Is there a better Canadian IPA than....

It all depends on your personal likes.

I personally drain poured that beer. Smelled nice at first but turned me way off after a few sips.


From what I like in canadian IPAs I'd have to go with Driftwood's Fat Tug as my number one. Muskoka Mad Tom and Flying monkeys smashbomb are close behind.

(talking about bottled here, taps and casks aren't involved)

 

Yes.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/10321/49058

 

That one is quite good also.

 

Yes.

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/18858/53309

 

That one was delicious. Not available often enough to be in my choices though.

 

Leo's is absolutely fantastic! I have 2 more in my fridge, trying to savor them. Definitely one of the best IPAs to come out of Quebec, but Canada? Not so sure about that... ask the nice BC folks to send you some stuff, haha!

 

Sartori has been great in the past, last years was a'ight.... at best.

As for best IPA in Canada, I'm going to go with
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/25428/73356

Super solid, exactly what I look for in an IPA.
Honorable mentions to Red Racer, P49 and Driftwood.

 

Yes. Just came into this thread to mention Hoppin' Cretin. That beer is quickly becoming my favorite single IPA brewed in BC. It's surprisingly dry and hoppy, it reminds me of a single IPA version of Green Flash's Imperial IPA.

I'm always apprehensive about trying IPAs brewed on the East Coast since they're almost always way maltier than I prefer my IPAs to be (Heady Topper notwithstanding). Obviously, I've never had the Early Breakfast (although I've definitely had a few early breakfasts if you catch my drift hehn hehn hehn), but most people seem to go berserk over Dogfish Head output and Hopslam and I've found them to be really really malty. Hopslam was pretty enjoyable, though, I guess. I just don't think I'd ever pick it over something like Pliny the Elder or even a Sculpin.

 

I haven't experienced the delights of many IPAs from east of Manitoba, but...

For my money, Driftwood's Fat Tug and Sartori are some of the finest examples of Canadian IPA.

Red Racer is of course a classic, and I think Lighthouse's new-ish IPA Switchback is on track to enter the pantheon of great IPAs. Phillips' Hoperation Tripel Cross and Townsite Shiny Penny are good for the folks who like the 'Belgian' IPAs. I think Old Yale's Sergeant's IPA is a real sleeper, too.

Honorable mentions east of BC: Half-Pints Little Scrapper, Flying Monkeys Smashbomb Atomic IPA, Muskoka Mad Tom, Paddock Wood 606.

 

On draught (bottles are good but not comprable), this is one of the best:

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/28820/85384

 

I'm partial to Garrison's IPA but I think it's considered an Imperial so maybe that doesn't count.

 

None,

Leo's is a very good IPA but BC kicks our butts with their IPAs. That said, this one really surprised me. Very West-Coast and flavorful.

 

I like this QC brew:

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/15526/35137

I drank quite a few pints on my Montreal visits.

 

While we're on the subject of IPAs, anyone care to explain to me why this one is rated so low?

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/18858/72267

I found it to be every bit as good as Central City Imperial, Hop Therapy, etc. Is this year's batch just better than previous years or something?

 

I agree. It had it on tap recently and it was outstanding. As for your comments on Central City Imperial IPA: I didn't find it similar to Twenty Pounder at all, nor did I think it was very good in general. I wish I could comment n hop therapy - haven't had a chance to try that one.

 

It was good this year. The first year of it reminded me a little of paint thinner.

 

Good beer, but the malt bill was a little off in my opinion. A little too much Crystal I think, and it came out a bit too Barleywine-ish for my tastes. I've heard the same thing from a couple others who've tried it, but hey, it comes down to personal tastes. I think CC Imp. takes this easily, but that's just me. Still, good beer, and much more affordable than CC Imp.