The Standout IPA In Every US State

Hmm. Kane Head High is possibly the most produced IPA in NJ, and I always enjoy it but I’ve had many IPAs in NJ I would say are better/tastier. Also, is Finestkind STILL considered the standout in NH? Maybe for nostalgia?

 

Fiddlehead IPA has been taking the region by storm. In the past several years it has gone from somewhat hard to find to becoming ubiquitous in CT and MA. It's even in most supermarkets, let alone liquor stores, sometimes available when Sip is not.

 

I'm puzzled about picking NEBCO Locust Reign, mainly because I don't remember seeing it in any stores (although I might have missed it). I would have thought a better choice would have been Fuzzy Baby Ducks.

 

Falcon Smash? If that's the closest thing to a standout we can muster, a more honest list would just say "none."

To be clear, I don't have a better suggestion, but just picking something for the sake of giving each state an entry undermines the list's credibility.

 

Just pick Captains Daughter from RI. That one they picked from Tilted Barn, Titled Barn has tons of IPAs so why does that one stand out. ? I dont get it. I get that Captains Daughter isnt cool and hip and sought after anymore because its sold in a bunch of states now but it still got a high rating and its well known so just pick that one and stop trying to be cute.

 

They might have just sorted the top rated beers on BA by United States / Rhode Island and saw The Chosen One at the top of the list. Now, just have to write a brief fluffy paragraph and, done. I'm wondering if the rest are much the same.

 

Falcon Smash is a fine beer. I'd take it over any of the Commonwealth, Veil, or Aslin IPAs as something that is relatively easy to find in the area that is celebrated.

If this were 15 years ago, Alewerks Bitter Valentine would be my pick, but it just isn't the same.

 

From year to year I suppose that the 'best in style' is also the most popular in a state and has staying power with its fan base until a new IPA/DIPA comes along and knocks it off the top to claim king of the hill. It's likely that many of the beers in this article have staying power and a reputation. The author's research may have found a similar list(s) from prior years and was influenced by it in one way or another to create this group of winners.

I also found a list posted in this forum last year (it was a Vinepair list and the forum thread is linked below if you want to peek) and I was curious how many of the beers are repeats. Turns out that 23 out of 50 were able to hang on to their crown and appear in this year's list. I was a bit surprised that the number wasn't greater, but there are a number of new IPAs born every day, so it's tough to stay relevant

https://www.beeradvocate.com/commun...-rated-ipa-in-every-us-state-2025-map.681891/

 

Recently had Head High first time and LOVED IT. What are some others that you'd consider better? Not too familiar with NJ IPAs. Thanks!

 

I've NEVER seen it. Yeah, FBD or GBot

 

FBD was the choice in last year's Vinepair list that I cited above.

 

Wren House Spellbinder is a good one for a hazy IPA. I would pick Wrenovation for a non-hazy IPA.

 

IMHO, almost everything from Tilted Barn trashes anything from Grey Sail.

 

Yup, I feel like its meteoric rise is more recent than 2017. I still can't speak to it being ubiquitous in Vermont specifically since I haven't been up there since 2016.

 

Surly Furious is not and never was high on my list of best MN IPA's. From Surly I prefer The Axe Man or Abrasive. Steel Toe IPA's are good.
I don't drink all that many IPA's these days so I'm not sure which MN IPA's is the best now. There are plenty of newer MN IPA's I haven't tried.
I usually just stick with Summit Imperial Saga. But I prefer a somewhat old school west coast style IPA.

 

I hear ya. Luce Line Ecstatic Static and or Chronicopia are bang on.

 

GLBC Commodore Perry for me. Followed by: Head Hunter, Two-Hearted and Bodhi.

 

Oh lordy that's a good great beer.