Top region in the U.S for IPA/IIPA/APA

Here we go again

 

No...

 

Just check out pipeworks in chicago. They might produce more than any other out there right now. I'd have to say Midwest holds it down with the ipa's in general, that's just imho though.

 

Can't forgot Floyd's ether those guys smash everyone's pale ale asses

 

That's great, who cares. Maybe one day they can get their shit together and distribute out of their own state.

 

I'm guessing you've never been to San Diego...

 

Let's just say "The West Coast" as in West Coast IPA which most of these eastern breweries have now adapted. Not to say they aren't slaying it, that and this region were my two first thoughts when I read the title.

 

Easily Iowa. All the best beers now from Toppling Goliath. All of them. It's just stupid and unfair to
The rest of us. Period. /thread

 

Northern CA.

Russian River
Cellarmaker
Sante Adairius
Rare Barrel
Knee Deep
Faction
Heretic
Drakes
Sierra Nevada (I know...)

And since youre talking a 3 hour reach:
Firestone Walker and Libertine

 

Midwest has great stuff, but the northeast takes the cake.

 

The dictionary photographer is ready. Entry for 'Homer' is needed.

 

Today, I'm trying Heady Topper. Yesterday, it was Gandhi-Bot. Bother are better than any Midwest IPA I've tried to date...including anything from Pipeworks of FFF.

 

Entire U.S. = top region

 

BOOM, roasted. /thread

 

I dont think that one brewery can hold down a whole region (TG), I would say that SD (and especially Socal as a region) is pretty hard to beat:

Alpine, Societe, Alesmith, Pizza Port, Council.... (oh yea and Stone and Ballast Point)....

Adding in Socal: Nobel Ale Works, Beachwood, Golden Road....

 

Add San Diego and just say ALL of California.

 

Yea I mean holy crap, if we throw all of CA together this just gets silly.....

 

What it sounds like is America as a whole just brews great ipa's. I've yet to try most of the crazy stuff from the west or east cost, but I've had all the easy to get ones that make it out here. Someone send me heady, pliny, and gandi bot!! I got some goodies too

 

Oh, what the hell; Washington.

BaleBreaker Field 41 is the best IPA in the state (even though they call it a Pale), and their Top Cutter IPA is damn delicious. Fremont The Brother, The Sister, and Cowiche Canyon Fresh Hop. Skagit River's The Gospel. We've got flocks of new breweries cranking out the lupulin so quickly, it's hard to keep track.

And, just to be fair, I'm not even gonna bring in all the fresh hop stuff that gets made. Unless you come visit from early September to mid-October, you're not even gonna have a clue.

 

I wanna try fat heads hoppy beers .. I bet they rock

 

Come to PDX, soonish: http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/fat-heads-to-open-brewpub-in-portland-ore.91452/

 

Whaaaa!? Awesome!

 

Its still hard to even get out here!

 

Butcher's Brewing, GroundSwell, Green Flash, Helm, Alpine (I know you said Alpine already, but it's REALLY worth saying again), Acoustic, Belching Beaver, Mother Earth, Manzanita...and another 40 that are STILL infinitely better than mass produced swill. You could drink at a different micro brewery every day for over 3 months without repeating! San Diego rocks the beer scene

 

I'm sorry...how did Golden Road end up in the same three lines as Alpine, Alesmith, Pizza Port/Lost Abbey, and Ballast Point?

Let alone Noble...

 

at this point i feel the u.s. is so even with quality its not even funny...can you really go wrong with a heady, pliny, pseudo, jai alai, or otwoa?

 

I really wish I were able to take a PNW September sabbatical. I guess I'll have to settle for a January visit.

 

I'll have to respectfully disagree with you on the Bale Breaker stuff. Field 41 is awesome for what it is, I think it's way more of a "session IPA" than anything. As much as the term "session IPA" is kind of marketing gimmickry to me, it works: not balanced enough to be an APA (mega hoppy), and lacking enough body at 4.5% ABV to call an IPA. Now, Topcutter... Damn, that's an IPA. I was burping up concentrated hop essence for quite awhile after getting down on some Topcutter, mmmm great beer.

I just wish Bale Breaker would start expanding and diversifying their lineup! I'm really curious to see what else they're made of besides delicious, delicious hops. Honestly though, if all they ever churned out was Field 41 and Topcutter, I'd still be pretty stoked.

 

Can't we all just get along?

 

For me, I love the smooth drinkability of F41, and find TC too harsh. I'm not much one to tie ABV to style. If it's very hoppy, it's an IPA to me (I've considered SNPA an IPA since I first drank it in the early-mid 90s). However, I think TC tastes very much like HT,so feel free to call my palate names.

 

Showers series

 

You're palate is a big doo doo head!!!

I see where you're coming from. Idk, I have a hard time not tying "IPA" in with ABV since just about everything labeled as an IPA tends to hover in the 6-7% ballpark. That's just me, though. Either way, killer beers.

Here's an interesting tidbit though - just checked their website and they actually have a 3.8% ABV "session IPA" in their taproom. Looks like BB and I definitely have a differing concept of "session"! (Albeit, their definition is more in line with tradition)

 

I don't think they are the BEST... However, I'll be a homer and say that the following Ohio Hoppy brews are very enjoyable...

Columbus:
IPA
Bodhi
Creeper

Fat Heads:
Trailhead (wet hopped variant too)
Headhunter
Hop Juju
Hopstalker

Great Lakes:
Chillwave

Brew Kettle:
White Rajah (Black Rajah too)

Hoppin Frog:
Gangster Frog

 

I definitely don't disagree that the NE has some seriously great brews (besides Gandhi-Bot, which I was pretty unimpressed with), and I would actually cast my vote for your area as well. That said, you missed two of the most important in the Midwest: Surly and Toppling Goliath. I'd gladly put King Sue up against any IIPA from anywhere, and Abrasive is damn near as awesome. Just saying I don't think you can judge the entire region if you ignore (arguably) two of the best there. All of that said, Abner is the best IIPA I've ever had.

Also, I'm not a big fan of Pipeworks. I think they're all hype (I've had many of their top-rated beers, though I would like to try Square Grouper). The best (I)IPAs from any region will be better than PW, in my opinion.

 

I'll jump on the homer band wagon and say Boneyard Notorious is one of my favs!

 

You beat me to it.I'm an imperial stout guy and I really enjoyed a lot on this list and would put Bodhi up against the best

 

The Midwest usually got lost in the shuffle between the two coasts, but I think they're holding their own now. Surly, Toppling Goliath, 3 Floyds, Black Husky... hell, when Dan feels like it, NG can put out a great IIPA (Scream).

That said, the US is definitely the most well-versed in the way of the hop.

 

(Emoji of neck-beard adorned smiley face blowing it's brains out)