Best IPA from Canada?

Had some fresh Robohop yesterday...fantastic! I can't wait for Octopus wants to fight to hit the LCBO

 

Agreed, however, in doing a thorough side by side, I still prefer Fat Tug

 

I just tried Robohop as well... indeed fantastic. IMHO, it's better than a few of the ones currently on Canada's Top 100.

I wasn't thrilled with Lake Effect, perhaps a bit heavy on the booze and a bit light on the flavour (considering their others).

 

Why is Robohop so expensive? :s

 

Of their tank 10 IPAs, I would say Lake is my least favorite

Lake<MyBitterWife<Thrust<Karma Citra Can't wait to try Octopus tho.

 

I wouldn't mind $5 for the can (brewery only) but 9 bucks for a 650ml bottle @lcbo seems excessive by comparison.
bought one bottle, won't buy more

 

Living in BC, I've grown to despise the bomber...

1) They're often about 1/2 the price of a 6 pack, but only 1/3 the beer.
2) How many people have a glass that'll take a whole bomber? If it's unfiltered (as beer should be), you're getting yeast in the second glass.
3) it's a large serving size for strong beers... Often too large.
4) I like to change it up a bit more, which ironically, is why I often buy bombers.

It's great to see tall cans at a lower price... I often dump the last 150ml of yeasty beer anyway! If you put them side by side on a shelf, who would buy the bomber at that price per volume? I really hope the market goes in this direction... The sooner the businesses and consumers see this, the better. It'll be a lower profit margin for the brewery, but once it's common, people just aren't going to pony up for the bomber.

I prefer Fat Tug, but definitely by more Red Racer in cans... Good for camping etc too...

If Yellow Dog continues like the last batch, I'll be buying a lot more of their cans too!

 

Nicklebrook Immodest is tasting awfully good and LCBO available at the moment.

 

and fresh (17/03/16) as opposed to the normal cellaring period imposed by LCBO (Red Racer IIPA bottled over two months ago just made it on to shelves. they probably had it shipped via India to make it an authentic "I"pa)

 

The tall cans of Red Racer at Central City's own liquor store yesterday were from early February, so....

 

I don't know what CC is doing... They clearly don't care about consumer experience, but rather move volume. Saw Red Racer from 2015 at the LCBO the other day. My guess is they're hoping to move units and will eventually look for a buyout from one of the big boys. Sad.

 

They had a palette full of Red Racer at the SAQ last summer and I was really excited to buy some until I saw that it was about 4 months old.

 

Bought two bottles of Robohop a few weeks ago, quite delicious.

 

Yeah, SAQ and IPA definitely aren't six letters that go together well.

 

Trying Immodest in a few minutes. So far Auval Super A is the double IPA to beat although Robohop wasn't far behind!

 

WHOA! Ok, that's good, that's Vermont good! I think this takes the cake!

Not really digging the price, wouldn't mind an extra dollar or so, 4/4.25 ish... What's the availability for this? Once a year?

 

Generally once a year sometime between January and April. First time it's been in the LCBO though, which is pretty awesome.

 

They should make this available more often...

 

There was a batch that made it out to the trade with 2015 dates in early 2016 where the packaging guys hadn't changed the year date. The brewery confirmed on Twitter for the Manitoba shipment.

 

Just at the LCBO in Guelph and picked up some Nicklebrook Immodest. Looked at the date code on the can while waiting to pay. April 8 07:57. Now that's fresh! Unbelievable.

 

I still have a lot to try but here is a rough top 5:

1) Driftwood - Fat Tug
2) Collective Arts - Ransack The Universe
3) Great Lakes - Octopus Wants To Fight
4) Sawdust City - Lone Pine
5) Central City - Red Racer

Robohop would be on there but I'd wait and do a list of Double IPAs to include that, and honourable mention to Muskoka - Mad Tom

 

Lots of locals in BC better than both Red Racer and Driftwood, but not something you'd see in Ontario. If you are ever out this way you can enjoy them!

 

Super Stellar from Central City is pretty much a better version of Red Racer, and the cheap tall-boy format made me pretty happy when I grabbed some in AB a while back.

 

Yeah this is a really nice one, I'd take it over the regular CC IPA simply for variety.

 

Ya for sure, a west coast beercation is definitely on my bucket list!

 

Yeah it was really good - but the good old red racer IPA is hard to beat.

 

Auval Super A is even better than Arcane 17, and beats everything else in Canada.

 

My top three right now:

1. Ransack the Universe (Collective Arts)
2. Super Stellar IPA (Central City--blows their standard IPA away)
3. Fat Tug IPA (Driftwood--it's a great beer; I just find it's so over-the-top "big"--I actually much prefer New Growth Pale Ale).

 

yeah, great beer but over-the-top big bottle.
I'm not a fan of 650ml bottles (or 473ml cans for that matter)!

 

Exile on north street by unfiltered... enjoyed it less than a week old from the snarl. aromatic hop bomb of yummy awesomeness that sinks tugs, beats up octopi and leaves red racers in the dust. I could go on...

 

all of the above, best new one for me recently was Dunham Tropicale, a freaking grapefruit citrus zest bomb. amazing!

iipa... 2 night stand from innocente deserves a mention; compares well to robohop.

 

Do you guys drink 'Ransack' from Collective Arts straight from the can, or pour it into an appropriate glass?

Out of the can the flavours have seemed a bit muted on a couple of occasions, and had a weird astringency and metallic aftertaste. Is my palate just weird?

Regardless, it's nice having such a delicious IPA readily available in a can. I've spotted it in small LCBOs, throughout the province.

 

Looking at my untappd history...

1) Karma Citra by GLB
2) Eminence by Barn Cat Ales (tied with Karma Citra)
3) Moralite by DDC
4) Fat Tug by Driftwood
5) Thrust! with Vermont yeast and probably a million others around the 4 range. (Yakima included)

I've also had Auval both Arcane and Super A. Both were extremely well done incredibly balanced, but nothing stood out and felt kinda boring. I probably wouldn't seek it out again, but glad I got to try it.

 

Karma Citra fresh, on tap is divine. I didn't get a chance to try Barn Cat's 'Eminence.' I had Electric Dream Machine which was a bit muddled. Their Citra and Amarillo PA was good.

 

Gentlemen....and ladies?

I have recently spent a lovely afternoon at a brand new brewery that has opened in Edmonton - Situation Brewing (just off of Whyte Ave)

Their Page Turner IPA is outstanding. Truly. After some more research and testing I will report back as to whether it ought to be added to the list of Canadian best IPAs. However, initial impressions are very positive.

 

I don't trust that my ratings are consistent over time, but here goes according to my ratings. My memory largely confirms the general list. Throwing IPAs and IIPAs together here:

1) Le Castor Yakima IPA
2) Driftwood Sartori Harvest
3) Great Lakes Thrust!
4) Great Lakes Lake Effect/ Persephone Double IPA
5) Bellwoods Double Nelson/Driftwood Raised By Wolves

I will say though, that if I accidentally forget an IPA in the back of my fridge for 3 or 4 months, I hope it is Great Lakes Karma Citra. That one falls off slower than anything I have had.

 

Oh yes, that double nelson was one of the best double IPA bellwoods made. I forgot about that!

 

High Road - Bronan is probably the best ipa brewed in canada that i've had. sad they don't bottle/can it.

Fat Tug
Boogie Monster
Jutsu
Robohop
Lake Effect
Yakima
Moralite/Immoralite

All excellent. I'd love to try more northwinds stuff.

 

Any love for Old Yale IPAs?

I've always poured em. Don't want to miss out on that unfiltered beauty.

 

Double/Imperial IPAs are out, right?

Based on my ratings, I'd say:

1. Driftwood Fat Tug
2. Central City Red Racer
3. Tofino Hoppin' Cretin
4. Dieu du Ciel Moralite
5. Parallel 49 Lord of the Hops

but the one I drink the most is Parallel 49 Filthy Dirty.