West Coast IPA or Double IPA

Green Flash. I've always felt that they had pretty quintessential "west coast" flavor.

 

Depending on where you are in VA, you should be able to get Evolution's IPAs. Lot No3 (IPA) and Lot No6 (DIPA) are both excellent and readily available in their distribution area. They both have big grapefruit notes.

 

If you like grapefruit than the IPA for you is a fresh Bell’s Two Hearted Ale.

Cheers!

 

I'm not familiar w/ VA distribution, but you should try to find:
Stone IPA
AleSmith IPA
Lagunitas Sucks
FW Double Jack
Ithaca Flower Power

If you really want some crazy grapefruit, get your hands on Hair of the Dog Blue Dot, Surly Abrasive, or Alpine Nelson.

 

Green Flash for sure. All their IPAs are excellent, and moving to your state!

 

Double Jack!

 

Bell's Two-Hearted for sure
Heavy Seas Loose Cannon
Victory Hop Wallop
Founders Centennial IPA

...and since it's in your backyard Star Hill's Northern Lights IPA is worth a try.

 

I get big time grapefruit notes from Heady. I don't know how easy it would be for you to come by it in VA, but get it if you can.

 

Listen to the Aquabat!

 

Are you always happy with Founders Centennial IPA?

I have had this beer about 10 times (combination of bottles and draft at bars). Only once did I find it to me enjoyable: on draft at the Flat Rock Saloon in Manayunk. I know that I really like Centennial hops: I homebrew an all Centennial hopped IPA twice a year and I really like Two Hearted Ale. I can’t figure out what my ‘problem’ with Founders Centennial IPA is.

Cheers!

 

I agree that Two-Hearted is much better and more citrusy, but I don't dislike Founder's Centennial. I do think it's a little more on the piney side though. Since you're a homebrewer I'm sure you know this already, but the same hop type could have considerably different flavors/aromas depending on when it's added to the boil and/or dry-hopping...maybe that's the difference?

 

lol i thought i was the only one that didn't like this. it's horrible! i've tried it a 100x draft and super fresh bottles and no. i don't like it one bit. i'm a big founders fan especially their stouts but i don't like their ipas. only one ill pick up is double trouble and i'm already sick of it. sorry for not being sorry

 

I really don’t know the explanation. Below are snippets from a previous thread discussion:

“For example, Centennial IPA by Founders is fantastic fresh, but the hop profile drops off relatively quickly (noticeably at 3-4 weeks) and after about 6-8 weeks it becomes somewhat of a malty mess.”
Maybe that explains why I have never had a Centennial IPA that I liked?
I wonder why Bell’s Two Hearted Ale last so much better? A 6 week old Two Hearted Ale is still very, very tasty.



Definitely possible. I live in SE Michigan, so many of the stores have fresh Centennial, but I've certainly had my fair share of old ones, and the hops are almost non-existent. I've heard Two Hearted lasts so much longer due to the way its hopped and the amount/type of hops used, but I don't know much about brewing finesse, so I couldn't tell you for sure.



“type of hops used” Here is the irony, Two Hearted is solely hopped with Centennial hops. My understanding is that Founders Centennial IPA is also hoped with Centennial Hops (solely or mostly?).
I homebrew an all Centennial Hopped IPA. I have a batch I am drinking right now which was bottled on 10/8/12 so it is just under 8 weeks old. The hop aroma is starting the fade but it is still very tasty (still a fair amount of hop flavor). It is by no means a “malty mess”.
Founders is overall a quality craft brewery. Why can’t they brew an IPA comparable to Bell’s!?! I just don’t get it!
I apologize for ‘venting’.



Haha, well that's interesting. Could it perhaps have to do with the amount of hops used, or the technique by which they are used during the process? As I mentioned, I don't know too much about brewing tactics, so I am just theorizing here.

I agree, Founders should be able to make a longer lasting IPA. Overall I like Founders over Bells, but I'd still take Two Hearted over Centennial.

 

Bell's Two-Hearted is as good a west coast-style IPA as you'll find anywhere.

Also, being from VA you may have access to Port City's Monumental IPA. It's very good as well and has the bonus of being local, if you're in the Delmarva.

 

You tried a beer 100 times that you think is horrible. That's very strange!

 

“ …super fresh bottles”

Well there goes that theory; I thought it might be a freshness issue.

Oh well, I am now officially out of ideas on why I don’t like Founders Centennial IPA.

Cheers!

 

Not sure I would call Two Hearted "grapefruity". Fruity and floral, but grapefruit to me is a bit different taste.

 

I know it's been said but Green Flash. West Coast, Imperial, and Palate Wrecker...