some damn good IPA's out there

[SchralphMacchio]

It's called Novare Res, and yes, it's awesome. Just moved to SF, so enjoying the easy access to bear republic and all sort of west coast goodies.

Schuss, didn't know you were a hophead. Once you're settled I'm more than happy to show you around, beerwise ... maybe a singletrack day at Annadel in Santa Rosa followed by a Russian River BrewCo in Santa Rosa, Taps in Petaluma, and/or Moylan's in Novato on the way home trip? A few other TGR singletrack hop lovers I know of too ...

[mmmthmtskier]

A little thread hijack for San Diego Beer Week November 4-13 2011:

http://sdbw.org/events/

There are a lot more events than this, I guess most are still in the planning stages. Some excellent IPA's down there and a visit to Stone is a must...

[Ted Striker]

Yeah, never been a widmer fan... (but) Nelson dipa... x114...
"Falconer's IPA"...

I've always been meh on Widmer too, but they've been killing it lately. I'd add Deadlift to that list as well.

Descutes Confluence #2 are worth the IPA'ers purview.

Worth the $6.xx that the local Haggen wants for it?

[booner]

This is the nectar...the shizzle. It's unbeatable.

[gatorboy]

uglymoney, keep trying with flyover country ... I think Bell's Two Hearted is decent - I mean freaking bitter as all hell - but it still lacks the citrus, plant resin, and fragrance of west coast styles. I'd like to try more.

The only Michigan IPA that comes close to the citrus and fragrance of a west coast style that I have had is Arbor Brewing's Arborealis. It's as close to Avery's Maharaja that I've tasted. Unfortunately...it's a small batch, keg only release.

[MakersTeleMark]

The Inversions have been kicking my ass lately. Nice balance of malt and hops, but man, they are potent for such a drinkable ale. Usually the big boys let me know up front of their full intentions, not so with this one.

[SchralphMacchio]

The only Michigan IPA that comes close to the citrus and fragrance of a west coast style that I have had is Arbor Brewing's Arborealis. It's as close to Avery's Maharaja that I've tasted. Unfortunately...it's a small batch, keg only release.

Thanks for the rec. I'll stop my west coast snobbery now, because not all IPAs need to taste like San Diego or NorCal styled beers; innovation in trying new things and attention to detail is what makes craft beers so special. I just got tired of east coast IPAs that I felt were more an exercise in use of malts than use of hops.

And not everything needs to be punch you in the face dank/resiny/aromatic either. One of the most interesting and enjoyable IPAs I tried this summer was Anderson Valley Brew Co's Wee Geech. 4% alcohol content, grassy look, and very light citrusy resiny hops. An IPA that you can drink on a hot day on the (frisbee) golf course, at a backyard barbeque, after a big day of singletrack or skintrack when you want a beer but are dehydrated as all hell ... really good stuff!

[schuss]

Schuss, didn't know you were a hophead. Once you're settled I'm more than happy to show you around, beerwise ... maybe a singletrack day at Annadel in Santa Rosa followed by a Russian River BrewCo in Santa Rosa, Taps in Petaluma, and/or Moylan's in Novato on the way home trip? A few other TGR singletrack hop lovers I know of too ...

Sounds awesome. I do draw the line at things like hop stoopid (just too flowery), but other than that I do enjoy a fine IPA. First thing I did was grab some Pliny the Elder (tasty) when I got into town.
I cut my teeth here - http://www.barleypub.com/ in Dover, NH. They typically had 8-10 micros and often a cask conditioned selection (and PBR, of course). As a result, my friends and I became brewfest and tasting regulars everywhere.

[Woodsy]

Barrier did an event at the Pony bar last night and i reallly enjoyed their Mare Undarum & Belgian 1 pale ale, different takes on a Belgian IPA,
very good

[Mustonen]

If you're looking for something SUPER hoppy, try Victory Brewing's Hop Wallop. Used to be seasonal but now they're making it year-round!

Just bought a sixer of this yesterday. Delicious. I didn't think it was SUPER hoppy... I thought it was actually pretty balanced, more like a big IPA than an IIPA. Not as boozy or caramelly as most DIPAs I really like, but not grapefruity at all like Founder's Double Trouble can be.

[dumpy]

This is the nectar...the shizzle. It's unbeatable.

I just realized, I work 10 minutes from their brewery and I think I've only ever bought one growler of Flower Power. What the fuck is wrong with me?

Shit is tasty.

[Name Redacted]

Tried the new Belgo from New Belgium last night. Pretty nice balance of hops and yeast spice. Just not really my favorite style but definitely a good beer.

[Yonder_River]

Washington mags: I highly recommend trying Evolutionary IPA from Two Beers Brewery. I've been buying it in aluminum lately, it's on my top five for sure. Nice mix of hops and great malt balance. Yummm!

http://www.twobeersbrewery.com/brews/evolution-ipa

[stapes]

Current fave IPA is Asher Brewing Co's Greenade Double IPA

Tasty and dangerous. So good.

[The AD]

Washington mags: I highly recommend trying Evolutionary IPA from Two Beers Brewery.

I'll be on the lookout. Where have you seen it sold?

[Yonder_River]

I'll be on the lookout. Where have you seen it sold?

I've been buying it at Marketime in upper Fremont. Bet you could shoot Two Beers an email to see where else they are stocking it.

[SchralphMacchio]

20% off beer sale at Whole Foods yesterday ...

[SchralphMacchio]

Sounds awesome. I do draw the line at things like hop stoopid (just too flowery), but other than that I do enjoy a fine IPA. First thing I did was grab some Pliny the Elder (tasty) when I got into town.
I cut my teeth here - http://www.barleypub.com/ in Dover, NH. They typically had 8-10 micros and often a cask conditioned selection (and PBR, of course). As a result, my friends and I became brewfest and tasting regulars everywhere.

oh snap! I forgot to PM you! went to Annadel today with some buds for 22 miles of singletrack and then followed that up with Damnation 23 and Pliny at Russian River! Next time! (see ya weds)

[Hugh Conway]

FYI: the Widmer IPA's are coming with a $2 off/each with purchase of 2 6-ers (or two 4 packs of the Nelson IIPA or the Pitchblack IPA). that works out to $6+tax+bs at Safeway for a 6er.

The O'Ryley (3rd of the Rotators) is nice. Not as floraly hoped, bit more spicy, nice beer still. Best in the bunch at the price.

[uglymoney]

Today's beer selection in Moose. I ran out of the Tyranena Hop Whore - man that stuff is tasty. Not as full as the IIPA from New Glarus and a different smoother finish. The IIPA is still better - it'd be better yet if it finished just a tad smoother but all in all I love it and I hope they brew it again - I bought three cases of it and I'm down to about a half a case. Bought a sixer of Lagunita Maximus from California and it was meh. Drank it as garbage beer while I was mowing the yard. The NG Black Top IPA is interesting. Pours dark and it is pretty mellow throughout. I like it. The Moon Man Pale Ale is good for what it is and the Tyranena Bitter Woman is a perfectly decent beer as well but it tastes sooo much better straight out of the keg from the brewery = buy the Hop Whore instead.

[Bobby Stainless]

Caldera ftw.

[schuss]

oh snap! I forgot to PM you! went to Annadel today with some buds for 22 miles of singletrack and then followed that up with Damnation 23 and Pliny at Russian River! Next time! (see ya weds)

Curses! All good though, spent the day slightly hungover (Sidecar specials at the Page = Dangerous) and bumming about the city checking out the Snowboard jam and chilling in Alamo Square.
Which Whole foods had the sale? Been really enjoying the bridgeport kingpin (not an IPA, but delicious)

[ectreeskier11]

uinta came out with a new beer, the dubhe black IPA. it's pretty awesome, $1.65 a bottle here in UT and is 9.2%. worth checking out for sure.

[Altaholic]

Not sure if this has been mentioned so far, but when I was back home in VT, found out that The Alchemist has started canning the Heady Topper. A small brew pub(that got raped from the flooding by Hurricane/Trop. Storm Irene, but is currently being restored/rebuilt) in Waterbury, VT. It is a double IPA at 9% & got an A on BeerAdvocate.com.

The head guy of The Alchemist worked for a long time in the Tetons at Grand Teton Brewing if I remember correctly before moving back east to VT.

[Altaholic]

uinta came out with a new beer, the dubhe black IPA. it's pretty awesome, $1.65 a bottle here in UT and is 9.2%. worth checking out for sure.

I forgot about Squatter's 'Hop Rising' Double IPA, drinking it right now. When I flew into SLC last week & was there for 36 hours, I picked up a 6 pack at the state liquor store. Not bad for $9, 75 IBUs, 9% ABV & a beer advocate rating of an A-. I'll admit, brewers in Utah do a fine job with full strength beers.

I may miss those epic pow days in LCC, however I don't miss the bull shit of the Utah alcohol laws. I enjoy how Jackson still gets solid pow, killer bc terrain, & awesome beer. It's a drinkin' town, with bad problem in outdoor activities. I do love how the Tetons boast four breweries on boast sides of the range: Snake River (WY), Thai Me Up (WY), Grand Teton (ID) & Wildlife (ID) brewing.