Well Balanced IPA

yes Yes YES YES!!!!!
Seriously though, if you have this IPA first it will set the standard for no-frills IPAs.
I've always found two-hearted to be the best straight up IPA. Solid to the core.

 

They are fun to make and see other people's opinions though.

 

I think my definition of a "balanced" beer must be different than most because I do not consider any world-class American IPA (like Two Hearted) to be balanced. It is heavily tilted toward its hop profile, as it should be.

 

Another vote for the Sweetwater IPA, it should be easy for you to find.

 

I think people consider Two Hearted "balanced" because while it's certainly hoppy, it somehow has more body than its drier, sometimes more biscuity West Coast cousins. It's not malt-forward like some other (vastly inferior) IPAs, but something about it has more body or balance. I think it's a great gateway IPA for people who might not be ready for something like Ruination or Alpine Duet/Nelson/Pure Hoppiness etc.

Two Hearted was also the first beer that came to my mind when I read the OP.

 

I've always thought of Deschutes Inversion IPA as a well balanced IPA...so that would be my recommendation for you.

 

To me, this answer is always quenched by Finestkind or Two Hearted.

 

If I had to guess, I'd say it's the proprietary yeast strain Bells uses that imparts this character. I'd also venture to say that Two Hearted is a hop-forward beer by any measurement.

 

I don't mean balanced as in malts vs. hops. It's definitely hop forward, but it's not really aggressive or has a brutal bitterness like most top-notch IPAs, IMO. To me it's insanely crisp and it literally drinks like water. There's really something special and unique about that beer..

 

A well balanced IPA is called a APA.

 

Stone IPA

 

And if your aunt had balls she'd be your uncle.

There are times the you must view a term in context of the conversation. To say balance is what separates APAs and IPAs is a bit misleading. There can be very balanced IPAs just as there can be unbalanced APAs.

 

Not that it's all that unbalanced, but Dale's Pale Ale (to me, anyway) seems to have an identity crisis. Kinda skates around on the thin ice between APA & IPA.

 

Oops.

 

Oskar Blues has said flat out that Dales is an IPA, but they named it Dales Pale Ale because it sounds better than Dales IPA.

 

Ya and and if your sister had a dick she'd be your brother but that does not make it true to style... I just assume that is someone wants a great balanced IPA they would have much more luck with APA's... Way more balance in that style..... I think someone has been doin a bit to much in depth thinking.

 

Agreed, those would surely be two of my picks . . . in fact, enjoying Torpedo at this very present moment.

 

have the people who are saying a well balanced ipa is a pale ale ever had troegs perpetual? if so i am curious of your opinions.

although the label does say imperial pale ale

 

Celebration by Sierra Neveda comes to mind. It's a seasonal, though. Comes out during winter, maybe a little before. I would also suggest green flash's west coast ipa.

 

Nah. Those some would be American. And GF West Coast is far from what the OP looking for, as is Racer 5. Talk about skewed interpretations...
OP, look into English IPAs--that's what you want. A "good representation of the style" can be found in Samuel Smiths. Almost everything in this thread so far is an American IPA which is seldom balanced (not saying that's good or bad, just a cultural thing). Some are, though they're rare.
In the realm of American IPAs, and since you're a southern lad, I'd 2nd the suggestion of Sweetwater and Terrapin. Their standard IPAs are good, and Terrapin's rye pale is phenomenal although may be too astringent for what you're looking for. If you can find Troegs down there check some of their stuff too. In the off chance that you can find some Blue Mountain Full Nelson grab it in a heartbeat. It's labeled a pale, but it's one of the best beers you will find in the east for balance.

I thought this comment was asinine at first, but the more I think about it you may be right. But only because Americans can't take their foot off the accelerator.
It;s OK to have balance.