Local West Coast IPAs

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by maximum12, Mar 7, 2019.

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  1. maximum12

    maximum12 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,686) Jan 21, 2008 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    So, the haze craze has come & gone at the maximum12 residence. After having some great locals, there are too many that are not finding favor in my heart.

    That said, a late fall trip out to CA rekindled my love for the old, bitter, West Coast IPA. Since the death of my beloved Surly Overrated has left a hole in my fridge, what are some good local non-hazy alternatives?
     
    #1 maximum12, Mar 7, 2019
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  2. Bravak

    Bravak Zealot (587) Sep 9, 2014 Minnesota

    Two that I really like are Size 7 from Steel Toe and Traitor from Badger Hill. Always good and great quality/consistency in both draft and canned from my experience. I don’t think you can go wrong with those two.

    *edit. Another one that I used to love was Hop Dish from Lift Bridge. But I haven’t had one in a while. I need to try that one again. It used to by a favorite.
     
    #2 Bravak, Mar 7, 2019
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  3. hhughes2008

    hhughes2008 Devotee (306) Oct 25, 2016 Minnesota
    Trader

    Town Hall Masala Mama, Castle Danger Ode or 17-7 pale
     
    #3 hhughes2008, Mar 7, 2019
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  4. ipeters1017

    ipeters1017 Initiate (0) Dec 15, 2016 Wisconsin

    Insight's flagship IPAs are both pretty good at scratching that itch.
     
    #4 ipeters1017, Mar 7, 2019
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  5. SipIt

    SipIt Pundit (752) Jul 18, 2013 Minnesota
    Trader

    Heck yeah, I still drink a lot of size 7. Especially when I find it relatively fresh (got some about two weeks old in the fridge right now).
     
    #5 SipIt, Mar 7, 2019
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  6. maximum12

    maximum12 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,686) Jan 21, 2008 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Good lord, I'd forgotten all about Size 7, I used to love that beer. Definitely give that one a chance. I've never had Traitor, will have to pick up a fresh one & give it a whirl. Thanks!
     
    #6 maximum12, Mar 7, 2019
  7. maximum12

    maximum12 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,686) Jan 21, 2008 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I'll pick up a single & give it a shot, but I've never been impressed with Insight. Maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised!
     
    #7 maximum12, Mar 7, 2019
  8. HipHoppin

    HipHoppin Crusader (472) Feb 11, 2015 Minnesota

    Honest to god personal opinion here, after just going through hating the haze phase. F*ck local attempts at West Coast IPAs, after the dire need for real beer after this haze BS, don't starve yourself of the truly great WCIPA. Get the real deal.
     
    #8 HipHoppin, Mar 7, 2019
  9. Chaz

    Chaz Grand Pooh-Bah (3,668) Feb 3, 2002 Minnesota
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Bent Paddle (Duluth is “local”, right?) still has “Harness (The Winter)” as a seasonal, and it’s up there in my Minnesota-style West Coast IPA pantheon.
     
    #9 Chaz, Mar 7, 2019
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  10. ipeters1017

    ipeters1017 Initiate (0) Dec 15, 2016 Wisconsin

    I thought about throwing Harness in my post (it's one of my favorites in state!) but I haven't found a fresh batch in a while, seeing as it released back in Oct/Nov. Not all that great after 3 months.

    Their Lollygagger pale ale drops next week though and that's their other hop bomb, might be worth a shot
     
    #10 ipeters1017, Mar 7, 2019
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  11. gatornation

    gatornation Grand High Pooh-Bah (10,388) Apr 18, 2007 Arizona
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Yes it is. Also like Duluth Brewhouse Superior Trail IPA.
     
    #11 gatornation, Mar 7, 2019
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  12. Rajaholick

    Rajaholick Zealot (678) Jan 9, 2011 Ohio
    Trader

    Steel Toe sticker fight cans were amazing.
     
    #12 Rajaholick, Mar 7, 2019
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  13. maximum12

    maximum12 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,686) Jan 21, 2008 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I have no idea what this means. If it weren't so damn expensive, I'd make Todd the Axe Man my go-to. There's some good Stone stuff out there too, but finding it fresh is hit & miss. I know they're out there!
     
    #13 maximum12, Mar 7, 2019
  14. maximum12

    maximum12 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,686) Jan 21, 2008 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Very good beer, but not a year-round! Still, maybe I'll alter my qualifications & find a good seasonal each season to stock up on. At least that way I'll know it's fresh!
     
    #14 maximum12, Mar 7, 2019
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  15. maximum12

    maximum12 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,686) Jan 21, 2008 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Huh. I've never heard of this beer, nor do I recall seeing it on shelves.
     
    #15 maximum12, Mar 7, 2019
  16. Chaz

    Chaz Grand Pooh-Bah (3,668) Feb 3, 2002 Minnesota
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    It was a swing and a miss for me, but I appreciated their effort.
     
    #16 Chaz, Mar 7, 2019
  17. gatornation

    gatornation Grand High Pooh-Bah (10,388) Apr 18, 2007 Arizona
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    It started as a collaboration with Loll Designs that recycles plastic into mostly furniture.. Always liked this PA crisp and citrus forward.
     
    #17 gatornation, Mar 7, 2019
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  18. HammsMeASAP

    HammsMeASAP Pundit (931) Jun 14, 2012 Minnesota

    I actually don't mind Axe Man.... @islay :sunglasses:
     
    #18 HammsMeASAP, Mar 7, 2019
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  19. HipHoppin

    HipHoppin Crusader (472) Feb 11, 2015 Minnesota

    What I mean is if you really want a WCIPA don’t go local. I love our beer but as others have mentioned, our style is now the Midwest IPA... which I love. But nothing beats a true west coast from Cali. Especially after all this haze bullshnit.
     
    #19 HipHoppin, Mar 8, 2019
  20. maximum12

    maximum12 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,686) Jan 21, 2008 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    There are certainly a few that have qualified over the years, but we have nothing like what CA does, where a brewpub on every corner has a good to amazing WCIPA. But I'd put Todd & a few others up as true examples of the style, they're just not as prevalent here. Unfortunately.
     
    #20 maximum12, Mar 8, 2019
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