WCIPAs in Boston?

The flavor at first is OK, but overall I found it very syrupy and sweet, completely lacking the dry bitter finish. To be honest I haven't been overly thrilled with Lamplighter at all. Birds of a Feather, Major Tom, and Rabbit Rabbit were all nice, but had too many mehs and a couple of outright bads (this one, and the porter), that I stopped buying them.

Ah, yes, good call. This is a damn fine beer.

 

If you can find Resilience Serra, it is an incredible beer. I buy it every time I see it now.

 

Where in the Boston area are you going to be moving?
Maine and Fiddlehead are pretty common here, but Focal is not - they've been doing some drops of Alchemist beer over the summer and fall, but it's tough to catch. However, once things are open, a couple hour ride will get you to, say, Brattleboro VT, where it should be available.
ALso, I would say some of the OG breweries like Harpoon have clear IPAs, Wachusett has a great one, among many others. Even though the hazy thing is king right now, (and there are brewers making a career so far out of a dozen hazies only distinguishble by name) there's plenty of clear IPAs, among others.

 

https://untappd.com/b/resilience-brewing-serra/3718502

 

Ah, another one. Medusa's Ruction is a solid old school IPA. Not sure you'll see it around Boston, but Medusa is about 40 mins west of Boston, an easy stop if heading to TH or something, and they do a lot of nice classic styles. One of the better all around breweries, in my opinion. I especially like their ESB and their czech pils.

 

Lamplighter's Cloud City was one of the better IPAs I've had this year. It uses all strata hops, which I like a lot. But it was also a really drinkable NEIPA. I agree they can be hit or miss. I was real excited for Major Tom since it's galaxy hops, but was kind of a let down.

 

Great North Aleworks IPA is a fantastic tale on the WCIPA. Easy to get in the area as well.

 

Second Fiddle and Sip of Sunshine could fall into this category as well

 

Figure out where you need to commute to. Being north, south, or west of the city will have a major impact on your work/life balance if either of you needs to be in the city every day.

 

You're right about Tendril. It is in no way a WCIPA. Santilli on the other hand has been tweaked gradually over time and now looks and drinks like a WCIPA. They call it an American IPA, but it's bright and bitter, so definitely not a NEIPA.

 

Santilli is definitely a unique creation. Haven’t had one in ages. Maybe time I revisit.

 

Nice thread. I often crave a nice bitter west coast IPA, and typically just grab Sierra Nevada or something like Racer 5 if I can find it fresh.

Locally-ish, I echo the Lawson's suggestions, particularly Hopzilla and Chinooker'd... crazy to say but those are basically "west coast" now compared to many of the other suggestions.

Proclamation Tendril, in its current form, isn't close to a WCIPA for me. That said, it was clear and more bitter a few years back... now it's just a haze bomb.

A couple other things I haven't seen mentioned that lean towards west coast for my palate:

Shaidzon Never Tomorrow (they also make killer lagers)
Fox Farm Refluent (check these guys out for their lagers too)

 

I would probably put Wachusett Larry as a wc DIPA. Can I get a second?

And I echo the sentiments on both Notch and Cambridge Brewing Company - both make really authentic beers to various styles that can’t be beat.

And you’ll want to keep an eye open for NERAX which usually happens in the spring. Real ales served on cask and gravity dispensers for a full week. Man I want this virus to end for nerax alone...

 

El Segundo can scratches the itch and can be picked up in various places.

Otherwise just guzzle Sip of Sunshine available all over. Is it West Coast? Not really. But it has been called the Pliny of the East.

 

Agreed on NERAX - I've been going for about 20 years. It's by far my favorite fest.
There isn't much as far as traditional IPAs there, WC, NE or otherwise - though I had Hill Farmstead Edward a couple years ago - it didn't happen last year - and it was great, being fresh tapped.

 

Go to the car and torpe'ed to the shack
Of Shaheed, "We gotta go back"
When he said "Why?" I said, "We gotta go
'Cause I left my wallet in El Segundo

 

Do we consider G Bot by NEBCO a WCIPA? Definitely pours clear with a very piney finish, but still has a tropical punch to put it in the hybrid category for me. Still absolutely fantastic and worth seeking out.

 

Just remember, north station and south station are not connected.