General Malaise
Footballguy
This is a thread dedicated to IPA Beer. More to the point, drinkable and affordable IPAs - a Session IPA if you will. If you're a lager guy or you prefer heavy stouts, this might not be the best place for you, but ALL input welcome.
I haven't sampled them all so this is limited to my experience - I would love for others to chime in with their favorite IPA from {insert US state name here}.
To start, I'm going to go with my home state - Oregon. IMO, the best, most drinkable and the greatest value out there is Boneyard RPM from Bend, Oregon. It's my go-to at home and on tap if it's at a bar or restaurant. The beer is delicious, start to finish with no lingering, punishing after-taste that comes with some of the hoppy IPAs brewed in the great beer producing state of Oregon. Currently, 12-packs are being sold for under $20 regularly and a six-pack at Trader Joes is $10.99. There's not a better IPA value out there, in my mind.
Two thumbs ENTHUSIASTCIALLY up for Boneyard RPM IPA. https://boneyardbeer.com/cdn/shop/files/RPM-12ozCan.webp?v=1715719680
Up next, a neighboring state.....stay tuned.
ETA: I'd also like to consider the design of the bottle/can for this. Hard to top Boneyard RPM for design work.
Moving south to the great state of California, which - if you've ever driving through it length wise, ain't so great in many parts. But the parts that are great are fantastic, especially up north if you visit the amazing Redwoods. It was there that I discovered Lost Coast IPA from Eureka, CA. Is it the best beer California has to offer? No. But I was able to find it in almost every store for a reasonable price and it's crisp, refreshing and goes down smoothly. At 6.5% ABV it packs a little bit of a punch but won't put you out or make you fight your relatives. I was delighted when I went to a convenience store in Eugene, OR and found a 12 pack of Lost Coast which I took back to my son's apartment and shared with him and his roommates and friends. They are now fans too! The can design could be better, but it's easy to spot in the beer fridge which is an important feature for guys like me who have trouble locating things at stores....or anywhere else for that matter.
As I move left to right from Oregon to Idaho, it was the summer of 2020 and COVID had essentially shut most everything down. Well, most everything with the exception of the state of Idaho, where COVID wasn't viewed in the same light and masks were about as common as a Cowboys' fan in Philadelphia. Staying near the town of McCall, I stumbled upon an IPA from Sockeye Brewing out of Boise and became an immediate fan of their Dagger Falls IPA. The design work isn't great - the fish looks like something a kid might draw for a fantasy football website - but the beer is splendid. Another 6.5% ABV offering which might just be my sweet spot. If you're enjoying more than one, this is a fine choice.
As I look up from Oregon, the state of Washington looks back down on me and while I think our state has the better beers, there's no shame in Washington's game. Now this next beer is a fun one - well, fun for anybody who was a fan of the original Point Break movie with Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze. If you stumble upon an orange can of beer from Georgetown Brewing in Seattle, chances are you're holding a Bodhizafa IPA named after Swayze's character from the film. Now just look at this can! Is this thing awesome or what? The beer is a little pricier than I would like, but Trader Joes sells it for $11.99 a six and that's fine by me. It's a terrific adult beverage though a little higher on the alcohol side than my other selections at 6.9%. But if I'm cheating on my home state, I'm cheating with a Bohdi because who in their right mind would turn down the great Patrick Swayze in his prime?
Alright, let's get to Arizona, where I spent 11 days this past summer and on top of now knowing what it will feel like to be cremated, I was able to numb some of the pain with several Hop Knot IPAs from Four Peaks. They were easy to find, affordable and on a scorching hot July day by the pool, they go down smooth and easy, offering refreshment with a kick. 6.7% so right in line of where I like to live and while the design work is pretty basic, I love the colors. It's kind of nice knowing precisely what I'll order the next time I'm in Woz and Bobby Sac's backyard. No hesitation needed, one Hop Knot, please. Super duper cold!
Say, you know who has two thumbs and got to spend 10 days in December in the tropics of Michigan? THIS GUY!
Actually, it wasn't too bad; the weather wasn't as bad as it could have been, so that was nice. Even better was being able to enjoy many Bell's Two Hearted IPAs, a beer I've been a fan of ever since my wife started dragging me to her home state. Some will prefer the Founders over Bell's IPA but not me. In fact, I'd say Bell's Two Hearted could compete with anything Oregon has to offer from a large scale produced IPA. And the can/bottle? Best one out there, IMO. Beautiful color and that fish is menacing looking, like he's about to rip your lungs out, Jim. At 7% ABV it is a touch on the higher end for me, but I don't feel overly impacted by it. Just a delicious beer start to finish and the cost is right too. On occasion, I'll find it out here in Oregon, but the stores price gouge it. Still, I'd put this drinkable IPA up against just about any in the country.
Memories are a little fuzzy, but I *THINK* I went to Half Acre Brewery with @Aaron Rudnicki followed by some late night antics at my friends condo near Wrigley. My wife and two older boys took the train from Pontiac to Chicago to check the city out and man, WHAT A CITY. I fell in love with Chicago and can't wait to go back. For when I do, I'm going to find Bodem IPA in a tall can and enjoy a fine Illinois IPA. Great design, delicious beer, very easy to drink at 6.7%. And because I didn't know, I searched out the word "Bodem" and learned it means ground, or more specifically, the solid surface of the earth. Which makes sense for a brewery named "Half Acre". Between the food, culture, beer and people, Chicago is just an amazing city.
Updated List:
Oregon - Boneyard RPM IPA, Bend, OR
California - Lost Coast Brewery IPA, Eureka, CA
Idaho - Dagger Falls IPA by Sockeye Brewing, Boise, ID
Washington - Bodhizafa IPA from Georgetown Brewing Company, Seattle, WA
Arizona - Hop Knot IPA from Four Peaks, Tempe, AZ
Michigan - Bell's Two Hearted IPA, Kalamazoo, MI
Illinois - Bodem IPA, Half Acre Brewery, Chicago, IL
I haven't sampled them all so this is limited to my experience - I would love for others to chime in with their favorite IPA from {insert US state name here}.
To start, I'm going to go with my home state - Oregon. IMO, the best, most drinkable and the greatest value out there is Boneyard RPM from Bend, Oregon. It's my go-to at home and on tap if it's at a bar or restaurant. The beer is delicious, start to finish with no lingering, punishing after-taste that comes with some of the hoppy IPAs brewed in the great beer producing state of Oregon. Currently, 12-packs are being sold for under $20 regularly and a six-pack at Trader Joes is $10.99. There's not a better IPA value out there, in my mind.
Two thumbs ENTHUSIASTCIALLY up for Boneyard RPM IPA. https://boneyardbeer.com/cdn/shop/files/RPM-12ozCan.webp?v=1715719680
Up next, a neighboring state.....stay tuned.
ETA: I'd also like to consider the design of the bottle/can for this. Hard to top Boneyard RPM for design work.
Moving south to the great state of California, which - if you've ever driving through it length wise, ain't so great in many parts. But the parts that are great are fantastic, especially up north if you visit the amazing Redwoods. It was there that I discovered Lost Coast IPA from Eureka, CA. Is it the best beer California has to offer? No. But I was able to find it in almost every store for a reasonable price and it's crisp, refreshing and goes down smoothly. At 6.5% ABV it packs a little bit of a punch but won't put you out or make you fight your relatives. I was delighted when I went to a convenience store in Eugene, OR and found a 12 pack of Lost Coast which I took back to my son's apartment and shared with him and his roommates and friends. They are now fans too! The can design could be better, but it's easy to spot in the beer fridge which is an important feature for guys like me who have trouble locating things at stores....or anywhere else for that matter.
As I move left to right from Oregon to Idaho, it was the summer of 2020 and COVID had essentially shut most everything down. Well, most everything with the exception of the state of Idaho, where COVID wasn't viewed in the same light and masks were about as common as a Cowboys' fan in Philadelphia. Staying near the town of McCall, I stumbled upon an IPA from Sockeye Brewing out of Boise and became an immediate fan of their Dagger Falls IPA. The design work isn't great - the fish looks like something a kid might draw for a fantasy football website - but the beer is splendid. Another 6.5% ABV offering which might just be my sweet spot. If you're enjoying more than one, this is a fine choice.
As I look up from Oregon, the state of Washington looks back down on me and while I think our state has the better beers, there's no shame in Washington's game. Now this next beer is a fun one - well, fun for anybody who was a fan of the original Point Break movie with Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze. If you stumble upon an orange can of beer from Georgetown Brewing in Seattle, chances are you're holding a Bodhizafa IPA named after Swayze's character from the film. Now just look at this can! Is this thing awesome or what? The beer is a little pricier than I would like, but Trader Joes sells it for $11.99 a six and that's fine by me. It's a terrific adult beverage though a little higher on the alcohol side than my other selections at 6.9%. But if I'm cheating on my home state, I'm cheating with a Bohdi because who in their right mind would turn down the great Patrick Swayze in his prime?
Alright, let's get to Arizona, where I spent 11 days this past summer and on top of now knowing what it will feel like to be cremated, I was able to numb some of the pain with several Hop Knot IPAs from Four Peaks. They were easy to find, affordable and on a scorching hot July day by the pool, they go down smooth and easy, offering refreshment with a kick. 6.7% so right in line of where I like to live and while the design work is pretty basic, I love the colors. It's kind of nice knowing precisely what I'll order the next time I'm in Woz and Bobby Sac's backyard. No hesitation needed, one Hop Knot, please. Super duper cold!
Say, you know who has two thumbs and got to spend 10 days in December in the tropics of Michigan? THIS GUY!

Actually, it wasn't too bad; the weather wasn't as bad as it could have been, so that was nice. Even better was being able to enjoy many Bell's Two Hearted IPAs, a beer I've been a fan of ever since my wife started dragging me to her home state. Some will prefer the Founders over Bell's IPA but not me. In fact, I'd say Bell's Two Hearted could compete with anything Oregon has to offer from a large scale produced IPA. And the can/bottle? Best one out there, IMO. Beautiful color and that fish is menacing looking, like he's about to rip your lungs out, Jim. At 7% ABV it is a touch on the higher end for me, but I don't feel overly impacted by it. Just a delicious beer start to finish and the cost is right too. On occasion, I'll find it out here in Oregon, but the stores price gouge it. Still, I'd put this drinkable IPA up against just about any in the country.
Memories are a little fuzzy, but I *THINK* I went to Half Acre Brewery with @Aaron Rudnicki followed by some late night antics at my friends condo near Wrigley. My wife and two older boys took the train from Pontiac to Chicago to check the city out and man, WHAT A CITY. I fell in love with Chicago and can't wait to go back. For when I do, I'm going to find Bodem IPA in a tall can and enjoy a fine Illinois IPA. Great design, delicious beer, very easy to drink at 6.7%. And because I didn't know, I searched out the word "Bodem" and learned it means ground, or more specifically, the solid surface of the earth. Which makes sense for a brewery named "Half Acre". Between the food, culture, beer and people, Chicago is just an amazing city.
Updated List:
Oregon - Boneyard RPM IPA, Bend, OR
California - Lost Coast Brewery IPA, Eureka, CA
Idaho - Dagger Falls IPA by Sockeye Brewing, Boise, ID
Washington - Bodhizafa IPA from Georgetown Brewing Company, Seattle, WA
Arizona - Hop Knot IPA from Four Peaks, Tempe, AZ
Michigan - Bell's Two Hearted IPA, Kalamazoo, MI
Illinois - Bodem IPA, Half Acre Brewery, Chicago, IL
Last edited: