Looking for West Coast IPAs

Head Hunter


Enjoy

 

Within the context of BA, yes.

Giantspace already beat me to it with the recommendation of Fat Heads Head Hunter IPA. Make sure to check the canning date and buy fresh.

Cheers!

 

Well, you are living on the wrong coast...

 

What's funny about that comment, is that at the time of its heavier use, West Coast IPA was a term for a less balanced IPA. At least that's how I remember it, but the reality was probably more complicated. When you say East Coast, I assume you mean a modern hazy beer.

These beers can be quite different from each other, but some possibilities for you are: Sierra Nevada Torpedo, Bell's Two Hearted, Ballast Point Sculpin, Stone IPA. Given your location, I assume you are very familiar with 60 and 90 Minute from Dogfish Head.

 

I call all non-hazy domestic IPAs American IPAs.

 

Revolution Anti-Hero has been my favorite WC/American/Non-hazy whatever you call it IPA lately. If they don't distro to you, Founders Centennial, SN Torpedo, Lagunitas IPA, Bells Two Hearted all good widely available options. I'd imagine you have a local brewer making a decent one too.

I remember seeking after Green Flash back in the IBU-war days. Are they still around?

 

I call them 'regular' IPAs to distinguish them from the murk bombs.

Cheers!

 

Yes, 15 years ago a "West Coast IPA" was all pale malt, dry finish, bitter. Vs. an "East Coast IPA" which might have been brewed with some kilned or caramel malt that provided some malt flavor underneath the hops. I.e. the difference between Stone IPA and Victory Hop Devil.

Now with NE IPAs, the "balanced" question is whether the beer is just all sweet fruitiness without any balancing bitterness.

 

I believe that is the case as far as BA goes...you're not alone either.

If you're in Maryland, I think union craft brews some old school type IPAs...I remember double duckpin being one of them, maybe? Have you tried it?

Victory (hop devil), Troëgs (perpetual) and Yards (IPA) all make their way to MD I believe...I think they would scratch your itch too. If Cape May gets there, their IPA, not their double IPA, is a nice bitter and very zesty IPA too. Good luck with your hunting

 

Or better yet, a Maryland brewed IPA, Evolution Lot No. 3:



https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/new-beer-sunday-week-795.639827/#post-6905637

But for completeness this beer is more like an East Coast IPA as it was discussed a decade+ ago.

Cheers!

 

Jack I have one of this never forget beer experiences with that beer. My friend used to live in Salisbury. We went for a visit 10 years ago and he had a fresh growler waiting for us…it was like hop nirvana after a three hour car ride. So gloriously hoppy and refreshing!

 

This was a go to way back then. Need to try one again.

Enjoy

 

[QUOTE="DanK,

It used to be much easier to find a hop forward but balanced IPA. Oh those simpler times.[/QUOTE]
I you can get it Brooklyn East India Pale Ale is an excellent example of what you are looking for.