Best IPAs for newbie

Well, what was the ipa that you liked? That could help narrow down the suggestions or else your going to get everything from enjoy by ipa to harpoon ipa, which are completely different.

 

Modus Hoperandi by Ska is solid.

 

I'd recommend Fresh Squeezed by Deschutes (PS - I'm too lazy to see if they distro to New Jersey so tough cookies ), Stone IPA, and if you could score some Firestone Walker Union Jack, you'd be golden too. Also, I second TongoRad on the SN Torpedo, it never disappoints!

PS - Sorry in advance if any of these taste like pennies to you... I can't recall ever having an IPA taste like pennies

PPS - Remember, always try to score the freshest IPAs possible (no more than 90 days old). It really does make a huge difference; ie, a fresh but average IPA will almost always be better than an old but excellent IPA.

 

You can use this site to check which of these suggestions are available where you live:
http://www.seekabrew.com/distro/index.html

As an example- if you are near the NY border you can get Bell's Two Hearted there- that one isn't available in NJ.

 

ANTI-HERO

 

Lucky that you live in an area with wide distribution. Personally, I would seek out any American Pale Ale/Imperial Pale Ale and argue the differences/similarities between the two styles.

 

Some really good ones that aren't like searching for Bigfoot or a unicorn would be two hearted, sculpin, flower power, hop devil, Pliny the elder oops that's Bigfoot, heady topper oops that's the unicorn! There are a lot of great ones out there just sample. Btw Pliny and heady are worth searching for along the way! (Outstanding)

 

Bell's Two Hearted is smooth as silk. For a different take try Smuttynose Finestkind- this is an underrated beer, even though it is generally reviewed well. And Lagunitas IPA is really easy to drink, a great bargain, and generally available. Good luck. Oh, try Meantime IPA from London for a non-American experience that is perfect.

 

New Belgium Ranger and Sierra Nevada Torpedo got me in to IPA's a long time ago and I still love em. You can find them almost everywhere too.

 

Sierra Nevada Torpedo
Dogfish Head 60 & 90 Minute
Stone IPA
Victory HopDevil
Lagunitas IPA
Firestone Walker Union Jack
Troegs Perpetual IPA

All of these are top-notch (I think) and are the more accessible (both in flavor and availability) IPAs. If you don't like at least one of these, IPAs probably aren't for you.

 

Jump in. Learn how to read Julian codes & bottled on dates and you'll realize that most IPA's & Double IPA's are close to as good as the heavy hitters so long as you buy them within 2 weeks of bottling. As much as I love Lagunitas, this does not apply to their flagship IPA... Or DFH 90 min.

 

Ballast Point Sculpin
Ithaca Flower Power
FoundersAll Day
Troegs Perpetual
DFH 60 Minute
Ballast Point Big Eye
Brekinridge Small Batch 471
Lagunitas Maximus
Sam Adams Latitude 48
Kane Head High
Good luck!

 

I'm not going to toss any rotten fruits at ya! That beer will do its justice. It's a bit muted, so I agree. This is an appropriate starter IPA.

 

SN Torpedo/Celebration and Lagunitas IPA got me started.

I got my buddies started with
DFH 90 Minute
Ballast Point Sculpin
Firestone Union Jack
-A group trip to Russian River got some of my other buddies hooked

If you have an opportunity to try Pliny or Heady Topper go for it !!!!!!!!!

 

I mostly get the copper taste from ~2mo+ old Centennial, but fresh it tastes very bright and fruity.

Whatever is freshest is best, and don't be afraid of Imperial/Double IPA's. Plenty of IIPA's taste sweeter and less bitter than their "single" counterpart from the extra malt. Lagunitas Hop Stoopid, New Belgium Ranger and Rampant are always my recommended "starter" IPA's, with an empasis on Hop Stoopid. It's pretty sweet and has wide variety of hoppy "green" flavors.

Southern Tier's IPA, 2xIPA, and Unearthly should be very easy for you to find fresh, too.

 

I'm gonna have to respectively disagree. I feel like most Stone beers tend to be pretty darn bitter. For someone just starting out with IPAs, I feel this wouldn't be a good start. I tried IPAs from Stone and FW Union Jack IPA when I was trying to get into IPAs and was pretty turned off by the massive bitterness they had. Personally, I'd recommend beers like Ithaca's Flower Power, Founders All Day IPA, or DFH 60 minute IPA. Also, if you live close to PA , I highly recommend Two Hearted from Bells as a good start to IPAs.

 

Lagunitas IPA is great, Stone IPA, Sierra Nevada Pale ale (I know its not an IPA but it is a great hopped but not over hopped beer), racer 5 IPA, Drakes IPA

 

I can handle a disagreement Stone IPA is the first IPA I ever had. I was hooked after that.

 

while its avail in NJ...Otter Creek Citra Mantra