Pliny. I’ll stop by my local Whole Foods and pick up 2-3 bottles every month. If Pig is stocked I’ll grab 2 Pigs and 1 Elder. I prefer Pig over Elder, but Elder would be my goat because it’s always available. Unlike back in the day.
I'm pretty sure this is only the case in California. I come down to see family from time to time, and bottles are pretty much everywhere. Pliny is easy to find, and in fact you have to be careful and check the date to make sure there aren't any freshness issues. In PDX and Washington Pliny still flies off the shelf. We get regular shipments and what I feel is a more than adequate supply, but it still moves very quickly. As you know, we're not exactly lacking when it comes to good IPA and DIPA options up this way. Even so, Pliny remains popular. Bottles sell out quickly and kegs never last long.
Three Floyds Dreadnaught for me, although their Permanent Funeral is up there, too, and my sister's favorite. I wish Lagunitas would bring back Hop Stoopid, which they used to sell in $4 bombers. Living 2 miles from Munster IN, I've never had the opportunity to try Pliny the Elder (or Younger) or Heady Topper.
Pliny is good and certainly well crafted but I had it on tap at the brewery and it wasn’t a stand out. For me, the best DIPA is Three Floyd’s Permanent Funeral. Looking at my beer ratings Tilted Barn’s The Chosen One is also a great DIPA.
Every beer I've had from Maine has ranged from really good to spectacular. Totally forgot about them. Had a Dreadnaught recently and also forgot how solid that beer is. For regular access, probably Surly Raging Furious or Wood aged Furious and Hopslam.
I initially thought 3 Floyd's Dreadnaught, but checking my BA ratings my highest rated DIPA is Double Fifth Street Hooligans by City Built Brewing. This has the potential advantage of being served on draft at the brewery.
King Sue circa 2016 or so. Still the best expression of Citra hops I’ve ever experienced. Three day old bomber from the old brewery in December 2016 is still to this day a top three hoppy beer experience for me. Something Heady or Pliny could never touch.
Pliny the Elder but... I wish I could've tried Very Green, particularly in its hey-day. I did try Green once back then (2017?) and it blew my mind - notably better than the other hazy IPA makers at the time - and perhaps since.
