OTHER good New England IPA's/DIPA's

Discussion in 'New England' started by pwilliams211, Jul 15, 2014.

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  1. pwilliams211

    pwilliams211 Initiate (0) May 21, 2014 Massachusetts

    It seems that everyone who is planning a trip to NE bases everything about driving into the boonies at a chance to score some heady/HF/Lawson's. Me being relatively new to the craft beer game(really into it for about a year) I can't say that it is not worth the hype and effort(I have only had one 4 pack of heady topper in my life, and it was 2.5 years ago before I could really appreciate it), but in my opinion, there are some other really great local IPA/DIPA offerings that may not require the $ or time that these highly regarded beers do. I think a lot of what the area has to offer is overshadowed by "the big three". I just wanted to throw out some other really good local options:
    -Wachusett Larry IIPA: $10.99 a sixes of cans and very drinkable at 8.5%
    -Newburyport port green head IPA: bargain at $9.99 for a six pack of cans, and canned on date sticker directly on four pack
    -Long Trail limbo: pretty well discussed and fairly large distribution, but can be found very fresh in the area and again a steal at $10.99 a sixer
    -Jacks Abby hoponies union and mass rising: $11.99 for a six/four back and just so damn crisp and easy drinking
    -Shed IPA: only had once but damn tasty and seen pretty regularly in MA


    Again, I'm not saying these beers are as good as Heady/HF/Lawson's(never have had before except heady so I can't compare), but just some other very fine offerings, especially factoring in availability, and often lack of effort to acquire them. What are some other good offerings for the style that are local and aren't such a hassle?
     
    #1 pwilliams211, Jul 15, 2014
    Last edited: Jul 15, 2014
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  2. PenningtonNY10

    PenningtonNY10 Zealot (687) Nov 20, 2009 Connecticut

    NEBCO Sea Hag six packs are a thing of glory!
     
    #2 PenningtonNY10, Jul 15, 2014
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  3. T-RO

    T-RO Pundit (886) Nov 9, 2012 New Hampshire
    Society Trader

    Ipswich Route 101 IPA is excellent. I also keep a fresh 12 pack of Smuttynose Finestkind for $10.99 stocked.
     
    #3 T-RO, Jul 15, 2014
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  4. TheGator321

    TheGator321 Initiate (0) May 29, 2013 Connecticut

    none of those stack up to heady.

    take a ride to nebco in new haven. you won't be disappointed and very few hipsters.
     
    #4 TheGator321, Jul 15, 2014
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  5. TheGator321

    TheGator321 Initiate (0) May 29, 2013 Connecticut

    I'll have to disagree with you on the route 101.
     
    #5 TheGator321, Jul 15, 2014
  6. T-RO

    T-RO Pundit (886) Nov 9, 2012 New Hampshire
    Society Trader

    Cool
     
    #6 T-RO, Jul 15, 2014
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  7. pwilliams211

    pwilliams211 Initiate (0) May 21, 2014 Massachusetts

    The idea wasn't to list beers that stack up with heady...from it's revered status I'm sure there are not many. Just wanted to give and receive some suggestions of other GOOD yet more accessible local IPA/DIPA for myself and for others who are coming to the NE area that may not want to spend an entire day hunting for a specific beer
     
    #7 pwilliams211, Jul 15, 2014
  8. ajfa531

    ajfa531 Zealot (686) Jun 2, 2007 New Jersey
    Trader

    Stuck on 95 just north of Norwalk. Wondering if we should "take a break" (read: "go beer hunt") for a little bit. I believe NEBCo is closed today. Any suggestions on where to find any Sea Hag or if Fuzzy makes it to any bars (out for growler fills anywhere)?

    Heading to Narragansett, RI for the rest of the week. I didn't know if I'd find good beer in RI. So, I brought three growlers from Tired Hands and one from Kane.

    - Joe
     
    #8 ajfa531, Jul 15, 2014
  9. jbertsch

    jbertsch Pooh-Bah (2,874) Dec 14, 2008 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    For a slight spin on this, I'll talk under-the-radar stuff…the most hidden, unlikely fantastic IPA I’ve had in recent times is at the Beer Works in Framingham. Their Nobscot IPA caught me off guard and I think it’s only available at the Framingham location (the name Nobscot is an area of town). Couldn’t be happier that I just bought a house right down the street as I’ve killed a couple growlers of it already. It’s almost always on tap. I strongly suggest the next time you all head to Framingham for Jack’s Abby, you pop over to the Beer Works in town for lunch and try the Nobscot. When I first had it, both my wife and I said “Beer Works made this???”

    Also under the radar hop goodness…Shepherd’s Crook from Earth Eagle. Though again, gotta visit them to get it. I just don’t hear much/any commotion for it on these boards. Terrific juicy hoppy pale ale that drinks like an awesome ipa.
     
    #9 jbertsch, Jul 15, 2014
    Last edited: Jul 15, 2014
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  10. HuskyHawk

    HuskyHawk Initiate (0) Jun 5, 2014 Massachusetts

    Really like Limbo, Larry and Jack's Abby Hoponious Union and Mass Rising (neither is an IPA technically). Do not like Finestkind, or Newburyport's IPA (both harsh) but that's just me. You need to add all the Maine Brewing IPAs, Lunch, Another One, Tiny Beautiful Something, those are superb. Be Hoppy, Be Hoppier and Hopulence are all excellent from Wormtown. Agree that the Shed IPA is pretty solid as a daily drinker (frankly, so is Harpoon, which we also always have fresh). You might like Foolproof's Backyahd IPA as well as a good ordinary IPA.

    No, none compare to Heady Topper exactly (but some aren't that far off). Maybe some NEBCO beers do, but for those of us in MA, getting those beers is no easier than getting HT. Might as well call out Treehouse Julius or something. I think the OP is looking for good beers, readily available.
     
    #10 HuskyHawk, Jul 15, 2014
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  11. pwilliams211

    pwilliams211 Initiate (0) May 21, 2014 Massachusetts

    I have heard foolproof backyard IPA is great, I love a good canned IPA. I don't live far from the brewery so I'll have to head there at some point. You nailed it with what I was looking for. There are so many good available hoppy beers around that we can get without a 300+ mile round trip and a lot of luck. If the end all be all for some is to get their hands on heady/HF/Lawson's/ghandi, then that's great, not trying to discourage anyone from doing it(hell at some point in my life I do hope to make a Vermont beer run). Until then, I'm just looking for some local hoppy goodness that's easily attainable.

    If in the boston area or at a craft beer cellar, add trillium fort point pale ale, one of the best hoppy locals I have tried!
     
    #11 pwilliams211, Jul 15, 2014
  12. Patbrown2

    Patbrown2 Zealot (627) Nov 27, 2013 Connecticut

    Joe - get off 95 at Exit 22 (Round Hill rd). Mo's Wine & Spirits is @ 0.5mi from the exit...and carries 3 Nebco brands (Sea Hag, Elm St Pilsner and 668)
     
    #12 Patbrown2, Jul 15, 2014
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  13. Pwbres

    Pwbres Initiate (0) Mar 25, 2013 Maine

    I know it's been mentioned before in a separate thread but Finest Kind has really improved since the move to the new location. I was really impressed with the last 6-pack I bought. I too will be keeping it stocked throughout the summer.
     
    #13 Pwbres, Jul 15, 2014
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  14. ajfa531

    ajfa531 Zealot (686) Jun 2, 2007 New Jersey
    Trader

    Thanks, Pat. We've moved quite a distance since then. Up at exit 58 right now. Currently researching what costal Rhode Island has to offer if you (or the rest of New Eng) have any suggestions. Proclamation Ales sounds interesting, but the AT&T open until Friday. I'm trying to find tap lists for local joints.

    - Joe
     
    #14 ajfa531, Jul 15, 2014
  15. PicoPapa

    PicoPapa Pooh-Bah (2,049) Mar 6, 2009 Connecticut
    Pooh-Bah

    I'm looking forward to Back East Palate Mallet being available in cans.
     
    #15 PicoPapa, Jul 15, 2014
  16. SenatorSpaceman

    SenatorSpaceman Savant (1,015) May 24, 2014 Connecticut

    Yep, NEBCO is closed on Tuesdays. Sea Hag should be available at any decent store in CT. There really isn't any Fuzzy around. If you happen to run into any on tap (as it's been popping up from time to time), keep in mind that it hasn't been brewed in several months.
     
    #16 SenatorSpaceman, Jul 15, 2014
  17. MVP09

    MVP09 Initiate (0) Oct 19, 2012 Massachusetts

    Bissell Bros The Substance is world Class! Maine Island Trail Ale is an excellent hoppy session. Rising Tide combined Citra and Simcoe perfectly.
     
    #17 MVP09, Jul 16, 2014
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  18. 2ellas

    2ellas Maven (1,302) Feb 20, 2014 New Hampshire
    Trader

    Trillium is awesome. Definitely worth the drive into Boston. They're double dry hopped fort point ale is my favorite beer at the moment, considerably better than heady in my opinion. Wormtown makes a few great IPAs/DIPAs. Slumbrew, Stoneface... there really are quite a few good ones out there. I honestly don't think the "vermont experience" is worth the time and aggravation.
     
    #18 2ellas, Jul 16, 2014
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  19. nolanz14

    nolanz14 Pundit (827) Aug 31, 2009 Massachusetts
    Trader

    I would say that The Substance, Be Hoppy, Limbo, MBC Lunch and Another One, Trillium and Tree House hoppy beers are all excellent.
     
    #19 nolanz14, Jul 16, 2014
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  20. markdrinksbeer

    markdrinksbeer Initiate (0) Nov 14, 2013 Massachusetts

    I'd even throw BBC Lost Sailor IPA in the mix. For $7.49/6-pack, its a great beer at a great price.
     
    #20 markdrinksbeer, Jul 16, 2014
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