New to IIPA's

Since you're in NY, try some Sixpoint Resin. Great all-around IIPA, in my opinion.

 

I was in / still in the entry point to DIPAs....funny thing is I never liked hoppy beers, tried a heady topper and was like "ok I need to try more of this style. From the ones I have tried (I have trillium so I feel spoiled) that are pretty available I have really liked:

Stone enjoy by dates
Stone Ruination
Clown Shoes Space Cake
Boulevard The Calling

the best i've had are heady topper and trillium vicinity.

 

Citra Ass Down , good one. Two hearted is a classic too. Deviant Dales by oskar Blues is a good choice too!

 

If somehow you get really lucky and come across some Pliny the Elder...give it a go...

 

Hop Stoopid gets my vote. But frankly regular ipa is the "entry level" for IIPA.

 

If you already drink and enjoy "regular" IPAs it won't be a tough transition. There isn't really a clear line that separates many of them in my opinion. I have really grown to like Founders Double Trouble lately. It's intensely hoppy, but light bodied and dangerously drinkable. That might be a good one to check out.

 

I love DIPAs - just finished a Double Trouble now...

...shoot for fresh and high quality... I'm on LI, so we should share a lot of product distro...

Double Trouble is around now and an awesome choice. Illumination from Central Waters and Ruination 2.0 from Stone are probably still around - awesome DIPAs. If you're really blessed (NY just started getting Pipeworks Brewing), you might spot a Ninja Vs. Unicorn DIPA

 

This thread has talked me into opening a Double Trouble right now too. It really is an excellent beer. They need to do something about that label though. Freaking weird.

 

Nah, I like weird

 

I agree with ya about the beer, but not the label

I tend to like Founders label designs, including this one.

 

If you are ever in Ohio, I'd suggest Columbus Bodhi. Excellent representation of the style.

 

Dirt Wolf
Pliny
Enjoy By
Ruination
Pure Hoppiness

Not so much entry level, but since you've been drinking the staple IPA's, your transition to these will be fine.

 

You cannot go wrong with these 3 DIPA's, although they are only winter releases.

Bell's Hopslam
Great Lakes Chillwave
Fat Head's Hop Juju

 

Solid IIPAS are a dime a dozen these days. Ruination 2.0 is IMHO a much better beer than the original and worth the price tag within bottle date.

Since you're from NY, fresh Flower Power still serves as a nice entry or non "entry" level IPA. Good luck on your journey.

 

Dogfish Head 90 Minute was my IIPA entry, but then again, it was my IPA entry too. Definitely gives you the malt presence that tends to be more pronounced in IIPA, so it is helpful for getting used to that aspect.

 

Dirtwolf and SN Torpedo

 

I would suggest the best entry level would be Lagunitas Sucks. It is outstanding.

Stone Enjoy By is a great beer - but maybe a bit dank for entry level. Ruination 2.0 may be slightly more accessible.

A good Canadian offering is Driftwood Fat Tug. It's 7.0% so it's on the edge of IIPA.

 

I know a lot of people have mentioned the Enjoy By's and Ruination by stone. I'd even go a step further since it is out right now and recommend Ruinten. It might be a bit hard to find but damn is it good. It also isn't as in your face hoppy as the others. The high abv and malt really balance out the hops and make it almost sweet.

Other then that with you being in New York I'd say Resin all day. It's rock solid and should be readily available.

 

Odells Myrcenary very drinkable/tropical