IPA for a beginner

Well the #1 IPA in the country (arguably) should impress them and make them happy -- Bell's Two Hearted.

 

Not sure if it’s around you (it’s in almost every store here), but if you can find Sip of Sunshine they’ll be happy

 

Can always get fresh Troegs Perpetual in PA.

 

Bring em the Dirt Wolf!

 

Ask what's popular at your local beer store, then buy whatever is freshest.

 

In Texas, it would be Yellow Rose, as fresh as possible. If you happen to find yourself in the Houston area...

 

I'm confused. Are you asking for recommendations for an IPA you can bring to a family function to share with your "beer snob" family? Or are you going to a family function with "beer snobs" and assume they'll have nothing but IPAs and want us to recommend which of the many IPAs they might have are best for you?

If the former, ask your family members what they like to drink and bring that. If the latter, ask your family members which of the IPAs they have on hand are best for a person who doesn't like IPAs.

And, if what you're actually asking is what might be a good IPA for someone just getting into IPAs (as the thread title suggests) then I would go with what @PapaGoose03 suggested above (Bell's Two-Hearted), Sierra Nevada Torpedo, or Dogfish Head 60 Minute.

Best of luck.

 

A good, solid IPA that seems to be widely available is Lagunitas IPA: it should appeal to the novices (I hope) and assuage the snobs (maybe).

 

Hard to argue with bells two hearted. Another option is go with a nationally distributed “hazy” ipa like Hazy Little thing by Sierra Nevada.

 

I think I would, too. Can't go wrong with this one.

 

Bring them a Samuel Smith and explain that India Pale Ale is a strong British ale that held up to the long shipping to India with increased hops for preservation and malt to balance it.
IPA is an American term that means essentially nothing at this point l.

 

All of the above suggestions are great! Sierra Nevada Pale Ale or Torpedo, Two Hearted Ale, Troegs Perpetual IPA, etc.!

I'll mention another. Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA! I love it. Crisp and light enough to appeal to non-IPA drinkers, but still packs a hoppy bite.

 

Great suggestions, especially with "fresh" Perpetual, Two Hearted, or Torpedo. Depends on the level of beer "snobbery" your family is at and when it comes to IPA "fresh" it's all subjective. I've struggled with this same situation on the maltier side of beers with my wife's family and gave up because their attitude was always "surprise me" and I would always overthink and overspend, then get stuck with alot of beers I'd never drink = alcohol abuse (because they went to waste). With IPA's, canned / bottled on snobbery can range from "before placed in the container" all the way to canned / bottled on ___ weeks after ... and they will call themselves IPA snobs. I'd just ask them which IPA's do you prefer and then pay attention to the canned on/bottled on dates when you buy them. (For me, 6 weeks or less.) - It's all subjective. Maybe ask them if they would be interested in bringing a few favorite IPA bottles and do a bottle share?

I get the question but learned to not make myself crazy, it's all about family and the time together which is most important. (Respectfully submitted,I didn't give any new IPA suggestions, I know.)

 

Session IPAs can be a real party pleaser as they're not too specific. Keeps people wet. Cheers!

 

Brooklyn East IPA

 

But Samuel Smith's India Ale is only 5% ABV at a mere 46 IBUs. (It also appears to be a brand created in the 1990s...)

 

Yes, I don’t expect them to have original British navy beer from hundreds of years ago. This is the style however