Discovered IPAs and need recommendations

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by leosfire, Jun 5, 2014.

Tags:
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
Page 4 of 9
  1. leosfire

    leosfire Initiate (0) Jun 4, 2014 Arizona

    It makes me feel proud that I've had a quarter of the suggestions here and have loved them. Oskar Blues makes great beer and I can't wait to see them at the Beer Festival I'm going to next weekend! I don't think I've had the Deviant Dales, but will pick it up next time I'm at the store, I think one of the local farmer's markets has it on sale this week.... I think it was the Fresh Sqeezed that started my fast track into IPAs. I need to learn all the lingo you masters of craft beer use, but to me it was so fresh, citrusy, and smooth....just a damn good beer!
     
    #61 leosfire, Jun 5, 2014
    SFACRKnight likes this.
  2. leosfire

    leosfire Initiate (0) Jun 4, 2014 Arizona

    I have a question. Before I taste a beer, I always smell it. When I do this with IPAs, in my mind I always think, floral or citrusy. When I was reading about IPAs, I kept seeing the term 'herbal'. Is that the 'floral' scent and taste that I'm picking up from some IPAs? I'm trying to learn and don't want to come across as a moron when I'm trying to describe a beer. :slight_smile:
     
    #62 leosfire, Jun 5, 2014
  3. HuskyHawk

    HuskyHawk Initiate (0) Jun 5, 2014 Massachusetts

    Lots of good suggestions already. I won't repeat them. Suggest trying Lagunitas Little Sumpin Sumpin as well. Tremendously citrusy. Not all beers that are effectively IPA style are labled "IPA". The Lagunitas Sucks Sucks (Brown Shugga Substitute Ale) is also excellent. I have some Heady Topper, but I'm giving it away and drinking it.
     
    #63 HuskyHawk, Jun 5, 2014
  4. Ieatlambfries

    Ieatlambfries Maven (1,344) Dec 5, 2003 New Jersey

    Well some really good IPAs and Double IPAs have already been mentioned. Heck, a few of them are even available in your state.

    Anyhoo, use this site to find who distributes in AZ: http://www.seekabrew.com/distro/index.html

    If you get a recommendation here, or find stuff listed by rating on the site, you can then check this list to see if it actually makes it to your state.

    Next phase, start beer trading for some real whales...mwuhuhahaha
     
    #64 Ieatlambfries, Jun 5, 2014
  5. CentralOregonBeerhound

    CentralOregonBeerhound Initiate (0) Apr 2, 2014 Oregon

    Depends on the hops used. I've gotten a lot of different nose from IPAs ranging from herbal, citrus, pine, juniper, etc.
     
    #65 CentralOregonBeerhound, Jun 5, 2014
  6. leosfire

    leosfire Initiate (0) Jun 4, 2014 Arizona


    That's a great site, thanks for the link!
     
    #66 leosfire, Jun 5, 2014
    Ieatlambfries likes this.
  7. Ieatlambfries

    Ieatlambfries Maven (1,344) Dec 5, 2003 New Jersey

    You're welcome.
     
    #67 Ieatlambfries, Jun 5, 2014
  8. SFACRKnight

    SFACRKnight Grand Pooh-Bah (3,348) Jan 20, 2012 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    [​IMG]
    Here is a copy of the hop flavor wheel poster. It covers most hop flavors and aromas. You will hear terms like woody, herbal, earthy with hops like fuggles and mt hood. Noble hops like hallertauer and tetnanger have floral components, and American hops are usually citrus, tropical, dank and piney. These are broad generalizations, and there are always exceptions. Mt Hood and Liberty are both American hops but have properties similar to german noble hops. Mandarina Bavaria is a german hop that is bred from American cascade. If you find yourself really wanting to nerd out check out the book For the Love of Hops.
    http://www.amazon.com/For-The-Love-Hops-Bitterness/dp/1938469011
    And, to answer your question, herbal and floral are not the same thing. Understand that everyone has a different palate and that you may not pick up the same flavors I would in the same beer. Also, there are a lot of people out there who want to show off their palate, and you will see descriptors for beers like "old leather" and "tobacco" in beers that don't have those flavors.
     
    #68 SFACRKnight, Jun 5, 2014
  9. leosfire

    leosfire Initiate (0) Jun 4, 2014 Arizona

    This is a good place to start I think. It's good to know I was at least in the right ballpark. I find myself wondering if there are certain things in a certain beer that I'm supposed to be picking up. I think right now I'm hitting on the very broad generalizations, like you said. I think I might look into beer tastings in my area. I can read all I want, but I think the best way to learn is to drink! Drinking with experienced craft beer geeks would also help, because I'm sure they can tell you what to look for.
     
    #69 leosfire, Jun 5, 2014
  10. Mikexw

    Mikexw Pooh-Bah (2,314) Mar 3, 2014 New York
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I would be careful about tastings if they are all IPA's - you might be better off trying one or two that are theoretically different and see your preference. I tried to do an IPA tasting with 7 really highly ranked IPA's last winter, and don't think I appreciated any after the first two; they were all ranked highly enough that they deserved another chance, and I think almost all of them seemed better the second time around.

    And realistically, all that matters is that you figure out what you like.
     
    #70 Mikexw, Jun 6, 2014
  11. Kadonny

    Kadonny Pooh-Bah (2,616) Sep 5, 2007 Florida
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    So many great IPAs so little time.
     
    #71 Kadonny, Jun 6, 2014
  12. brewmance82

    brewmance82 Initiate (0) Nov 10, 2013 Illinois

    The two currently dominating my fridge are Stone's Enjoy By and Revolution's Galaxy Hero. Both are always a good choice..
     
    #72 brewmance82, Jun 6, 2014
  13. nc41

    nc41 Initiate (0) Sep 25, 2008 North Carolina
    Trader

    I'd hit Alpine brews, all are great and can be ordered on line. Easy to get fresh too, won't disappoint.
     
    #73 nc41, Jun 6, 2014
  14. jimmyfishkin

    jimmyfishkin Initiate (0) Nov 17, 2008 Wisconsin

    Dark Horse Crooked Tree IPA is one of my go to beers, IPA or not - highly recommend it.
     
    #74 jimmyfishkin, Jun 6, 2014
  15. Billet

    Billet Pundit (794) Dec 17, 2013 Michigan

    Crooked Tree is very good indeed. I might also suggest Victory Hop Devil and Arcadia Hop Mouth, I've had both recently and they are both very good.
     
    #75 Billet, Jun 6, 2014
  16. MisSigsFan

    MisSigsFan Initiate (0) Mar 2, 2013 California

    You're probably gonna have a hard time finding anything from Ithaca (they make Flower Power). Some of these suggestions, while good, are not realistic considering your location. Check out Stone, Ballast Point, Green Flash, Bear Republic, Oscar Blues, Deschuttes, Firestone, Great Divide, and Left Hand.
     
    #76 MisSigsFan, Jun 6, 2014
  17. leosfire

    leosfire Initiate (0) Jun 4, 2014 Arizona

    Yeah, I wrote down all the suggestions here and then looked them up and sadly, most are not available to me here. I have heard of Pliny being available, but it's rare. I think I need to make a trip to CA and hit up the breweries there. I'm also thinking I should start saving to go to the Great American Beer Festival in CO. That seems to be the mother of all beer festivals. Plus, there are tons of great breweries in CO.
     
    #77 leosfire, Jun 6, 2014
  18. SFACRKnight

    SFACRKnight Grand Pooh-Bah (3,348) Jan 20, 2012 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    GABF is overrated. Check out all the other cool stuff going on in Denver that week instead.
     
    #78 SFACRKnight, Jun 6, 2014
  19. Mark

    Mark Initiate (0) Jun 18, 2001 California

    Seeing as you're from Arizona I would say Four Peaks English and American style IPA's are both great.
     
    #79 Mark, Jun 6, 2014
  20. StLeasy

    StLeasy Initiate (0) Sep 8, 2013 Illinois

    With plenty of very good and available options- Bear Republic, Firestone Walker, Bell's, Founders, Stone, O'Dell, Dogfish Head, Ballast Point, etc.- for me, choosing among them is simple: the freshest one always tastes the best. Not saying they all taste the same, either; tons of different fruity and floral notes depending on which hops were used and when, but freshness is definitely key.

    I'd also recommend trying different hoppy styles, all of which freshness is very important IMO-
    Black IPAs/Hoppy Black ales like Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous and Firestone Walker Wookey Jack. Extremely drinkable
    Hoppy reds like Founders Red's Rye, Green Flash Hop Head Red, Stone Arrogant Bastard for a very piney and aggressive example.
     
    #80 StLeasy, Jun 7, 2014
    Mikexw likes this.
Page 4 of 9
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.