Best D/IPA for hops only - not malt, not yeast

Pliny the Elder would fit that bill nicely if you can get your hands on it.

 

These may be hard to get for you, but Slice Beer Co in Lincoln, CA and North Park Beer Co in San Diego brew some of the cleanest West Coast IPAs IMO. They pride themselves in using lower profile/less intrusive/leaner malts and letting the hops shine. Great hop expression in their beers...I have been impressed.

 

Anything from LA cumbre and Comrade

 

Pliny is the beer you seek.

 

Not really in the category, but Tree House’s dry hopped trail series showcases the hops phenomenally. The trail malt and yeast characters fall way back with a nice dose of dry hopping

 

With a traditional American or West Coast DIPA, freshness will be most important for what you are trying to accomplish in your tasting. The long it ages the more the hops fade and the malt flavors rise. Pliny, Hop Ju Ju by Fatheads, maybe Sip of Sunshine (is this to hazy?). Stone 26 anniversary. I have several locally that are fairly close to Pliny clones.

 

I'll double down on Pliny but I'll also add Maine Beer Co Lunch or pretty much any of their IPA's fresh. Incredibly clean and low malt profile.

 

Not sure what the current status of it is but FW Double Jack. Same for NEBCO G-Bot, 3F Dreadnaught or Arctic Panzerwolf. Columbus Bodhi.

 

I'd toss Lagunitas IPA into that bucket. At least if it's super fresh. Luckily, their distro tends to be good and things are dated so you can check.

 

Does Fat Heads distribute in New York? If so I would recommend fresh Head Hunter IPA to you. Fat Heads also makes DIPA beers but I am less familiar with those brands.

Cheers!

 

Go to your local homebrew store and buy a bunch of different hops. Make hop teas out of them. This will help you learn individual hops very well.

 

Yup, we get em. Love me some fresh HH.

 

Does Half Acre make it to NY, or Pipeworks?
Bodem or Ninja Vs Unicorn would both be great examples for the class