Best IPAs for newbie

any Sucks he encounters at this point will be old, and not a good representation of either Sucks or a good IPA.

 

Just bought some a week ago. Delicious as ever.

 

Couldn't agree more on the Harpoon IPA, the first IPA I actually liked, especially if you can find it on tap.

 

I believe in Jersey you can get Jai Alai, Stone Enjoy By, Stone Ruination, Lagunitas Sucks and Union Jack.

Those are some good ones to start with.

 

It's not an IPA, but Smuttynose Shoals Pale Ale is a very balanced, moderately hopped beer that is ridiculously drinkable and balanced between hop and malt character.

 

Flower Power, Sam Rebel, and FW Union Jack are pretty approachable IPAs.

 

I suggest Thomas Hooker Hop Meadow, Summit Saga, Uinta Hop Nosh, Avery IPA, and Anderson Valley Hop Ottin'
I definitely second the aforementioned Racer 5 and Ballast Point Big Eye.
All are around the same price point and great tasting.

 

you can get Stone, Ithaca, Troegs, Victory, Lagunitas, Firestone, etc. - but you aren't going to get any Jai Alai in NJ. Sucks allotment is all finished too. no Stone Best By is stores any more either. any limited IPA release is gone in a few days in NJ.

 

Hop Stoopid, Knuckle Sandwich, Arrogant Bastard.

 

I would go with Dogfish 60 Minute or Victory Hop Devil. Both are great IPA's that got me started and they have enough of a malt backbone not to be too bitter for you (sucking on a penny). Plus because you are in NJ you should be able to get very fresh bottles which is important when drinking IPAs. Cheers!!

 

I've introduced many a newb to two hearted. They're minds are usually blown thereafter

 

This is the best advice out there. There's a lot of good IPAs, but Stone is the bomb. Get the regular Stone IPA, save the Ruination for when you've got a few miles on your IPA tongue. Others to consider from my list of personal faves...

Boulevard Single-Wide IPA (not the Double-Wide, bleagh)
Harpoon IPA
Widmer Hopside Down (this is really, really growing on me.... I'd like to try more Widmer's, but didn't love the X114)
Sierra Nevada Torpedo IPA
Dale's Pale Ale (not Deviant Dale's though, bleagh)
And absolutely nothing from Boston Brewing (Sam Adams). They've tried repeatedly but can NOT make a good IPA imo.

Most importantly... experiment and find out what you like.

 

I love IPAs, and they make up at least 90% of my beer consumption. But as much as I've tried, I can't like Dogfish 60 or 90 min. I need to try the 120 min and maybe the ABV will make the flavor irrelevant.

 

Two recommendations may get me to try it, but my experience with Sam's IPAs in the past have been very disappointing (Lat 48, Whitewater, and Double Agent IPL). BB used to be a good brewer.

 

Ok, I'll play. Are you new to IPAs?

 

No, not by a long shot. I usually select new beers by looking at the IBUs. But I've never found a Boston Brewing IPA that I liked.

 

Well, I am astonished by your zeal. Yet maybe you forgot what the thread is about. "Best IPAs for...what? A Newbie". So I understand that BBC doesn't make the best IP anything. The OP stated this. I can't Stand the taste like I'm sucking on a penny. Huge IBU IPAs turn off a lot of newbie drinkers because of the bitterness. That stated, think of a low IBU beer that can get Newbie beer drinker into the realm of quality IPAs.

 

Sweetwater IPA
Highland Kashmir
Foothills Hoppyum

 

Lagunitas IPA
Firestone Union Jack IPA
Racer 5

 

in 6 months they'll all taste the same to you: bitter.