Does anyone else have a go to Double IPA?

Yeah, the store I buy Carton from charges $13.99:

(receipt 'snip' above from a purchase late last year, which includes my NJCB discount).

"Joe's Canal's" is a franchise operation like many individual stores in liquor retail chains in New Jersey (some are buying co-ops, too). As a result, they are under different ownership and management even though they have the same 'dba' name on the sign. Beer selection and other aspects of the stores vary greatly. (And, to add to the confusion, there is a different chain named just "Canal's" - a result of family feud and split).

New Jersey law prohibits ownership of more than 2 retail off-premise licenses. (You can see the Joe Canal's stores' actual licensees' name on the NJ Excel file of licensed retailers).

Since Carton self-distributes, however, they do monitor both the conditions in which their beers are kept (including, I assume, freshness) which is supposed to be refrigerated and in customer-accessible coolers - not "by request only/in the back" and I thought they also try to maintain sensible pricing. I'd alert @augiecarton to any outliers or unusual situations.

(I have, and he corrected the situation - granted, not a real practical solution for someone in your position of a day shopping trip across Delaware).

I don't know - $14 for 64 oz. of fresh, limited local beer doesn't seem that out of line to me - especially because it means, for me anyway, I can buy it locally any time or day it's available rather than have to make a 60 mile round trip to the brewery during the hours and days it is opened.

IIRC, last time I checked (years ago) I was able to buy Carton by the case at some retailers cheaper than then brewery-prices. That might no longer be the case.

 

Jack,

I dropped by JC Lawrenceville this morning and they had 4-packs in the cooler for $12.49.

 

Roads 2 Ruin

 

Pliny would be my go to DIPA too, but the problem is that I have to 'go to' California to get it (and I'm not a trader).

 

If you ever make it to the Philly area we get PtE on draft.

According to Seek a Brew there is also limited distribution to Colorado and Oregon as well (draft only?).

Cheers!

 

Although they infrequently release the same double IPA twice (or many months apart), I have found that most Veil and Triple Crossing double IPAs are the ones I would get as often as possible.

 

In the past I've purchased bottles in CO and OR, but you have to be in the right place at the right time, and I think OR distro is virtually nothing now, at least for bottles. I have a daughter who lives in the SF Bay area, so I try to visit her once a year and get up to the brewery during my visit.

In the meantime, I'm satisfied with whatever the next DIPA is that gets released from Short's. They perform magic with hop combinations in their's.

 

I too love DIPA's, but I don't stick to one as a go-to. I enjoy the rotating releases, so it usually goes HopSlam, Chillwave, The Waldo's, Nimble Giant, with the occasional release of Funk Double Citrus. I'm probably not remembering all of them, but these get me through a good part of the year.

 

It's not the only DIIPA in the rotation, but nobody has mentioned it so I will, Port Mongo IPA.

 

If only I could have access to a Pliny, Alchemist, or Tree house to be my go-to .. Some of yall live in beer heaven. My go-to would have to be Yellow Rose .. Always delicious.

 

I know I’m being a Maryland homer but I really like Union Double Duckpin and Evolution Lot 6.

 

How is a once-per-year release DIPA a go-to?

 

Drake’s Denoginniner

 

I buy so much new beer all the time that I don't many go-to beers, but since I usually buy at least one pack of Stone Enjoy By every time it gets released, I'll go with that.

However, I also had some fresh Ruination a few nights ago, and it tasted so good I might buy that one more often. Also, Hop Bullet is impressive and well-priced.

 

Personally I will take a fresh Yellow Rose over the other three you mention, soooo good.

 

Sixpoint Resin. A 9.1% crusher.

 

I think the DIPA actually showcases the style better than the IPA in all it's geographical forms. Pliny the elder being the first that made me say; "This is it". this it the style as it is defined. Who defines these things? you do. Here you do that. Cheers!

 

That's a great choice. I've been meaning to buy that again. I haven't had it in a few months and it's always excellent.

 

Really not a fan of Double/Imperial IPAs in general. I tend to want more than one beer in a sitting, and DIPAS are generally too sweet and high ABV to do that on a regular basis. On the other hand, I find them too easy drinking and low ABV to be a true "sipping" beer. So I prefer single IPAs everyday, and Triple IPAs occasionally.

Generally, I only buy doubles for FOMO. I've decided I'm done with that now, so I'll be passing on most that I see. I do like Pliny, because it's dry and light colored, and Torpedo is toeing the line for me, but I do prefer it over SNPA. I also LOVED the DIPA in SN's Fresh Hop pack, but it was a one-off or hopefully seasonal release.

 

I do not have a large list to base this on, but Sierra Nevada's Hop Bullet is terrific IMO. Had it on tap on Saturday night and bought a 6 pack of bottles at Giant Market in PA ($10.49). Can't beat that with a stick.