Best all-around DIPA - The Truth?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by brees6221, Sep 26, 2013.

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  1. brees6221

    brees6221 Initiate (0) Aug 4, 2009 Western Sahara

    Bear with me, I haven't completely thought this out so I'm thinking out loud here. Let's brainstorm this one together.

    When I say "all-around", I'm thinking fairly equal parts quality, availability, price, convenience, and _____?. I think we may have a winner in Flying Dog's The Truth.

    Quality - To me, this is an excellent DIPA. It's just slightly below some of the best DIPA's I've ever had.

    Availability - This is what makes The Truth particularly appealing to me. Flying Dog distributes to 38 states, including Hawaii and Alaska, according to www.seekabrew.com. Now, I don't know if they distribute The Truth to all those states (yet?) but it's certainly possible. Their website also says it will be available year-round.

    Price - $10-$12 for a six pack. There are a few stores around here that offer 10% off specials, and I just picked up a case of it for $30 (!!!) thanks to a semi-annual customer appreciation sale at a local store. So to me, it's a very good value. But at $11 on average, it's competitively priced with many single IPA 6 packs and it comes in at 8.7%.

    Convenience - I guess this is similar to availability, but the fact that I should be able to pick it up just about anytime of the year at most good beer stores is a huge plus for me. The only thing that would make it better is if it were in cans so I can take it to the pool next summer.


    So my question is, what other beers are up there with The Truth in these categories? I'm talking reasonably priced, widely distributed DIPA's in 12oz format. If Lagunitas Sucks continued to be offered in sixers and they truly make it available year-round, that's one. Others?

    Bonus - I love the name and the full disclosure on the label: This beer came to fruition because we saw a gap in our portfolio and we wanted to increase our market share.

    Aaaaaaaand discuss.
     
    #1 brees6221, Sep 26, 2013
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  2. jwjon1

    jwjon1 Savant (1,158) Jan 14, 2007 Pennsylvania
    Trader

    We all have our own truths. My truth on The Truth is that it is a mediocre DIPA. I prefer a more aromatic hop profile.
     
    #2 jwjon1, Sep 26, 2013
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  3. ThisWangsChung

    ThisWangsChung Pooh-Bah (2,988) Oct 15, 2011 Maryland
    Pooh-Bah

    Apart from Sucks, I personally can't think of a DIPA at its price point (~$10) that's better.
     
    #3 ThisWangsChung, Sep 26, 2013
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  4. brees6221

    brees6221 Initiate (0) Aug 4, 2009 Western Sahara

    I also prefer a more aromatic hop profile in my favorite DIPA's. But if I have to drive to VT, IN or somewhere else to smell that hop profile or can only buy it once per year, then it's not near the top of my list. And for me, aroma ranks way below taste and below price/value. If I have to sacrifice something for a year round affordable DIPA, it'll be the aroma.
     
    #4 brees6221, Sep 26, 2013
  5. Hanzo

    Hanzo Initiate (0) Feb 27, 2012 Virginia

    I'm going to have to go with Stone Ruination.
     
    #5 Hanzo, Sep 26, 2013
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  6. BlastBeats

    BlastBeats Initiate (0) Mar 24, 2011 Illinois

    put me down for Hoptimum
     
    #6 BlastBeats, Sep 26, 2013
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  7. Augustiner719

    Augustiner719 Initiate (0) Dec 11, 2008 Massachusetts

    I'd say torpedo (though not technically a dipa) at $8.99 a sixer. Otherwise I think ruination
     
    #7 Augustiner719, Sep 26, 2013
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  8. Roguer

    Roguer Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,811) Mar 25, 2013 Connecticut
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I second Hoptimum. Also, Torpedo (as an Extra IPA). Ruination is super bitter, and not particularly balanced, but if that's your thing, then it definitely meets the wickets (price, availability, and quality).
     
    #8 Roguer, Sep 26, 2013
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  9. ivorycannon

    ivorycannon Initiate (0) Feb 21, 2013 Indiana

    convenience for me=Dreadnaught
     
    #9 ivorycannon, Sep 26, 2013
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  10. buddha5050

    buddha5050 Initiate (0) Sep 27, 2012 Michigan

    I thought Bell's The Oracle was a damn tasty DIPA!
     
    #10 buddha5050, Sep 26, 2013
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  11. Doogflaggat

    Doogflaggat Initiate (0) Aug 29, 2013 Pennsylvania

    Ruination is awesome. Earlier this summer, I split a case of Great Lakes' Lake Erie Monster with a co-worker. If you like tropical citrus notes in the nose and taste, this is an awesome brew to check out. Also, Perpetual IPA from Troegs (Imperial Pale Ale) is wonderful.
     
    #11 Doogflaggat, Sep 26, 2013
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  12. nickapalooza86

    nickapalooza86 Initiate (0) Feb 23, 2010 Wisconsin

    Sweet a thread about Hop Wallop and Maximus.... O wait nm.
     
    #12 nickapalooza86, Sep 26, 2013
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  13. ivorycannon

    ivorycannon Initiate (0) Feb 21, 2013 Indiana

    If you think that erie Monster is good, then you need to try Great Lakes Alchemy hour. If leaves erie monster in the dust.
     
    #13 ivorycannon, Sep 26, 2013
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  14. Jspriest

    Jspriest Pundit (940) Feb 9, 2011 Pennsylvania


    Distro for The Truth is currently only local markets: VA, DC, MD. (Maybe also DE and PA? I don't remember.)
     
    #14 Jspriest, Sep 26, 2013
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  15. Doogflaggat

    Doogflaggat Initiate (0) Aug 29, 2013 Pennsylvania

    ivory, I tried it this year at a bottle share event and although I can't say I recall it standing out to me as being excellent, I'm sure it's solid. Granted, I had half of a case compared to a small pour at the tasting.
     
    #15 Doogflaggat, Sep 26, 2013
  16. Doogflaggat

    Doogflaggat Initiate (0) Aug 29, 2013 Pennsylvania

    P.S., definitely a little jealous that you're out in Indiana. I would love to grab some Zombie Dust among other FFF stuff in the future.
     
    #16 Doogflaggat, Sep 26, 2013
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  17. ChrisMyhre

    ChrisMyhre Initiate (0) Sep 15, 2013 Massachusetts

    Based on your criteria, for me its probably Harpoon Leviathan DIPA. Not as tasty as some slightly outside my local area though.
     
    #17 ChrisMyhre, Sep 26, 2013
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  18. smartassboiler

    smartassboiler Pooh-Bah (2,518) Apr 9, 2012 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    At ~$4.50 per bomber, I believe Hop Stoopid enters the discussion. No, it's not in the 12 ounce format, but the price point is way below most DIPA bombers.

    Quality - Outstanding DIPA.

    Availability - Lagunitas has one of the biggest distribution networks in craft brewing.

    Price - $4.50 / bomber puts it at roughly $13.50 per sixer's worth of beer. A touch more expensive, but right about there.

    Convenience - You'll probably find this at almost any good liquor store these days.

    So yeah, that's my vote. Let's get Stoopid.
     
    #18 smartassboiler, Sep 26, 2013
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  19. shredder83

    shredder83 Initiate (0) Feb 21, 2013 Illinois

    No truth in Chicago, so I'll vote sucks in Sixers. Sorry but if we're going by wide availability, price, and quality sucks is my winner right now.
     
    #19 shredder83, Sep 26, 2013
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  20. Ivegotmule

    Ivegotmule Initiate (0) Nov 7, 2012 North Carolina

    Mad River Steelhead DIPA is my vote for 9.99 6pack. 4 pack around that price always available to me; Ruination or Palate Wrecker.
     
    #20 Ivegotmule, Sep 26, 2013
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