Best IPA's

Another thread got me thinking about a similar issue. Of the 368 beers I've reviewed since June of last year, I've scored only 5 as a 3.0 or below. I'd like to think this is because I'm virtually incapable of buying a below-average beer, but in my heart of hearts I probably know better.

 

IPAs:

Ballast Point Sculpin
Bear Republic Racer 5
Alesmith IPA

Double IPAs:

Alchemist Heady Topper
Hill Farmstead Galaxy
Russian River Pliny the Elder

 

Just looking at all the great beers listed on this thread, I don't think we'll all ever agree on the top three. But we can probably all at least agree that we're spoiled for choice. What a glorious time to be a beer drinker.

 

and 4 of the top 10 are from San Diego. Woot woot!

 

If I had to pick 3 'regular' IPAs to drink forever..I think I could subsist on Sculpin, Flower Power, and Finestkind and be doing pretty damn good

 

Bear Republic Altered Beast is currently my favorite right now. Absolutely delicious.

 

My favorite standard IPA is SN Celebration...makes the Holiday season better. On the year rounders, got to go Finest Kind, Stone IPA, and Sculpin. The Imperials begin and end with Pliny (though I have never had Heady Topper, so I will keep an open mind), though I do enjoy fresh Hopslam, Double Jack, and Ruination.

 

Disagree-but all 3 brews the OP mentioned are very good.-pretty much everyone is going to have their own list on this one.

My top 3 (I added a 4th since one on each list are not bottled or canned)

IPAs

Masala Mama (not bottled)
Racer 5
Central City Red Racer (canned)
Alesmith IPA


DIPAs

Barley's Four Seas (not bottled)
Captain Lawrence Captains Reserve
Heady Topper (canned)
Alesmith Summer Yulesmith

 

...and also about my own reviews being overall relatively high. It has to do with the fact that I am (and people are) trading for/seeking out beers that are supposed to be awesome yet unavailable in my (their) area. Yea, these beers are going to have more reviews and are, understandably so, going to be rated highly.

 

This thread is like a 3 yr old YMCA soccer league, Everyone gets a trophy! This thread did three things for me:
1. Reminded me of beers that I have access to that I need to appreciate more and also share with other BAs that do not have access to them. 2. Remind me of awesome IPAs that are not in my market that I need to trade for, and last but not least, 3. How much I miss 2011's Founders Harvest Ale! Great Day in the Morning that is a fantastic IPA!

 

any IPA out of a bottle or can is not fresh enough, you have to get it straight from the tank or it's a drain pour

 

IPA:

Sculpin
Blind Pig
White Oak Jai Alai
Stone IPA
Union Jack
Hopsickle
Palate Wrecker
Hoptimum

IIPA:
Pliny
Racer X
Double Jack
Harpoon Leviathan
Sucks
Hopsickle
Palate Wrecker
Hoptimum

Ones I need to try already: Heady Topper, Hopslam, Citra, Dreadnaught

 

Some 51 posts and yet no love for Loose Cannon.

 

That is a nice looking head/lace.

 

Acquired a bottle of White Rajah tonight, can't wait to crack it open.

 

Love that avatar BTW.

 

That's because it's the best IPA in America. Nothing comes close to Columbus except super fresh White Rajah, and even it is not as consistently good as Columbus.

 

Right on...nothing can top it and I've had 95% of all the big hitters out there..

 

Sculpin, Blind Pig, Duet/Union Jack.

 

After trying ZD recently for the first time, I have a hard time understanding its classification...