New to IPAs

I'd say that you are thinking logically. You can try your educational experiment by jumping right in to see if any IPA that you select is likable, or you can choose a Pale Ale like you did and work your way into the hoppier beers. A Pilsner would also be a good choice now too. This list ( http://beeradvocate.com/beer/style ) has all of the styles here on the BA site, and English IPAs are typically less hoppy than American IPAs, so choose that style and then look at the listing for any specific beers that are easily found in your area.

 

Since you've tried Sierra Nevada Pale Ale already, they their Celebration Ale and then move on to Sierra Nevada Torpedo and then Sierra Nevada Hoptimum...once you've acquired the taste of IPA's then there's a whole different world out there with MANY IPA's that you need to try...

Cheers!

 

I dont know if your just want to stick to IPA's or variations or hopy beer like dark IPA's Double IPA's. Id suggest maybe trying a SN Celebration (fresh hops) Double IPA like DFH 90 min ( which is sweeter but rich)
I dunno how much this is helping so Ill just list some IPA's ive enjoyed

DFH 90 Min
Ithaca flower power
SN celebration
Lagunitas lil sumpin
New Glarus moon man

 

Since your in NJ, finds some firestone walker union jack. That'll send you off in the right direction.

 

Trying to think of some easily found stuff on the East Coast - if you have a bottle shop near you see if you can get single bottles of Smuttynose Finestkind and Dogfish Head 60 minute IPA - they tend to be readily accessible and more malt/English IPA based. If those suit your liking I'd consider moving on to something like Lagunitas' IPA or a can of Oskar Blues "Dale's Pale Ale". From there I'd try a bottle of Stone IPAor Founders' Centennial IPA. After that Ruination and Hop Stoopid are cheap and easily found palate wreckers if you make it that far.

 

there is no way to go about it apart from going in the store and buying some then consuming it

 

I don't know if Ithaca Flower Power is in NJ.... but it will set you free. Just smell it for about a minute before even trying it. Good luck on your journey. When you are ready to reach the top of the mountain... head to Warren, VT and get some Lawson's Double Sunshine. You will cry it's so delicious. But that's for another day.

Make sure that the IPA's you buy are fresh. The quickest way to get turned off to a brand and/or this style is to neglect this issue.

 

Two Hearted

 

Was just about to post the same. First IPA I truly "liked" (though the first time I had Hopslam was what made me really seek out as many IPAs and etc as possible).

 

I'm almost drunk, so I didn't read your entire post, but I DID see Whitewater IPA.

That was one of the first IPAs I had, and I disliked that one a LOT. To this day, it's still probably my least favorite IPA. I'm the opposite from you, though. I'm a fan of IPAs and other styles a beer, and stouts/porters are the beer styles I like least. I mean. They're good and all, but I don't like drinking too much of them.

Basically ... try something else. Torpedo IPA from Sierra Nevada is a beer that can be found anywhere and is a quality choice.

 

Two Hearted is the next wrung in the ladder as you climb your way to the pinnacle of Mount Lupin Threshold Shift.

 

And after Two Hearted...Green Flash West Coast IPA

When you get ready to move to DIPA....start with Laugunitas Maximus

 

Two Hearted is a greatgreatgreat IPA. Just behind Racer 5 as my favorite. If you don't like Two Hearted, I'd find it hard to believe that you'd like ANY IPA..

 

smuttynose finest kind, schlafly tasmanian ipa, lagunitas sucks are some of the tastiest easy drinkers i have had.

 

Here are a few suggestions to ease into the Pale Ales / IPAs. I think that trying some pale ales is a good idea too, similar styles, pale ales are usually more approachable than IPAs.

Pale Ales:
Flying Fish Extra Pale Ale (From NJ, not a "great" pale ale, but it is very drinkable, nothing to crazy, good price, and local!)
Founders Pale Ale
Magic Hat #9
Flying Dog Doggie Style Classic Pale Ale

IPAs:
Cricket Hill Hopnotic IPA (From NJ, same as above, not the best in the stye, but local and a good place to start)
Dogfish Head 60 Minute
Southern Tier IPA
Stone IPA

Try to go for IPA's that aren't too high ABV to start. I think you will find lower ABV IPAs more likeable at first. Trying an Imperial IPA like SN Hoptimum (one of my favorites) may be too much for someone just getting to know IPAs.

 

No Two Hearted in NJ, unfortunately, and Flower Power distribution tends to be spotty.

Similar to Two Hearted, though, are Stone IPA and Founders Centennial. I'd suggest saving those for the next step, and for now to move on to Anchor Liberty Ale and Goose Island IPA- both are quite tasty and a little more 'user friendly' in the bitterness department, but with a good amount of citrusy hop aroma.

 

Odell IPA is quality choice because of it's relatively low bitterness (60 IBUs I think) and delicious hop flavor.