB

I hear you Captain, perhaps I was a wee bit judgmental. It just strikes me as a collision of two perfectly good styles that have no reason (historical, regional, or taste) of being put together. YMMV

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I'd agree the Stone Cali-Belgique is just weird as are the couple others I've had.

Fucking impressed by an iba right this very moment - india black ale


Speakeasy Midnight Run black IPA at Toronado in SF. Perfectly balanced and tastes great as it warms up. Great balance of fruity hops with a nice accent of toasted oak and chocolate. FaNnnnnnnnntasticmmmmmmmmm

This thread sucks. It reminds me that, in spite of all the progress we've made as a nation, I can't have Ninkasi, Russian River Brewing Co, O'Dell's and Bell's all in the same day.

no you can't ... but WTF are you complaining about? You can MUNI down to City Beer Store and come pretty damn close at City Beer Store by getting
Avery Maharajah, Russian River Pliny the Elder, Port Hop 15, Alesmith, Mad River, Grand Teton, Green Flash, Ballast Point, Bear Republic, etc etc etc, all in one day.


http://www.citybeerstore.com/beer-store/beers/a

There's maggots here who are lucky to find a store within 30 miles that has 1 of those beers, let alone all of them!!!!

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Originally Posted by Hugh Conway

I'd agree the Stone Cali-Belgique is just weird as are the couple others I've had.

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Haven't tried that one yet. I suppose these belgian style ipas just aren't for everybody. Apparently they are for me and not for you!

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Originally Posted by Captain Anal

Both belgian style IPAs I've tried are delicious. Raging Bitch and Southern Tier Gemini.

Not a bad change of pace from your typical crisp, hoppy tasting IPAs. These have the complexity of taste but go down a little bit smoother, which is nice if you're in the mood for that.

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Ommegang BPA is excellent as well (too bad its a limited release, only been able to enjoy one bottle). Smooth, creamy and mildly hoppy all at the same time.

I'll make it a point to try Raging Bitch and Gemini.

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Originally Posted by MarsB

It just strikes me as a collision of two perfectly good styles that have no reason (historical, regional, or taste) of being put together. YMMV

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Historical: No this style has no basis, yet.

Regional: It's called the USofFKNA. the melting pot, Belgian and English styles coming together, it makes sense. In 150 years, this will give this style historical significance

Taste: This is really where this style has some basis. It's a good beer, not sure if I'd follow your description of a Hefe with an IPA mixed in, more like a Witte and an IPA, but thats just splitting hairs at this point.
It tastes good (to me at least) and provides an alternative to hop heavy west coast style IPAs and hopless (or hop heavy) wheat beers.

It may be a brewer fuck around project, but I've got no problem with that. Thats what drives innovation. If brewers hadn't fucked around and tried to make a beer that could stand up to the trip to India, we wouldn't have this thread.

there's nothing English in style about the beers being discussed in this thread other than the name.

I really underestimated the number of craft IPAs available these days. I enjoy my local brewery's IPAs the most just cause I know they didn't spend any time in a delivery van but I can't get over how good New Belgium's Ranger IPA is. Particularly the flavor it makes your burps. Never have I enjoyed my own flatulence as much.

The Library in Laramie, WY had Inversion IPAs for a buck during the Boise State game, the Pokes got beat down but I was drunk as hell on 10 bucks so good day at the end of it. Inversion is surprisingly chuggable. :D They also have an outstanding Imperial IPA on tap nearly year round. 7200' msl is also a good starting place for a heady buzz; or a drunken shit show.

Anyone dig on MOJO IPA by Boulder Beer? Very heavy citrus flavors work well with the pointed notes of the hops. Good things happen in Boulder.

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Originally Posted by Viva

The San Diego beer scene is pretty unfortunate. Green Flash IPA is really good and AleSmith's IPA is pretty fucking excellent. After those two, you have to visit Pizza Port or Oggi's Pizza for good IPA on tap.

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Viva, I know I'm quoting you from a year ago but its SD beer week. And I've recently had some great beers in SD. Did a Brew Hop Tour.

Ballast Point was of the hook good. They had an amazing ginger IPA and a whiskey barrel beer that I want to dip my girlfriends body in.

http://sdbw.org/events/

Always during my B-day, very sweet!
There were some excellent beer pairings last year at some restaurants but don't see the same ones.
Lots of events involving Maui Brewing this year. Can't wait to get some CoCoNut Porter on tap.

gonehucking, that High Tide IPA from Port Brewing should be in season now. A must try for any hop-head...

Was just in albuquerque and stopped by Marble brewing for some food and brews. They put out a tasty IPA. I liked the way it tastes with the green chile that is so ubiquitous down there. Stop by if you're in town, the brewery is laid back and the beer is cheap. IMO it was one of the more enjoyable places to drink downtown.

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Originally Posted by The SMP

Was just in albuquerque and stopped by Marble brewing for some food and brews. They put out a tasty IPA. I liked the way it tastes with the green chile that is so ubiquitous down there. Stop by if you're in town, the brewery is laid back and the beer is cheap. IMO it was one of the more enjoyable places to drink downtown.

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I buy Marble IPA every time I'm down there. Lefthand in Longmont has a couple new ones with the Oxymoron and the Warrior IPA being my latest favorites.

Just got home from the neighborhood super duper market (read: not a liquor store) and got some goodies
who wants to come over to my place?

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4057/...cf5d20da_b.jpg

hmmm what to go after first ...

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Originally Posted by hartzejr

more hoppy than most double or triples that I've had. But still fkn smoove.

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...YWjDnRFeHWOa0=

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HOOOOOOOOLY PINEAPPLE BATMAN!

Smoove alright. It could use a little more tongue biting hops (no idea what does this, Chinook?) but it's got a nice balance of sweetish fruit (straight pineapple!) to balance the alcohol. Just a touch more tonguebite and I'd be pretty impressed.

Coronado Brewing makes a very tasty IPA (and I finally found a local place that sells their 6ers).

Ballast Point IPA still gives me a headache (which sucks because it tastes damn good).

Ale Smith sucks now because they changed their hops (others agree with me). Something was lost. While it's no longer my first choice, it's still better than that swill that Stone markets as an IPA.

Oggi's Pizza still brews a damn fine IPA. Had a couple of pints the other night while watching Goatboy Kiffen futher degrade a once glorious football program. They call it Torrey Pines IPA and it's also available in 32oz bottles at various liquor stores.

Green Flash is now selling (at least locally) their West Coast IPA in 4-pacs for $8-9! Guess I won't be buying much of that anymore.:nonono2:

SN Celebration is out now. I don't think it's officially an IPA, but it is for all intents and purposes. Just picked up a six-pack yesterday but haven't had one yet.

O'dells IPA on nitro at their tasting room was probably the best beer(or3) I've ever had in my life. Its was like a fistfull of hops and a fistfull of grapefruit smashing smoothly into my face.

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Originally Posted by Viva

Green Flash is now selling (at least locally) their West Coast IPA in 4-pacs for $8-9!

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Had their Imperial on draft last night, $6 a pint, not a bad deal at 9.4%. The thing was like mango hop juice ... no resin, no sticky dank, no pine. Not very bitter either, just enough to give texture but nothing like bigger California style IPAs. Kind of odd considering how opaque and cloudy it looked. But it was pretty wild starting the night with a Big Swell, which was straight pineapple, and then going to Green Flash Imperial, which was straight mango. Just to be sure I wasn't making up flavors I drank the Green Flash alongside a bit of Pliny :)

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Originally Posted by flowtron's ghost

O'dells IPA on nitro

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never had an IPA on nitrogen, what's it do for the mouthfeel? Does the head not last as long?

I've come to discover that as far as bang for the buck, Sierra Nevada Torpedo is the best. It's 9 bucks a sixer at Wegmans, but is on sale for 8 about half the time. That being said, I still buy the Ithaca Flower Power for 10.50 a sixer

here in NorCal Lagunitas IPA on sale for $15 a 12-pack is my bang for the buck IPA ... great quality at a competitive price. Other ones from Deschutes, Full Sail, Pyramid ... much lacking there.

Odell's IPA. That is all.

Had a few different Wet Hop IPAs this year. Freshly picked hops dumped in during the boil. Gives an amazingly fresh, crisp, hop flavor with a lighter body.

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Originally Posted by shredgnar

Had a few different Wet Hop IPAs this year. Freshly picked hops dumped in during the boil. Gives an amazingly fresh, crisp, hop flavor with a lighter body.

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The Lefthand Warrior IPA is wet hopped and I think it's great but less "hoppy" than a normal IPA. Good shit.

For those of you on the right coast side of things, Ithaca Flower Power is a nice IPA that I've had a couple of 6ers of lately.

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Originally Posted by concretejungle

The Lefthand Warrior IPA is wet hopped and I think it's great but less "hoppy" than a normal IPA. Good shit.

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Agreed, not as bitter but still hoppy enough. More aromatic. Dam brewery's Wet hop was brewed with hops that were picked within 24 hours of the brew. That kind of freshness is hard to beet.

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Originally Posted by SchralphMacchio

never had an IPA on nitrogen, what's it do for the mouthfeel? Does the head not last as long?

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Heh, you said "mouthfeel".

Nitro can be a mixed bag, sometimes I find ales just end up being rather flat if its not done 'right'....but I honestly have no idea what 'right' entails in terms of gas pressure and all that...I just know what the beer goes down like. That particular day and location was exceptional. It was smooth w/out being flat. Easy drinking, which was good, b/c I wanted a lot of it while we were there.

As far as the head, again I think it has more to do with the set up and the individual pour. I guess I prefer pours to be a rather thin head that sticks around a bit.

Over the weekend we did the semi-underground PintToPint ride. It involved a lot of IPA for most folks. We started at Ironworks Brewery in Lakewood with a pint their Hopkilla (6.5%), then rode about 15miles and a few thousand vert to the aid station, which for me was a can of Gubna and a Honey Stinger stroopwaffle(my alltime favorite), then a solid if a little tipsy climb up Apex and a rip down Chimney Gulch trail to Golden City Brewery for a few shared pitchers of their IPA, for a total 23-ish miles/3400 vert.

Mtn Bikes, friends and IPA=victory

Not sure how I missed it but Bear Republic's Hot Rod Rye is delicious.

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Originally Posted by ArmadaBC

Bear Republic's Hot Rod Rye is delicious.

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Hop Rod Rye

Especially good on tap fresh at the brewery in wine country, just north of Santa Rosa (where Russian River Brew Co is located).


flowtron, that sounds like pretty good win ... I woulda collapsed on that last climb :)

Sierra Nevada Hoptimum is a damn tasty IIPA.

is it finally released for this year? I remember that thing being a Cascade and Centennial bomb ... almost tangeriney!

SF Beer Week coming up! I've got to bump the thread later with the awesome events ... can't wait for PTY:ufo:

Had my first bottle last week :) Hop awesome!

If you can get it check out Mayhem Belgian style double IPA 8.2% from midnight sun here in Anchorage.

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Originally Posted by Chugachjed

If you can get it check out Mayhem Belgian style double IPA 8.2% from midnight sun here in Anchorage.

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Midnight Sun makes some fine beers :)

Pain to find them in the lower 48 IME, guess that means an excuse to go to Alaska :wink: