Top 41 IPAs
IPAs. All craft beer lovers have an opinion about them, and all craft breweries make one. They’re hopped-up, bitter and delightfully ubiquitous; the staples of the modern craft beer scene.
With so many different options saturating the market, it’s hard not to get a little fatigued with the innumerable options. The style itself is so popular that the Beer Judge Certification Program has splintered the category into a kaleidoscope of colors and descriptors. Instead of just an American IPA, brewers can now make Session IPA, Red IPA, Black IPA, Belgian IPA, Double IPA, etc. You get it. IPAs are everywhere.
Anchor Liberty Ale, the granddaddy of them all.
However, some IPAs are better than others. Sure, you pretty much know what you’re going to get when you crack one open, but chances are you have some personal favorites, as well as some you think are inferior to those favorites.
We too, have our favorites, and they are all represented here in this list. In honor of the 41st year that Anchor Brewing’s Liberty Ale (debatably the first modern American IPA) has been in production, I present to you: the top 41 IPAs The Beer Connoisseur has reviewed!
(Disclaimer #1: I’m sure there are hundreds, perhaps thousands more IPAs out there that we have not reviewed, but for this list, I’ve stuck with ones that we have an actual opinion on.)
(Disclaimer #2: This list does not delineate between American IPA, Double IPA or Specialty IPA since this is a celebration of all IPAs -- hence the title of "Top 41 IPAs" not "Top 41 American IPAs," "Top 41 Double IPAs," or Top 41 Session IPAs." Cheers!)
#41
95
by Michael Heniff
Hoppyright Infringement
NOLA Brewing Co.
Featuring one of the best beer names on this entire list, Hoppyright Infringement from NOLA Brewing Co. in New Orleans is a New England-style DIPA that's double dry hopped with Centennial, Equinox, Mosaic and Citra hops.
#40
95
by Randy Scorby
Stone 21st Anniversary: Hail to the Hop Thief
Stone Brewing Co.
This Double IPA was brewed in honor of Stone Brewing's 21st Anniversary and employs the rarely used Pekko hop varietal. Unfiltered and brewed with wheat malt, this complex DIPA continues Stone's unparalleled IPA brewing tradition.
#39
95
by John C. Tull
Greenhouse IPA
Hops and Grain Brewery
#38
95
by Pete Garofalo
Hopothermia
Alaskan Brewing Co.
#37
95
by Joseph Formanek
3rd Anniversary Ale
Roughtail Brewing Company
A delightful hop bomb brewed with an immense hop bill of Citra, Galaxy and El Dorado varietals, this yummy DIPA was brewed to celebrate Roughtail Brewing Co.'s 3rd Anniversary out of Oklahoma City.
#36
95
by Sal Mortillaro II
Reviver Red IPA
Starr Hill Brewery
Virginia's Starr Hill Brewery knocked it out of the park with this rare Red IPA that exemplifies the style in almost every way, with a strong malt bill intertwining with a hefty dosage of hops.
#35
95
by Tracy Hensley
Suicide Squeeze IPA
Fort George Brewery
#34
95
by Owen Ogletree
Hop Hunter IPA
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Sierra Nevada is known for heavily-hopped creations, and Hop Hunter IPA, which debuted in 2015, is no exception. The first beer to be brewed with distilled hop oils, Hop Hunter is a massive rush of dank and juicy tropical hop aromas and flavors. I’ll always be cravin’ this hunter.
#33
95
by Nelson Crowle
DirtWolf
Victory Brewing Co.
Unassuming name, powerhouse beverage: Victory's DirtWolf Double IPA has been a stalwart of the style since its inception in 2013. A howlingly impressive hop profile headlined by Mosaic, Simcoe and Citra, this Wolf is here to stay.
#32
95
by Nelson Crowle
Grapefruit Sculpin
Ballast Point Brewing & Spirits
Fruited IPAs have become something of a trend, and this is one of the best. The nose emits astonishingly spot-on fruit aromas, and the flavor follows suit – the base IPA and grapefruit flavors intermingle gorgeously.
#31
95
by Randy Scorby
MoonJuice IPA
SanTan Brewing Co.
#30
95
by Nelson Crowle
Apex
Bear Republic Brewing Co.
#29
95
by Richard Wong
Mad Hatter
New Holland Brewing Co.
The beer is as stellar as the name, with light yet highly aromatic citrus and peach notes, born of the Galaxy and Nelson Sauvin hopping. The malt base is equally light while remaining firm enough to provide a fine platform with which to fully savor the bounty of some of the year’s biggest hop stars.
#28
95
by Sal Mortillaro II
Luau Krunkles
Terrapin Beer Co.
This tropical breeze in a can comes courtesy of Terrapin Beer Co. in Athens, Georgia and is infused with a heaping helping of passion fruit, guava and orange. A delightful fruited IPA.
#27
95
by Michael Heniff
Decadent Imperial IPA
Ska Brewing Co.
#26
Captain’s Daughter
Grey Sail Brewing of Rhode Island
Rhode Island, the smallest state in the union, makes one of the biggest Double IPAs around. Grey Sail Brewing’s Captain’s Daughter is a terrific canned DIPA with a nose full of lemon, papaya and pine. Light grassiness in the flavor along with dense, hop-derived dankness make this a standout DIPA that’s worth walking the plank for.
#25
95
by Phil Farrell
Hop Drop N Roll
NoDa Brewing Co.
Piney with a hint of hay and grass aroma, this perfectly resinous IPA balances mild, clean malt with grapefruit and melon. Crisp and refreshing for its 7.2 percent.
#24
95
by Phil Farrell
Whiter Shade of Pale
Starr Hill Brewery
#23
95
by Dan Preston
Alter Ego
Tree House Brewing Co.
The first of two Tree House Brewing IPAs to make this list, Alter Ego's sumptuous blend of Mosaic and Amarillo hops makes for a massive punch of citrus in this hazy, New England-style IPA.
#22
All Day IPA
Founders Brewing Co.
Just as the name indicates, this beer strikes a perfect balance between flavor and drinkability. A true Session IPA in the sense that it does not sacrifice flavor for lower ABV.
#21
Hop Stoopid
Lagunitas Brewing Co.
Described as a “hop minefield,” this 102 IBU hop bomb is tempered with a subtle balance of sweet, light malts that allow the hops to shine without completely blinding you. And the head is incredibly billowy.
#20
96
by Phil Farrell
Extended Play
Lakefront Brewery
#19
96
by Nelson Crowle
Habanero Sculpin
Ballast Point Brewing & Spirits
#18
96
by Josh Weikert
Blast!
Brooklyn Brewery
#17
96
by Tracy Hensley
Big Guns
Fort George Brewery
As the highest-rated Session IPA on this list, Fort George Brewery's Big Guns sports a blend of Nugget, Meridian and Mosaic hops with a miniscule 4.2 percent alcohol content -- perfect for beachfront or poolside imbibing.
#16
96
by Phil Farrell
Two Hearted Ale
Bell's Brewery
Crisp, clean, biscuity, and checking the entire spectrum of hop flavors, this gem is a gateway IPA any connoisseur can be proud of drinking. And as Bell’s most widely-available offering, it’s almost guaranteed to be super fresh.
#15
96
by Randy Scorby
Moirai India Pale Ale
Fate Brewing Co.
#14
96
by Phil Farrell
Cali-Belgique
Stone Brewing Co.
#13
96
by Nelson Crowle
Mach 10
Bear Republic Brewing Co.
#12
96
by Tracy Hensley
Duet
Alpine Beer Co.
Duet is a reference to the “harmonious” balance of Simcoe and Amarillo hops present in the beer, which provide top-shelf aroma with only mild bitterness. Structured beautifully, with a slight creaminess and a hint of alcohol heat, it is the embodiment of a West Coast IPA.
#11
96
by Joseph Formanek
Unsessionable
Revolution Brewing
#10
96
by Phil Farrell
Tropicália
Creature Comforts Brewing Co.
The juiciest IPA to ever come out of Georgia, Tropicália has been reaping plaudits from anyone and everyone that has tried it since its debut in cans in early 2015 – including our expert judges. An abundance of tropical fruit flavors (guava, mango, orange) couple with a toasty malt backbone with hints of caramel to create a lush, nuanced and well-balanced IPA.
#9
Modus Hoperandi
Ska Brewing Co.
#8
96
by Jason Johnson
Todd the Axe Man
Surly Brewing Co.
While 3 Floyds Brewing tends to rock some of the most “metal” beers around, Surly’s Todd the Axe Man is a one-man show of an IPA. Featuring maximal flavor from minimal ingredients, Axe Man only requires Citra and Mosaic hops and Golden Promise malt to provide an IPA rock opera for the ages.
#7
96
by Mike Castagno
Rare Trait
Cerebral Brewing
This New-England Style IPA showcases all the striking haziness and immense hop quotient that one would expect of the style, as Azacca, El Dorado, Mosaic, Citra and Columbus hops express the finest hop aromas and flavors imaginable. A delightful Denver favorite.
#6
96
by Joseph Formanek
Hopslam
Bell's Brewery
Generally regarded as one of the finest DIPAs in the land, our expert judges mostly agreed with that assessment. A pungent, thunderous hop character assails the nostrils, but is tempered by a soft, creamy mouthfeel courtesy of the honey used during the brewing process.
#5
Sculpin
Ballast Point Brewing & Spirits
You thought Sculpin would only make our list twice? Think again! An all-time classic beer, Sculpin practically wrote the book on resinous, tropical West Coast-style IPAs. It is still a benchmark beer for any brewery that makes IPAs (i.e. any brewery anywhere) or any person who calls themselves an IPA connoisseur.
#4
97
by Pat Mulloy
The Partner Ships Series: Stone Brewing Co.
Heavy Seas Beer
A fascinating style combination from two heavy hitters in the craft beer sphere, this Imperial Brown IPA brewed with blackstrap molasses is a sticky, sweet IPA delight of the highest degree.
#3
97
by Rick Franckhauser
Santilli
Night Shift Brewing
A better example of an American IPA is almost impossible to find: Night Shift Brewing's Santilli continues to expand the New England Style IPA into the collective craft beer consciousness. Bright and fresh in flavor and slightly hazy and golden in appearance, this is a stunning example of the evolution that the American IPA style has undergone in recent years.
#2
98
by Phil Farrell
Wookey Jack
Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
As our highest-rated Specialty IPA, the pine is strong with Wookey Jack – in the best way possible. This Double Black Rye IPA sets a delightfully complex, smoky-sweet malt base tempered by sharp Pacific Northwest hops, making for a journey as unique and mysterious as the Wookey itself.
#1
99
by Dan Preston
King JJJuliusss
Tree House Brewing Co.
A transcendent example of a supremely limited release living up to sky-high expectations, this Double IPA from Tree House Brewing Co. in Monson, Massachusetts is a white wale of the highest degree. An orgy of passion fruit, mango, orange, citrus fruit and pineapple aromas and flavors greets any craft drinker lucky enough to get his or her hands on this extremely rare release. As the highest-rated IPA in The Beer Connoisseur's history, King JJJuliuss stakes its claim to the history books with a near-perfect score of 99.
Check out all of our other IPA reviews, and share this article with the button at the top of the page. Cheers!
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