Belgian IPAs

Bitter Monk by Anchorage is my new favorite belgian ipa. Le Freak was probably my favorite before.

 

Had a Brewery Vivant "Plow Horse" last Thursday and wow...don't have too much experience in the Belgian IPA sector but wow...

 

Poperings Hommel has to be my favorite Belgian Ipa. I'm still trying to decide whether I like it better on draft or bottled.

 

Lagunitas A Little Sumpin' Wild is def my fave, followed by Flying Dog Raging Bitch and Columbus Big Frank.. I might be the minority but I really liked Great Divide Belgica and was sad to hear they stopped brewing it.

 

Best of all time for me: Lagunitas Sumpin Wild, fresh is mind melting amazing.

Actual Belgian ones: Achouffe Houblon Dobbelon, De Ranke XX, Poperings Hommel, Gouden Carolus Hopsinjoor

I also had a Le Freak last weekend, it tastes very similar to Sumpin Wild for me; but doesn't quite match it. But I loved it for sure.

 

I like this style quite a bit, so it's hard to name just one. I agree with those who've already mentioned Houblon Chouffe, Bitter Monk, Le Freak, Little Sumpin' Wild and Raging Bitch... ...all great ones.

And for some others I've really enjoyed that people may not have considered:

New Belgium Belgo (R.I.P.)
Anchorage Galaxy (the other Belgian IPA from Anchorage)
Brewery Vivant Triomphe (might be the only canned BIPA--at least the only one I'm aware of)
Nebraska Hop God Reserve Series

But maybe my favorite of all time technically isn't brewed anymore--Boulevard Collaboration No. 2--even though Boulevard recently re-released the recipe (more or less) as Reboot White IPA. Interestingly enough, Collaboration No. 2 was categorized as a Belgian IPA, while Reboot is categorized as an American IPA.

 

Stone Cali-Belgique

 

I'd read a ton of hype about Bitter Monk, but can't say I was blown away. Still, very good beer, though.

 

My favorites are probably Stone Cali-Belgique and Clown Shoes Tramp Stamp. While I once liked Belgian IPAs more than Belgian Pale Ales, I actually think that's switched now. Can't go wrong with either. Have just had a lot of quality BPAs lately.

 

I think Houblon Chouffe Dobbelen IPA Triple owns them all...

 

They stopped making Belgo!? I would pick up a pack on occasions, it was good, cheap and available everywhere.

 

That's so funny.

 

Shark pants by de Struise/3F and troubadour magma.

 

Reboot was brewed using the same recipe as Collaboration No. 2.

 

Haven't had many but loved Funkwerks small batch belgian IPA they released last year.

 

I've only had Flying Dog Raging Bitch, which was good enough to prompt me to buy Stone Cali-Belgique and A Little Sumpin' Wild a few days later. If they end up being better I'll be a happy man.

 

You think so? I can't say I've had too many of the style, but that beer didn't impress me too much. I think it may have been a little old, however. I would like to try one fresh, as the one I had was fairly... Bland? It wasn't terrible but just didn't blow me away. It hid the alcohol marvelously though, and went down really easily.

 

Brewery Vivant. That is all. Triomphe or Trebuchet. Holy shit those are Godly.

 

Good to know. For some reason I thought I had heard that it was the same base recipe, but slightly different than the original Collaboration No. 2 release. Thanks!