some damn good IPA's out there

[strawjack]

Hearing some somewhat troubling reports of HT quality not being up to standards lately...can't confirm them personally but have heard it from several regular drinkers and from both cans and on tap locally.

So after speaking with you about that I mentioned it down here in a my local brewery and there was another master brewer from a different brewery in there (those guys just work and live beer ) who had heard the same.

I was well on my way when I had my last Heady and I really thought it was sub par. Of course, I wrote it off to being somewhat buzzed or that maybe it was old...which is highly unlikely 'cause they sell out so quick...but I'm not sure how quick restaurants sell out and if they don't do they rotate the stock.

I like the Double Jack from Firestone...that was pretty damn good.

Stoneface is brewing up their first DBL IPA due to the fact that they scored some hops to check it out with. Looking forward to that in a couple weeks.

[butterscotch]

I have a Ballast Point Sculpin IPA and Firestone Union Jack IPA waiting for me at home. I had to bring them back from the East Coast, because you can't get them in Montana (but you can get all the shitty MT breweries).

While I was back east, I had a Brewmaster Jack Hallertau Blanc pale ale that was damn tasty.

[Lexi-Bell]

(but you can get all the shitty MT breweries).

.

Please tell me you are kidding.

Right now I am drinking a Tumbleweed from Lewis &Clark in Helena, have a sixer of Hopzone from Bozone in the fridge, drank some Double Hauls from Kettlehouse in Missoula fishing Monday, got a growler fill from Bridger Brewing of the Vigilante last weekend, and sample 406 a few times a month as well.

Not to mention one of the best IPAs I have ever tasted, that stacks up right there with PTE or HT, is brewed in Helena, Montana; Blackfoot River IPA.

With a population equivalent to the city of San Francisco, and outnumbered by cattle 2 to 1, I'd say we're pretty dam lucky in the good brewery and IPA category.

[yeahman]

Tumbleweed IPA from Lewis and Clark just won an award at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver.

http://helenair.com/news/local/helen...57e7f891d.html

I happen to be drinking one as I type this, although I prefer their Prickly Pear. Prickly Pear is the best beer in Montana. Thank God they started canning it finally. (I'm partial to pale ales.)

I like a lot of the Montana micros, although I do think Washington and Oregon dominate. Blackfoot IPA is good, but the shit knocks me out and screws up my evening so I don't drink it much. I really like Tamarack in Missoula. As far as the East Coast goes--and I visit there every year--they got a lot of catching up to do.

[Driver]

I have a Ballast Point Sculpin IPA and Firestone Union Jack IPA waiting for me at home. I had to bring them back from the East Coast, because you can't get them in Montana (but you can get all the shitty MT breweries).

While I was back east, I had a Brewmaster Jack Hallertau Blanc pale ale that was damn tasty.

So you went east to get western beer and brought it back west?

Big Sky is the best and only Montana beer I've had. Not sure I've had an IPA from them, but Trout Slayer and Moose Drool are solid

[neck beard]

I'm new to big hop IPA's and just bought some Hop Bomb made by Something Brewing. It kind of hurts my mouth. Apparently it is a west coast style. I have four to finish.

I bought it a store called Liquor Box. They sell underwear that says "I went down to liquor box".

[Doremite]

I'm new to big hop IPA's and just bought some Hop Bomb made by Something Brewing. It kind of hurts my mouth. Apparently it is a west coast style. I have four to finish.

I bought it a store called Liquor Box. They sell underwear that says "I went down to liquor box".

Tacky but hilarious.

On the topic of Topper. I am doubtful it is losing a step but do believe it's own legend is hard to live up to. I think if one really judges it subjectively minus the dope can and the hype.... It is very good. Just not great. I appreciate it but always find myself scratching my head as to why it is so revered. Just one mans opinion. Curious about 2nd Fiddle.

[buttahflake]

Just cracked one canned and bought at the brewery 2 weeks ago and couldn't agree more (although I get more pineapple than apricot).

you know what?
it does taste like pineapple!
so tasty.

[beer30]

Just back from Bend, no shortage of good brews there, too many to name. Between the cheap weed and brews I dont know how anything gets done around there. God, its a great time to be a beer drinker!

[wasatchback]

Crux Fermintation Project is brewing some awesome IPAs in Bend right now. Outcast is one of my favorites.

[SchralphMacchio]

^ Half Hitch and Mosaic are wonderful.

Boneyard Skunkape IRA and Hop Venom IPA are super solid Bend beers. 10 Barrel Apocolypse has a nice bittering flavor of piney hops with real fine carbonation and big bite, but I didn't like it as much as Boneyard or Crux Fermentation Project.

Montana beers are indeed wonderful, not sure what you are smoking Butterscotch! Save the Sculpin for your trips to California! You know that stuff is from San Diego, right?

Drank a Black Diamond Moesaic session ... light amounts of fruit but not enough aromatic hops for my taste, could use some Apollo or something to funk it up.

[Captain Awesome]

It is very good. Just not great. I appreciate it but always find myself scratching my head as to why it is so revered. Just one mans opinion. Curious about 2nd Fiddle.

Agreed. Of course, I'll drink any can I can, hoping to find something that proves it's all that... It is very, very good. Maybe among the best, but its reputation (as often happens) has outpaced the beer.

I've gotta recommend the Mary Jane at Ebenezer's Brewpub in Brunswick, ME. Quite delicious.

[buttahflake]

i just finished a Rock Art Humble Harvester.
easily the best i've had from Rock Art.
it's a limited release, supporting a really great cause.
way to get after it VT!
http://www.stowetoday.com/this_week/...e9d1f119d.html

[Name Redacted]

Had a Dragoon IPA at the Tucson airport yesterday. Was a very nice bouquet of Citrus, piney, and a bit of fruit. One of the better IPA's I've had in a few weeks. Tried to stop at their brewery while we were down there, but they were closed. Thunder Valley however wasn't terrible either. Tried their selection which included a cask of their IPA with some other additions. Was pretty nice. I found all of their beers to be a little under carbonated, which might just be their style.

[teleee]

I am going to be in Sacramento for a meeting on Wednesday, is there anywhere in the area I could score a 6'er of Pliny?
Ya, I know there other beers just as good or better, but I am on a mission here.

[Doremite]

I am going to be in Sacramento for a meeting on Wednesday, is there anywhere in the area I could score a 6'er of Pliny?
Ya, I know there other beers just as good or better, but I am on a mission here.

Depending on your time and mobility you should visit Alpine.

[teleee]

Depending on your time and mobility you should visit Alpine.

Hmmm very mobile, not sure about time, I'm thinking I just might throw down for a ticket and catch the Giants play-off game.

[Doremite]

Hmmm very mobile, not sure about time, I'm thinking I just might throw down for a ticket and catch the Giants play-off game.

Shit I read San Diego. Too much IPA. Alpine nowhere near you. Hear that stadium is sweet. Go to Toronado if in SF. Should have Pliny on tap plus some Alpine greats.

[teleee]

Shit I read San Diego. Too much IPA. Alpine nowhere near you. Hear that stadium is sweet. Go to Toronado if in SF. Should have Pliny on tap plus some Alpine greats.

Ha, I was just looking up Alpine and was wondering what I had missed... I will check out Toronado.

[uglymoney]

We made it up to to Decorah last Friday night and hit Toppling Goliath's riverside pub just in time to pick up a couple rare specialties and both first tastes for me since I never seem to time my visits to releases. Right now I am enjoying the Hopsmack. Damned good - really looking forward to cracking open the Sosus this weekend. the best IPA is your local IPA but I still the TG's Zeelander is the one of the best IPA's ever. I remember just a few years ago there was nothing good coming out of this area - with a couple Wisconsin exceptions.

[Doremite]

Sosus envy. Bottle date? Enjoy!

[butterscotch]

Please tell me you are kidding.

Right now I am drinking a Tumbleweed from Lewis &Clark in Helena, have a sixer of Hopzone from Bozone in the fridge, drank some Double Hauls from Kettlehouse in Missoula fishing Monday, got a growler fill from Bridger Brewing of the Vigilante last weekend, and sample 406 a few times a month as well.

Not to mention one of the best IPAs I have ever tasted, that stacks up right there with PTE or HT, is brewed in Helena, Montana; Blackfoot River IPA.

With a population equivalent to the city of San Francisco, and outnumbered by cattle 2 to 1, I'd say we're pretty dam lucky in the good brewery and IPA category.

Not kidding, although I may be turning into somewhat of a crank. I'm glad you like our local breweries. I like some of them. Those that I do like; I find that often their IPAs aren't their best work, e.g. Bridger Brewing. I wish they would bring their red ale back. We agree on Blackfoot; their IPA is very good, although I wouldn't mention it in the same breath as "PTE". My wife goes to Helena for work once in a while and more than once I've sent her off with an empty growler to get filled at Blackfoot.

Tumbleweed IPA from Lewis and Clark just won an award at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver.

http://helenair.com/news/local/helen...57e7f891d.html

I happen to be drinking one as I type this, although I prefer their Prickly Pear. Prickly Pear is the best beer in Montana. Thank God they started canning it finally. (I'm partial to pale ales.)

I like a lot of the Montana micros, although I do think Washington and Oregon dominate. Blackfoot IPA is good, but the shit knocks me out and screws up my evening so I don't drink it much. I really like Tamarack in Missoula. As far as the East Coast goes--and I visit there every year--they got a lot of catching up to do.

Thanks for the heads up on Tumbleweed. And Prickly Pear. That's some strong praise.

So you went east to get western beer and brought it back west?

Big Sky is the best and only Montana beer I've had. Not sure I've had an IPA from them, but Trout Slayer and Moose Drool are solid

Yes, that was the point. I ended up bringing beers back to Montana from places that are much, much further away from the beer's origin. (And for the record, my Dad insisted I bring them home.) Meanwhile, every little tiny brewery in MT that somehow got their hands on a canning machine has 8 varieties of beer populating the shelves of our local stores. I know beer distribution is weird here, but it would be nice to have a few more accomplished breweries showing up on our shelves. An anecdote to illustrate my point: I brought some Dale's Pale Ale to a bbq recently and numerous hopeful individuals were crestfallen to find out that I had bought it in Wyoming, rather than Bozeman.

[MMP]

Nice Wormtown Be Hoppy.

Hop forward and smooth.

[Doremite]

^That beer has caught me off guard good on tap. Haven't had it much from can. Not sure if it can be inconsistent or just hitting in the freshness wheelhouse is the key. Enjoy!

[abraham]

Cool can.