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Top 47 IPAs
Our highest-rated and overall best India Pale Ales including Hazy IPAs, Double IPAs, Session IPAs, Black IPAs, Belgian IPAs and more!
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 Hazy IPA, Session IPA, Red IPA, Black IPA, Belgian IPA, Double IPA, etc. You get it. IPAs are everywhere.
Anchor Liberty Ale, the granddaddy of all IPAs.
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 47th year that Anchor Brewing’s Liberty Ale (debatably the first modern American IPA) has been in production, I present to you: the Top 47 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 47 IPAs" not "Top 47 American IPAs," "Top 47 Double IPAs," or Top 47 Session IPAs." Cheers!)
#47
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.
#46
95
by Dan Martich
Weekend Vibes IPA
Coronado Brewing Co.
#45
95
by Dan Martich
Sticky Icky Icky
Short's Brewing Co.
#44
95
by Joseph Formanek
Juice Above the Clouds
Altamont Beer Works
#43
95
by Tracy Hensley
Suicide Squeeze IPA
Fort George Brewery
#42
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.
#41
95
by Tracy Hensley
Digital Bath
Belching Beaver Brewery
Have you ever had a shower beer? What about a bath beer? Belching Beaver Brewery answers this question in the affirmative with this delectable American IPA brewed with five seminal hop varietals: Citra, Galaxy, Mosaic, Nelson and Simcoe Cryo. Now that's clean.
#40
95
by Sal Mortillaro II
Samuel Adams Wicked Easy
The Boston Beer Co.
#39
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.
#38
95
by Rodney A. Tillinghast
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.
#37
95
by Nelson Crowle
Mirror Universe
Fair State Brewing Cooperative
#36
95
by Brian Eichhorn
Heady Topper
The Alchemist
A pioneering, classic brew that has spawned legions of imitators looking to improve upon the ultra-hoppy flavor and ultra-hazy appearance of this Vermont IPA. However, some would argue that perfection cannot be improved upon, and it must be admitted that this still holds up as a preeminent hazy Double IPA.
#35
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.
#34
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.
#33
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.
#32
96
by Phil Farrell
Extended Play
Lakefront Brewery
#31
96
by Richard Wong
Juicy Harvest
Upland Brewing Co.
#30
96
by Nelson Crowle
Habanero Sculpin
Ballast Point Brewing & Spirits
#29
96
by Josh Weikert
Blast!
Brooklyn Brewery
#28
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.
#27
96
by Dan Martich
Feasta
Väsen Brewing Co.
#26
96
by Joseph Formanek
Jockamo Juicy IPA
Abita Brewing Co.
A lively, lovely IPA, this offering from Abita in New Orleans showcases a citrusy, juicy variant of the omnipresent IPA. With a blend of Citra, Apollo and Experimental hops, this blend truly defines “juiciness.”
#25
96
by Randy Scorby
Moirai India Pale Ale
Fate Brewing Co.
#24
96
by Phil Farrell
Cali-Belgique
Stone Brewing Co.
#23
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.
#22
96
by Nelson Crowle
Mach 10
Bear Republic Brewing Co.
#21
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.
#20
96
by Joseph Formanek
Unsessionable
Revolution Brewing
#19
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.
#18
96
by Brad Darnell
Jet Black Scream
Gnarly Barley Brewing Co.
Black IPAs are becoming rarer these days, but Gnarly Barley in Hammond, Louisiana is keeping the dream alive with this world-class offering, which features a blissful combination of Amarillo, Centennial and Cryo Citra hops with a robust malt bill of Two-Row, Crystal and Midnight Wheat. Rich and rewarding, this IPA hits the spot for dark beer fans and IPA fans.
#17
Modus Hoperandi
Ska Brewing Co.
#16
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.
#15
96
by Michael Heniff
Juicy Bits
WeldWerks Brewing Co.
#14
96
by Sean Coughlin
Too Pure To Be Pink
Wild Leap Brew Co.
#13
96
by Randy Scorby
Lupulin River
Knee Deep Brewing Co.
#12
96
by Sal Mortillaro II
Tunnel Vision DDH w/Citra
Bearded Iris Brewing
Watch out! Imbibe too many of these beautiful hazy IPAs and you might get Tunnel Vision! This sterling example of a modern and hazy American IPA features a pillowy mouthfeel and gushes forth with juicy and citrusy aromas.
#11
96
by Nelson Crowle
Kiwi Double IPA
Lawson's Finest Liquids
#10
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.
#9
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.
#8
96
by Randy Scorby
Alpha Abstraction, Vol. 15
Wild Leap Brew Co.
Wild Leap Brew Co. in LaGrange, Georgia might be best known for this series of gorgeously hoppy Double IPAs. While they are uniformly wonderful, this is the best of the bunch according to our judges. “Intense mixed tropical fruit with light resin, and spicy, pungent hops take center stage initially with a light candy-like residual sweetness and bready malt following behind,” is how our judge described it and that pretty much sums it up. Amazing work from our 2021 Brewery of the Year.
#7
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.
#6
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.
#5
97
by Graham L. Barron
Haze
Tree House Brewing Co.
A pioneering hazy Double IPA, this lush and tropical DIPA from Tree House Brewing Co. typifies the tremendous style elements of this popular IPA style.
#4
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.
#3
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.
#2
98
by Pat Mulloy
Hazy Sabro IPA
pFriem Family Brewers
The highest-scoring IPA from the Greatest Brewery of All Time stands as a stunning achievement in less is more. The name states exactly what it is, and the beer delivers on that factual name with flavor that’s astounding and a perfect balance between hops and malt (remember those in IPAs?). In a world where envelope-pushing is the norm, this beer is happy to be perfect in its field.
#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!
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