Best IPA?
Submitted by Jonny Fullpint on July 19, 2010 – 11:16 am 138 Comments
Hop heads, we would like to know what you think is the best India Pale Ale, also known as IPA. This beer comes in various forms depending on where you live in the world. It is one of the most popular styles at the moment, and seems to be picking up momentum as a commonplace at bars and restaurants. If you have steered away from this style, but are very curious, check out this impressive list, as well as the passionate write-ins below. You might be converted to a hop head before you know it.
Rules
- You can WRITE IN A VOTE FOR A BEER NOT LISTED in the comments section below.
- The beer can’t be an Imperial/Double IPA. Some beers like Stone Ruination or Dogfish Head 90/120 Minute have IPA in the name. They are Imperial, not regular/single IPAs. BA and RB will be used as references if there is a dispute.
- Cast your vote by July 30, 2010 at 5PM PDT.
- If you have trouble casting a vote, please use the Contact feature of our site.
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Best IPA?
- Ballast Point Sculpin IPA (13%, 331 Votes)
- Bell's Two Hearted Ale (11%, 285 Votes)
- Surly Furious (10%, 244 Votes)
- Noble Ale Works IPA (6%, 143 Votes)
- Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA (5%, 127 Votes)
- Russian River Blind Pig (5%, 123 Votes)
- Stone IPA (5%, 122 Votes)
- Avery IPA (5%, 118 Votes)
- Firestone Walker Union Jack (5%, 113 Votes)
- Green Flash West Coast IPA (5%, 113 Votes)
- Smuttynose IPA (4%, 112 Votes)
- Bear Republic Racer 5 (4%, 109 Votes)
- Town Hall Masala Mama IPA (4%, 95 Votes)
- Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA (3%, 66 Votes)
- Deschutes Inversion IPA (3%, 64 Votes)
- Alesmith IPA (2%, 57 Votes)
- Victory Hop Devil (2%, 54 Votes)
- Lagunitas IPA (2%, 49 Votes)
- Cigar City Jai Alai (2%, 38 Votes)
- Karl Strauss Tower 10 (1%, 30 Votes)
- Caldera IPA (1%, 21 Votes)
- New Belgium Ranger IPA (1%, 15 Votes)
- Southern Tier IPA (1%, 14 Votes)
- Founders Harvest Ale (1%, 14 Votes)
- Harpoon IPA (0%, 12 Votes)
- Port Brewing Wipeout (0%, 8 Votes)
- Speak Easy Big Daddy (0%, 5 Votes)
- New Glarus Hop Hearty (0%, 5 Votes)
- Rogue Yellow Snow IPA (0%, 3 Votes)
- BrewDog Punk IPA (0%, 3 Votes)
- Magic Hat Hi.P.A (-1%, 2 Votes)
Total Voters: 2,495
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Sweetwater is my favorite so far
Oops, got here too late to vote but did see somewhere above Ithaca Beer’s “Flower Power” got a mention. It. Is. Excellent!
This is a really nice list of IPAs. I’ve had all but three on the list, and I’ve had most of the others which people have mentioned in their comments. One of the ones I have not had is the Noble Ale Works IPA. A lot of comments mention that one, and it’s currently in the #4 position with almost 150 votes. I looked it up on the beer websites, and it only has four ratings on Rate Beer and one on Beer Advocate. Why does a beer that has almost no ratings on the major beer sites have such an unusually high amount of votes in this poll? I suspect individuals from the brewery and/or their friends have been voting excessively for it. I could be wrong, and perhaps the Noble Ale Works IPA is a legitimately good IPA, but something seems a bit fishy here.
I agree with Sculpin– though somehow I thought it was a DIPA. It has a flavor profile very similar to Pliny The Elder, which has a 1% higher ABV which IS a DIPA. Curious, though, why the very drinkable Ballast Point Big Eye isn’t on the list at all. Was is just one selection per brewery? And I do loves me the Two-Hearted Ale, which I get every time I’m back in the Midwest.
I can’t believe Fulton Brewing’s Sweet Child of Vine hasn’t got a vote yet. Best IPA I’ve ever had!
Bootlegger’s Brewery (Fullerton, CA): Rustic Rye IPA
I’m sure I will be called names, but Moon Man by New Glarus is absolutely DELICIOUS.
1 Ballast Point Sculpin
2 Bells Two Hearted
3 Four Peaks Hop Knot
4 Russian River Blind Pig
Fitgers Brewhouse’ (Duluth) El Nino is one d*mn fine beer and needs serious consideration
Flat Earth’s Northwest Passage!
@bierfesten, at least one beer on that list is a brewpub beer only available in growlers.
Summit IPA needs to be added… it rocks!!!
Great Lakes Comodore Perry, Founder’s Centennial and Boulder’s Mojo in that order…Furious is never a bad idea either.
Alpine is awesome and ODell needs to be on the list!
Love me some Torpedo.
3 Floyds Dreadnaught Imperial IPA
[...] damn good, but I suspect some of you might want to throw your hat in for your favorites. Vote here. [...]
Laurelwood Workhorse IPA
Without a doubt… it’s Mojo IPA all the way!
I voted for Two-Hearted, with Furious, Torpedo, Union Jack and 60 Minute getting serious consideration as well.
as a write-in, I’d like to see Maui Brewing Big Swell IPA, Goose Island IPA and Ska Modus Hoperandi added to the list.
Hangar 24 IPA
Alpine Nelson! Best IPA I have ever had by a good margin, and I’ve had most of this list with the exception of 3-4. Cheers!
Ithaca Flower Power is boss
I cant believe that Pliny the Elder and Hopslam aren’t on here either
Mojo by Boulder Beer is my favorite.
How can this list be compiled without Boulder Beer’s Mojo IPA? Citrusy, sharp and quaffable!
Heavy Seas Loose Cannon
Vortex, Fort George Brewing, OR
Hoppyum, Foothills Brewing, NC
Ninkasi Total Domination IPA (Eugene, OR)
Mojo! From Boulder Beer Co, crisp, clean and delicious!
Sweetwater IPA
Highland Kashmire IPA from Ashville, NC. #1 in my book!
Sweetwater IPA
[...] of note, Ballast Point Sculpin IPA has been nominated in our Best IPA Poll. Follow this link to cast your [...]
Pliny the Elder from Russian River. Voted #1 beer in the US 2 years in a row by Zymurgy. Delightful!
Stone RUINATION!!!!
While Smuttynose makes one of the best IPA’s I’ve ever tasted – #1 on my personal Top 5 list that is, I’m surprised to see that Redhook’s Longhammer IPA didn’t make the cut. Fine example of an IPA.
Boulevard Single Wide IPA
I can’t believe that HeadHunter IPA from Fat Head’s Brewery in Cleveland is not listed. It won the Gold medal at the Bistro’s IPA festival in California. It won best IPA in the Nation in the National IPA competition in the Brewing News, and it was named in Draft Magazine’s top 25 beers in the world. If I can’t vote for Headhunter, I’m not voting. It’s the best!
1. Stone Ruination IPA
2. Thomas Hooker Hop Meadow IPA
Goose Island IPA. The definitive entry in the English-style IPA category.
Birmingham’s Good People Hitchhiker IPA.
Odells IPA.
Mojo IPA by Boulder Beer !
Boulevard’s Single-Wide IPA gets my vote.
Titan IPA from Great Divide and of course Odell IPA!
My vote is Mojo from Boulder Beer
Just got back from an extensive baseball park trip. Tasted MANY IPA’s. Noble IPA beats them all hands down & bottoms up!
Boulders MoJo.
Mojo ipa from Boulder Beer Co
I’m a major hophead and Boulder’s Mountain Sun Brewery’s FYIPA can’t be beat IMHO.
Best IPA I have ever had! No they dont bottle so you have to go to Western Pacific Brewing and Dining. Very simply Chilcoot IPA IS THE BEST!
No Long Hammer IPA from Redhook?
My vote is for the Smuttynose FinestKind. It’s always in the fridge.
But wish I could get a taste of a lot of those west coast brews. Distribution laws being what they are, no dice:(
It is a shame beers these beers were not on the list and were overlooked
Odell-IPA
Great Divide-Titan IPA
Ska-Modus Hoperandi
Ithaca-Flower Power
People who voted for NB-Ranger IPA have yet to try what a real IPA is. That beer can barely pass as an APA. I do not know it made the list
Where is Short’s Huma Lupa?
Single IPA rankings from a hoppy Dead Head:
1. Schlafly A IPA (St Louis)
2. Ska Modus Hoperandi (Durango) in a can!
3. O’Dell IPA (Ft Collins)
4. Bell’s 2-Hearted (Kalamazoo?)
5. Boulevard Singlewide (Kansas City)
6. New Belgium Ranger (Ft Collins)
Does Oskar make a fulltime “single” IPA? I love Gubna and Gordon
Ninkasi Total Domination IPA.
Blue Corn Brewery’s ROAD RUNNER IPA in Santa Fe!!!
Hopworks IPA. Few finer.
Noble Ale Works IPA Quick-go get me some more!
NOBLE ALE WORKS Best IPA & Red out there
Denver’s Great Divide Brewery – Titan IPA.
Too many comments referring to double or imperial IPAs. Read the Rules, please.
I would like to see founders centennial make the list
Founder’s Centennial. Wondering why Harvest Ale is on the poll instead.
Ithaca Flower Power!! It is hands down my fave IPA.. people need to get familiar!!
Marin Brewing Co. IPA
ninkasi total domination ipa eugene, or & laurelwood workhorse ipa portland, or
The best that I have ever had…Odell IPA from Fort Collins Co…just wish they would bring it to California!
Yakima Craft Brewing IPA
+1 Sweetwater IPA
Dreadnaught!!!!!!! Is there any question that it’s the best?
Caldera IPA! Do cans count??
@Robert M — Dreadnaught is a Double IPA.
FFF’s Dreadnaught
I have to say the unlisted, Old schoolhouse brewing, Ruud awaking IPA is the best.
It’s definitely a crime that Odell’s IPA has not been included in this list. Amazing beer.
Ninkasi Total Domination. “Newer” beer in the Northwest market, based out of Eugene, OR. It is fantastic.
Hopworks IPA!!! Love that amazing beer!!!
1. ODell IPA
2. New Belgium Ranger
3. Deschuttes Inversion
Honorable mention – Sierra Nevada Torpedo
Blue Dot is a DIPA! But it definitely is the best DIPA up against Pliny the Elder. It’s a little bit more harsh than Pliny IMO.
Laurelwood Green Mammoth Imperial IPA
Write in vote: Hair of the Dog – Blue Dot
I am sad to say that Root’s Woody IPA was the best! – But, a close second is Fort George!!!!
Odell IPA. The best I have had yet.
Odell IPA!!!
Boulder Beer Mojo IPA
Hopworks Urban Brewery IPA.
Russian River’s Blind Pig followed up by Alesmith’s IPA. For the money, Lagunitas IPA is definitely the way to go – best standby/don’t have much money on you IPA. I thought Torpedo was closer to a DIPA…? Celebration’s better anyhow.
Ska Modus Hoperandi
Blue Corn Brewery Roadrunner IPA. Was in the top 8 in the NIPAC this year.
Black Raven Trickster IPA.
I just love the creations over at Lagunitas Brewing. Their IPA is outstanding cold and very good if for some reason it warms up. Two thumbs up!
Best beer in the world – Lagunitas IPA (Locals pronounce it “eye-puh”, as in, “You ready for another eye-puh?
The smell is amazing and the taste is delicious…yummy!
Dogfish Head 90 minute IPA
Noble Ale Works IPA! More than just a beer, it’s a way of life.
Be Noble!
Eel River Brewing Company’s IPA!! As an English-style IPA it isn’t as hoppy as some of the California and westcoast IPAs. It’s more well-balanced and quite tasty
Noble Ale’s IPA should get “rookie of the year” or something equivalent…very good IPA – check it out!!!
1st – Noble Ale Works hands down my fave!
2nd – Bear Republic Racer 5!!!
3rd – Green Flash West coast!
I love Noble IPA with my frickin chips…. Kip
This Nobel Beer is the best IPA us Oklahoman’s ever drank. That’s sayin a lot cos we drink a lot!
Big fan of Noble IPA and Noble Red!
Noble Ale Works IPA…..
Two Brothers Resistance IPA
Noble Ale Works IPA gets my vote!
I recently had Noble’s IPA and it’s so good I thought I was serving for her majesty in India!
@Travis That will be considered your write in vote for Noble Ale.
If Noble Ale was on the list that would get my vote. Thats stuffs so good I put it on my breakfast cereal in the morning!
Noble Ale Works IPA!!
how About MIDNIGHT SUN SOCKEYE RED IPA ?
THats my vote..
Red Racer IPA from Central City
why isn’t noble ale works ipa on this list? that stuff is insane!!
Noble Ale Works IPA. The Best!!!
noble ale works IPA
Noble Ale’s IPA has done me right too! Two votes since I’m double fisting…
Ithaca Flower Power IPA
I’d put Founders’ Centennial IPA up against any IPA in the country. That’s a phenomenal lineup though – I think I’d survive if I had to choose from your list.
ODELL IPA ! How could you leave this off. It won gold at GABF…and is awesome.
Boulder Beer Mojo IPA
Ithaca’s Flower Power IPA
[...] Hey hop heads, vote for the best IPA (TheFullPint.com) [...]
Ballast Point Sculpin IPA ROCKS ALL!!!!! I love living in San Diego!!!!
Laurelwood Workhorse IPA.
Schlafly’s A-IPA (not their APA), is one of my top favorites. Hard to choose. Your list is good so far! So many great hoppy IPA’s, now if I could only get my hands on more of them!!
Hoptical Illusion from Blue Point Brewing Co
Kona Brewing’s Castaway IPA! It is only available on draft at their two brew pubs, but excellent nonetheless. I wish others could be lucky enough to try this exceptionally great beer. Sadly, this will probably its only vote. But whatever, it’s freakin’ great!
not a bad list to choose from…but it is incomplete…with out an “ipa”..from “iron springs brewery” in fairfax ca(“casey jones ipa” & their “crippla” come to mind)…they are making the best beer in the bay area..and i visit’em all..cheers!!
Where is the 90 Minute?!?!? Just go back up there and flip the 6 upside down. I ain’t askin for 120 min. just the 90. Do it!
Alpine Nelson is not listed but absolutely my choice.
Boundary Bay IPA is one of my favorites, but the brewpub in Washington doesn’t sell out of the state unfortunately.
Kern River Just Outstanding
@brian – if you would like to write in a beer that is not on the list you can do it right here in the comments section.
Raging Bitch is a Belgian IPA.
My vote for Alpine Nelson.
where do I write in my vote?
How about Sweetwater IPA? Far too under rated and kicks the crap out of quite a few of the beers on that list.
Where is Raging Bitch? Bitch gets my vote.
Stone’s IPA got my vote! Love that stuff. Any particular reason you left out Stone Cali-Belgique?
Noble Ale Works IPA