Best, widely distributed draft IPA in Mass.

Discussion in 'New England' started by SpauldingSmails, Jun 15, 2017.

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  1. SpauldingSmails

    SpauldingSmails Zealot (602) Sep 11, 2014 Massachusetts

    I'm sure I shouldn't fret about such things, but I get pretty worked up when I go into a place and the selection is Sam, Goose Island, Harpoon and name-your-domestic-Bud-like brew. Maybe Guinness as well as the supposed 'craft' representative for. I was at the Sail Loft last eve and noted the disappointing list. Pre-beer appreciation, I used to go in there all the time and have a martini, so I didn't worry about it. Last night, I decided to have a water instead.

    So, with one axis as quality of IPA (up for debate, I'm sure) and the other axis availability (# of locations rather than how often a place that stocks it, has it in stock), what would be your pick? Anpther thing, quality of beverage is at least twice as important as availability, maybe more.

    I live in Metro West, so I'm sure that skews my sample as well, but I'm going to go with Wormtown Be Hoppy. I feel like they have done a nice job of getting some wider distribution, but still make a pretty tasty brew. BTW, this doesn't have to be restricted to local brews...just IPA/PA.

    Or? No one could find this at all interesting and this thread will disappear in a day or two!
     
    #1 SpauldingSmails, Jun 15, 2017
  2. DeweyCheatem-n-Howe

    DeweyCheatem-n-Howe Initiate (0) May 23, 2015 Massachusetts

    Santilli, I'd say.
     
    #2 DeweyCheatem-n-Howe, Jun 15, 2017
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  3. dwmetsfan13

    dwmetsfan13 Pundit (784) Jul 22, 2013 Massachusetts
    Trader

    Jack's Abby's hoppy stuff has to be on the radar, even if not technically IPA.
     
    #3 dwmetsfan13, Jun 15, 2017
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  4. emannths

    emannths Initiate (0) Sep 21, 2007 Massachusetts

    For off-premise, I've been finding the intersection of price, quality, and easily-found-fresh perfectly satisfied by 6pks of Otter Creek Free Flow IPA. Cans too, which is nice.
     
    #4 emannths, Jun 15, 2017
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  5. joberlander

    joberlander Initiate (0) May 30, 2014 Massachusetts
    Trader

    definitely a Night Shift beer, whirlpool, santilli, or 87. They have done a great job of expanding their distribution. I've been seeing a lot of Lord Hobo on random places list as one of the only "craft beers" alongside the usually sam adams, harpoon etc., which is really sad because I am not a fan of any of lord hobos offerings.
     
    #5 joberlander, Jun 16, 2017
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  6. ncuba

    ncuba Initiate (0) Dec 20, 2008 Massachusetts

    Hard for me to say bc Guinness is my go-to in places like this, but I'd vote for SNPA. Excellent with a pretty large distribution.

    For the regionally offered, local brews I prefer Be Hoppy to the NS IPAs, but I sure would love to see Whirlpool on tap, especially in restaurants. I love low abv when I'm eating out because it spares me indigestion and having to worry about BAC for the drive home.
     
    #6 ncuba, Jun 16, 2017
  7. mrz200

    mrz200 Initiate (0) Jul 11, 2013 Massachusetts

    I'd put Lord Hobo Glorious on the short list of best hoppy beers found easily. OC Free Flow is an excellent call. Long Trail Green Blaze (still around?) was one I loved last summer.

    sigh...the sail loft...I lived as bachelor in the north end in the late 90's and the sail loft's tap list of SNPA, Harpoon IPA, Sam Summer, Magic Hat #9 was borderline revolutionary 20 years ago. I was last there 3 years ago and I don't believe the tap list was any different. big bummer that place couldn't keep up with the times when it seems like everyone else can.
     
    #7 mrz200, Jun 16, 2017
  8. eb1610

    eb1610 Savant (1,227) Jan 3, 2014 Massachusetts
    Trader

    Greater Good Pulp
     
    #8 eb1610, Jun 17, 2017
  9. randytrevor

    randytrevor Initiate (0) Nov 11, 2014 Massachusetts

    Honestly I don't think it's just one for me, I've been buying a lot of HopU and Excess( I know not really IPAs but close enough), and have really been digging glorious (surprisingly well priced at 11 bucks a 4-pack), and night shift is usually in my fridge too. Also have had all the SOS I can drink lately... ..no wonder I've packed on a couple pounds.....
     
    #9 randytrevor, Jun 17, 2017
  10. LukieBL

    LukieBL Initiate (0) Jun 10, 2015 Massachusetts

    Ipswich 101 cans all summer long. They are usually fresh and very reasonably priced
     
    #10 LukieBL, Jun 19, 2017
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  11. SpauldingSmails

    SpauldingSmails Zealot (602) Sep 11, 2014 Massachusetts

    There are a few above that I don't know well or haven't seen much of. I think the IPL's should count, for sure. I suppose I was mostly thinking On Premise, which is why I was leaning towards Be Hoppy. Once you can move into cans at the package store, it opens up the range of choices quite a bit.
     
    #11 SpauldingSmails, Jun 19, 2017
  12. Leebo

    Leebo Initiate (0) Feb 7, 2013 Massachusetts

    So just draft? And spread across the whole state. Seems it would vary from local to locale. Better question would be where are the best beer bars and locations?
     
    #12 Leebo, Jun 19, 2017
  13. PatrickKellyCT

    PatrickKellyCT Initiate (0) Nov 19, 2013 Connecticut

    Be Hoppy is delicious
     
    #13 PatrickKellyCT, Jun 19, 2017
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  14. SpauldingSmails

    SpauldingSmails Zealot (602) Sep 11, 2014 Massachusetts

    It does spread differently, which is why I was curious to see whether there was any consistency.
     
    #14 SpauldingSmails, Jun 20, 2017
  15. yuppiescum

    yuppiescum Zealot (519) Jun 4, 2009 Massachusetts

    Be Hoppy gets a lot of play on local taps, and it's pretty solid. I'm gonna go with Be Hoppy being the answer to this question.
     
    #15 yuppiescum, Jun 20, 2017
  16. AlcahueteJ

    AlcahueteJ Grand Pooh-Bah (3,242) Dec 4, 2004 Massachusetts
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Unfortunately you received a lot of votes for off-premise beers it seems...which is no small detail considering how many possibilities that opens up.

    My two cents on a draft pick (ha...ha...ha, seemed appropriate with the NBA draft coming up Thursday for the Celtics):

    Be Hoppy seems to be a logical choice both locally and close-ish to the New England style. Sculpin is still a perfectly fine IPA I'm sure (haven't had it for quite some time) that I feel like I see many places.

    If we're ignoring the fact everyone adores the New England style, in terms of quality (remember, QUALITY, not what you prefer) combined with availability, then Harpoon IPA would be my choice.
     
    #16 AlcahueteJ, Jun 20, 2017
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  17. Larueminati

    Larueminati Initiate (0) Sep 3, 2016 Massachusetts

    Mostly everything mentioned above i wouldn't call "widely distributed". Be Hoppy would be in that classification and i'd say it's one of the better more reliable widely distributed beers at the moment.
     
    #17 Larueminati, Jun 20, 2017
  18. eb1610

    eb1610 Savant (1,227) Jan 3, 2014 Massachusetts
    Trader

    Be Hoppy is also one of the most inconsistent beers since their expansion
     
    #18 eb1610, Jun 20, 2017
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  19. Sweatshirt

    Sweatshirt Initiate (0) Jan 27, 2014 New Hampshire

    It's always been. When it's on it's really good though. Most of the beers have been inconsistent since the expansion. I went once and didn't finish a beer and had a great visit a few months later.
     
    #19 Sweatshirt, Jun 21, 2017
  20. SunDevilBeer

    SunDevilBeer Pooh-Bah (1,945) May 9, 2003 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    Strictly IPA: Ipswich Rte 101
    Expand to IPL: Jack's Abby Hoponius

    That is , if we're going on hoppy beers available at many places - chains, non-beer centric spots included.

    Night Shift gaining in this category with their 10 different hoppy beers available at any given time. Congrats on them getting more tap handles.
     
    #20 SunDevilBeer, Jun 21, 2017
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