Favorite readily/currently available IPAs

My favorite IPA from Texas is Lone Pint Yellow Rose. From out of state would be Bell's Two Hearted.

 

I can't help but feel like the best "readily/currently available" IPAs are whatever seasonal or limited release offering you can get your hands on at the time.
For instance, Enjoy By isn't that hard to get a bottle or two of, and it's exceptional. The same thing goes (right now) for Lagunitas Sucks. I think Sierra Nevada's Northern Hemisphere (definitely has a differently, darker kind of pine/hoppines) was a great seasonal release, rating in only about half a point shy of Heady Topper for me on the BA scale. I also like
SN Flipside Red IPA (perhaps a bit less citrusy, but has great hop oils)
Founder's Red Rye PA
Sixpoint Hi-Res (hoppy but also a little oily and more alcholic - awesome)
Ballast Point Sculpin (not my favorite of the bunch, but very solid)
Bell's Two Hearted (citrusy AND available year round)

... just to name a few off the top of my head that I like that aren't too hard to get.

 

Citrusy and easy to find and easy to drink would be founders all day .
Sucks and sculpin also now available , IMO, more tropical than citrus.
If in Austin area hops and grain greenpoint and uinta hop nosh are top nosh

 

Great recommendations here. Another suggestion would be Community Mosaic.

 

Also, how could I forget the Victory offerings. I hear Dirtwolf is hard to get in some places, but its pretty easy to get around me. Also, I like Hop Ranch.

 

Already mentioned but I love Lone Pint Yellow Rose (draft only), Ballast Point Sculpin, Victory Dirt Wolf, Stone Enjoy By and Saint Arnold Endeavor.

 

Lost Gold usually gets left out of these convos but is a very nice easy drinking IPA. Fairly citrusy from what I remember but Its been a while since i had one. One tip for IPAs, make sure to check the date if possible. Freshness is key. I sometimes feel like a snob but I usually pass on anything over a month-month and a half old.

 

Right now I've had plenty of Lagunitas Sucks, Sixpoint Hi-Res and Stone Enjoy By 2/14. Dirtwolf and Hop Ranch both also solid. Good local stuff readily available too like Peticolas Sit Down or I'll Sit You Down, Lone Pint Yellow Rose

 

All Day IPA is my recommended entry point. I love IPAs, but it took me a while to get to that point. Of course I have no idea what Bud, Miller or Coors tastes like either. I've had one truly terrible beer in my life so maybe I'm too easy to please. Ply me with alcohol you little beer and I'll love you.

 

Torpedo by Sierra Nevada is good place to start.

 

The following "when fresh IPAs" are good and actually readily available:

1- Firestone Walker Union Jack
2- Stone IPA
3- Dogfishhead 60 Minute
4- Uinta Hop Nosh
5- Karbach Hopadillo


The easy to find DIPAs that fall into this category are:

1- Firestone Walker Double Jack
2- Stone Ruination
3- Lagunitas Hop Stupid
4- Dogfishhead Burton Baton
5- Avery Maharaja

This was a quick top 5 list that can change for me any day any time...lol. Take it for whatever my little 2 cents is actually worth. I have tried and bought so many that I am super picky. Others may think my list blows. Also I excluded beers like Lagunitas Sucks since it's not as easy to find at most Specs or HEBs most days.

 

Start with a Session IPA like Founders All Day IPA.

 

To OP, if you don't like the bitterness of IPAs, start off with something less 'in your face'. Pale ales fit this intro to IPAs best, IMO. Try drinking Sierra Nevada pale ale or Karbach Weekend Warrior. If you like those, stay with them awhile, gradually building up your tolerance until you feel you are ready for something more potent in the bitterness department. Then, move to IPAs such as Founders All Day, Founders Centennial, Lone Pint Yellow Rose, etc. Keep in mind, as you shop for IPAs and IIPAs, freshness is critical and you will have to pay attention to bottling dates.

 

Anyone try the new Southern Star and No Label IPAs? Taproom series and 11 Amp that is. Both draft only but the NL will get bottled.