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Each State's Best IPA Beer - Value, Drinkability, Taste and Artwork (3 Viewers)

Also I feel sorry for Nevada. i know the Vegas, Tahoe, Carson City scenes well enough. Nothing stands out. Alibi has a good business going in Tahoe, but the actual brews have been just okay. Able Baker is the hot brewery in Vegas but they specialize in 12%+ ABV stuff. The IPAs are also just okay. The arts district has an active scene but no brewery stands out. Reno? Maybe they got something good, but I wouldn't know.
 
Community probably makes the best one in Texas but I'll do some more deep thinking and looking around.

I mean their nada 0% IPA is probably my favorite thing of theirs. I'll be contrarian and say Texas still doesn't have a competitive IPA in any category.

If label design and backstory plays a role Red Gap Big Daddy Daryl is interesting. Has a target on the back and just the whole micro brew in a tiny town thing is neat.
 
I actually think the best IPAs in Michigan ate from HOMES in Ann Arbor but they don’t distribute so not sure that’s helpful to many people.
 
i dont even drink anymore and am three years sober but i know damn well that michigans is bells two hearted ale and ill fight anyone who says otherwise take that to the bank bromigos

Proud of you, GB. And yes, I'll be going with Bell's for Michigan. As a man who loves to fish, you have to rank their art design highly. That is a super sexy can!
if you have a red marker handy you can make the bottle labels into a cutthroat take that to the bank brochacho
 
I feel like I’ve also had my palate change, I hardly ever drink an IPA anymore (I do pick up some two hearted occasionally)
My beer consumption in general is at an all time low though, if I do have one it’s usually just a macro lager like labatt blue or maybe a Mexican beer. I’ll do the occasional porter or stout too

I’m pretty much seltzers or liquor these days

I did have a beer with lunch the other day though we found a bar that has a lunch special - burger or sandwich , fries and a beer for like $9…amazing value
 
I feel like I’ve also had my palate change, I hardly ever drink an IPA anymore (I do pick up some two hearted occasionally)
My beer consumption in general is at an all time low though, if I do have one it’s usually just a macro lager like labatt blue or maybe a Mexican beer. I’ll do the occasional porter or stout too

I’m pretty much seltzers or liquor these days

I did have a beer with lunch the other day though we found a bar that has a lunch special - burger or sandwich , fries and a beer for like $9…amazing value
This seems like a consistent theme in today's world. Lots of people complaining that every tap in the bar is an IPA. Brewery business seeing more closures than openings.

As an old guy that lived through a time when Michelob and Lowenbrau were the exotic different beers, we're still in a golden era for beer choice. Plus most of the historically tough-to-get beers are now readily available. I'm glad my stomach still is fine with IPAs and my palate is still loving the variety of hazy IPAs available in Chicago. Never been a better time to enjoy beer!
 
I started trying to create a list with each state followed by beers mentioned, but ran out of steam/got bored with it at some point last night. May try to pick that back up when/if get some down time.
 
Was in Vermont over the summer and went to Fiddlehead- they make a solid IPA
Zero Gravity’s Madonna out of Burlington, VT is also very good.
Vermont has a lot of good options. Alchemist’s Heady Topper and Lawson’s Sip of Sunshine come to mind.
Lawson’s little sip might be one of the better session IPAs
LIttle Sip is pretty much my favorite beer right now.
 
I'd nominate:

1. Minnesota - Surly Furious
Without question.

For California, I'll throw this out there... Hangar 24's Betty IPA
I don't even think Furious is Surly's best IPA. It is very very good, but Todd the Axe Man is better (I guess Todd got the boot and it is just Axe Man now).

But also, there are better IPA's in the twin cities anyway. Barrel Theory and Blackstack and Falling Knife all make excellent IPAs
He left to go work for Three Floyds. Not sure if he's still there or not.
 
Reading most of these lists I'm wondering if I've always misunderstood the term "sessionable" in relation to beer. Doesn't it mean lower alcohol content? IE something you can drink all day?
 
Reading most of these lists I'm wondering if I've always misunderstood the term "sessionable" in relation to beer. Doesn't it mean lower alcohol content? IE something you can drink all day?
It does, which, by default, IPAs are usually not. But whatever, to each their own....
 
Reading most of these lists I'm wondering if I've always misunderstood the term "sessionable" in relation to beer. Doesn't it mean lower alcohol content? IE something you can drink all day?
It does.

But here's where my personal preference plays in - I'd rather drink four Dogfish 90 minutes throughout an afternoon than, say, six Hop Knots (though I'm content with either option). I just prefer taste as my number one factor and I'm generally pretty good at moderating my intake so I don't get too drunk.

To me, the biggest factor in whether an IPA can be a "session" option is whether it's hop level isn't so overwhelming that multiple can be enjoyed. For example. I like one Tricerahops or Ruination but would not want to drink several in a sitting.
 
Reading most of these lists I'm wondering if I've always misunderstood the term "sessionable" in relation to beer. Doesn't it mean lower alcohol content? IE something you can drink all day?
You are correct. We basically told GM to take a hike and ignored what he was asking in the OP listing high alcohol content beers that aren't under $20 a 12 pack and aren't readily available.
 
OHIO

I'm a huge red IPA fan, and my favorite beer is Madtree's Rounding Third. But it's only available part of the year. For traditional IPA, I'd go with Madtree's Psychopathy.
HUGE Rounding Third fan. Too bad it's seasonal (getting close). West Side brewing has a red IPA out now that's pretty good as well.
I'd go with Rheingeist's Truth over Psycopothy.
For a heavy hitter 50 West's Punch you in the IPA is fantastic, but buckle up, 9.2%
 
I also went to Sonoma State - actually grew up in Rohnert Park from 7th grade until I moved to Southern California after graduating college and getting married - bummed that they are cutting all of the sports programs and about 20 majors.
I was unaware they were cutting the sports programs. My daughter went during COVID (started before and it hit her sophmore year) so she got less time up there than what she could have. She thought about trying out for the softball team but she broke her thumb on a comebacker her senior year so she wasn't able to workout over the summer before her freshman year so she decided against it.

We went to a couple baseball games (I liked the quaint little field and surroundings). They were D2 so we tried to talk my son into considering that school but he didn't want to go where his sister went. Sad to know they are cutting all sports.
 
For California, I guess it has to be something from Russian River but here in Tennessee, I can easily get Stone's IPA and that's my go to.
Yeah, Pliny the Elder would be my California vote.

I fly in/out of Santa Rosa when I go up to my parents, and I always make it a point to get to the airport a little early for my flights back home as the Santa Rosa airport always has Pliny on tap. Couple of those before the flight and it's a great way to end the visit up to help the parents out around their house.

CA

Lagunitas Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’

Think I'm going so surprise with my pick for CA. I've got one I L O V E love.
I am not an IPA guy and it gets frustrating going to various breweries and they have 10 beers on tap and 9 are IPA's. Ugh.

Anyway there are a few I like and my favorite by far for CA is Pliny the Elder. My daughter went to Sonoma St so every time we went for a visit I ended up at the Russian River Brewery and had to take a box home. Not a fan of most IPA's but really like Pliny.

I also went to Sonoma State - actually grew up in Rohnert Park from 7th grade until I moved to Southern California after graduating college and getting married - bummed that they are cutting all of the sports programs and about 20 majors.

Russian River will now ship within California, so you can get Pliny the Elder and their other offerings sent to you. During Covid they did a Pliny the Younger bottling and you could order that for shipping - you would get a mixed 12 pack with I believe 3 Youngers. I'll need to see if they still do that, it's getting to be about the time of year that they release it.
Blind Pig >>>>>>>>>>>>>>Pliny


:scared:
I don't like most IPA's so I was not a fan of Blind Pig. Liked Pliny much, much better.
 
I’ll represent western PA (and my opinion) that Fathead’s Headhunter IPA is worthy.
Troegs Nugget Nectar?? I always remember seeking this one out…but maybe it’s seasonal.
yes it is- and it is great (but not a session). matter of fact, I think it is being released soon
It is out now (so is Double Nugget Nectar)... Troegs does not consider either an IPA tho.
Thanks! I thought it usually was closer to Spring. I used to find it in NY but I'll have to look here in Boise.
 
Boise has a great brewery scene. There's 11 breweries, last I checked, within walking distance of me in downtown
I've kind of moved away from IPA's but will still get a Mother Earth Heavy Cloud Hazy now and then. I've heard their Boo Koo is really good but I'm still on their Milk Truck Stout for the winter. Getting it Nitro is amazing.

eta: Barbarian Brewing Little Wolf IPA is good too.
 
Also I feel sorry for Nevada. i know the Vegas, Tahoe, Carson City scenes well enough. Nothing stands out. Alibi has a good business going in Tahoe, but the actual brews have been just okay. Able Baker is the hot brewery in Vegas but they specialize in 12%+ ABV stuff. The IPAs are also just okay. The arts district has an active scene but no brewery stands out. Reno? Maybe they got something good, but I wouldn't know.
I've been to a few breweries in Reno. Nothing really notable.
 
Love a good IPA, especially in hot weather. The more bitter it is, the better.

Here in North Carolina, my favorite local is Pernicious IPA from Wicked Weed Brewing in Asheville. A bit over 7% so it's not exactly session-able, but it's not crazy either. Just have 2 instead of 3.

I tried a bunch of lower alcohol session IPA's, and most of them are little lacking in the taste department. If you drink an All Day IPA after a Pernicious, you know it.

This is precisely why I started this thread - INFO! Now I know what to order when I'm in North Carolina. :thumbup:
A lot of folks stays away from Wicked Weed after being bought by AB Inbev. I still like them but like some of their other stuff a lot more (sours and some stouts).
I hear you, but I still think freak of nature is great
Not a hater by any means. It's also a good value that you can find. I just think of their great sours or their Milk n Cookies before their IPAs.

An IPA like Surf Wax from Burial is great and approachable, but you never see it.
Kind of surprising. It's in Whole Foods in Asheville and maybe Ingles. They do have a Charlotte location so I suspect they have....after more research....


I'll check the Lowes in Mooresville the next time I'm charging there, but I suspect they aren't close to the $20 per 12 price tag.
 
For California, I guess it has to be something from Russian River but here in Tennessee, I can easily get Stone's IPA and that's my go to.
Yeah, Pliny the Elder would be my California vote.

I fly in/out of Santa Rosa when I go up to my parents, and I always make it a point to get to the airport a little early for my flights back home as the Santa Rosa airport always has Pliny on tap. Couple of those before the flight and it's a great way to end the visit up to help the parents out around their house.

CA

Lagunitas Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’

Think I'm going so surprise with my pick for CA. I've got one I L O V E love.
I am not an IPA guy and it gets frustrating going to various breweries and they have 10 beers on tap and 9 are IPA's. Ugh.

Anyway there are a few I like and my favorite by far for CA is Pliny the Elder. My daughter went to Sonoma St so every time we went for a visit I ended up at the Russian River Brewery and had to take a box home. Not a fan of most IPA's but really like Pliny.

I also went to Sonoma State - actually grew up in Rohnert Park from 7th grade until I moved to Southern California after graduating college and getting married - bummed that they are cutting all of the sports programs and about 20 majors.

Russian River will now ship within California, so you can get Pliny the Elder and their other offerings sent to you. During Covid they did a Pliny the Younger bottling and you could order that for shipping - you would get a mixed 12 pack with I believe 3 Youngers. I'll need to see if they still do that, it's getting to be about the time of year that they release it.
Blind Pig >>>>>>>>>>>>>>Pliny


:scared:
I don't like most IPA's so I was not a fan of Blind Pig. Liked Pliny much, much better.
All about different taste buds - I also prefer Pliny, but Blind Pig was not bad, just not my preferred of the two.
 
Love a good IPA, especially in hot weather. The more bitter it is, the better.

Here in North Carolina, my favorite local is Pernicious IPA from Wicked Weed Brewing in Asheville. A bit over 7% so it's not exactly session-able, but it's not crazy either. Just have 2 instead of 3.

I tried a bunch of lower alcohol session IPA's, and most of them are little lacking in the taste department. If you drink an All Day IPA after a Pernicious, you know it.

This is precisely why I started this thread - INFO! Now I know what to order when I'm in North Carolina. :thumbup:
A lot of folks stays away from Wicked Weed after being bought by AB Inbev. I still like them but like some of their other stuff a lot more (sours and some stouts).
I hear you, but I still think freak of nature is great
Not a hater by any means. It's also a good value that you can find. I just think of their great sours or their Milk n Cookies before their IPAs.

An IPA like Surf Wax from Burial is great and approachable, but you never see it.
Kind of surprising. It's in Whole Foods in Asheville and maybe Ingles. They do have a Charlotte location so I suspect they have....after more research....


I'll check the Lowes in Mooresville the next time I'm charging there, but I suspect they aren't close to the $20 per 12 price tag.
You can definitely find it in cans at beer shops/groceries I was mostly talking about seeing it on draft places. And, yeah, nobody is paying $20 per 12 for any beer I'm realistically going to be drinking.
 
Michigan for session most popular is Founders All Day though it’s not my favorite. I’m still a 2 Hearted guy though it’s kind of strong for putting back a bunch of them. M43 by Old Nation is a great hazy.
Hopslam from Bells is pretty damn good (and scores better than All Day and 2 hearted), but not as well known.
 
to me that's Ballast Point's Grapefruit Sculpin.
Ooh. I forgot about that one. I do like this a lot (but not more than Pliny). It would likely be my second favorite.

I do also like Lizard's Mouth from FIg Mtn Brewing but it doesn't really fit for the "session" type as it has quite a high alcohol content. But I could drink a couple at a sitting.
 
Michigan for session most popular is Founders All Day though it’s not my favorite. I’m still a 2 Hearted guy though it’s kind of strong for putting back a bunch of them. M43 by Old Nation is a great hazy.
Hopslam from Bells is pretty damn good (and scores better than All Day and 2 hearted), but not as well known.
HopSlam and Hop Juju from Fathead are great. For whatever reason Hopslam always messes me up regardless of amount consumed. And yet I still pick it up every time I see it.
 
Moving south to the great state of California, which - if you've ever driven 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 your 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.
 
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There was a Doghead Fish beer I really liked but I can't remember the name of it. It's been years since I have had it and I don't think they make it anymore (or maybe they changed the name). It was probably 10-15 years ago when I tried it and I think I would know it if I heard the name. It was dark with high alcohol content. It wasn't an IPA (I know wrong thread). Any thoughts?
 
I feel like I’ve also had my palate change, I hardly ever drink an IPA anymore (I do pick up some two hearted occasionally)
My beer consumption in general is at an all time low though, if I do have one it’s usually just a macro lager like labatt blue or maybe a Mexican beer. I’ll do the occasional porter or stout too

I’m pretty much seltzers or liquor these days

I did have a beer with lunch the other day though we found a bar that has a lunch special - burger or sandwich , fries and a beer for like $9…amazing value

We stopped at Griffin Claw in Rochester Hills on the way out of town - great beers and their shoestring fries are outstanding. Big fan!
 
Michigan for session most popular is Founders All Day though it’s not my favorite. I’m still a 2 Hearted guy though it’s kind of strong for putting back a bunch of them. M43 by Old Nation is a great hazy.
Hopslam from Bells is pretty damn good (and scores better than All Day and 2 hearted), but not as well known.
HopSlam and Hop Juju from Fathead are great. For whatever reason Hopslam always messes me up regardless of amount consumed. And yet I still pick it up every time I see it.
Hopslam is like 10% ABV so yeah they pack a punch. It’s seasonal though IIRC usually March release?
 
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 your 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.
I really like the Lost Coast Tangerine Wheat. Very nice on a hot day and you can drink them all day.
 
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 your 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.
I really like the Lost Coast Tangerine Wheat. Very nice on a hot day and you can drink them all day.

Sitting by the Eel River with my feet in the cool waters with an ice cold Lost Coast IPA surrounded by massive trees......man, it doesn't get any better than that.
 
Boise has a great brewery scene. There's 11 breweries, last I checked, within walking distance of me in downtown
I've kind of moved away from IPA's but will still get a Mother Earth Heavy Cloud Hazy now and then. I've heard their Boo Koo is really good but I'm still on their Milk Truck Stout for the winter. Getting it Nitro is amazing.

eta: Barbarian Brewing Little Wolf IPA is good too.

Oh, hello jamny.....

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.
 
In Maryland, more specially in Baltimore there is Speed Wobbles from Key Brewing.
Very smooth IPA and at 4.6% it's a great session beer. Can usually pick it up for $11.99 a six pack
Good choice. My go-to IPA around here right now is Astrodon by Peabody Heights

Cushwa out toward western Maryland also has a couple very good beers, I like Face Chop which is a bit of a hazy
Yes, I like the Astrodon as well. I do like hazy, but can't drink too many in one outing.
 
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?

One more picture - this is just gorgeous! https://res.cloudinary.com/tavour/image/upload/rfk7rjkfiyybuvmu8p4e
 
The power of suggestion is so annoying sometimes. I haven't had a beer this year. I had less than a twelve pack last year. But here at 9:30am on a Wednesday I'm headed to the local beer shop to pick out something for breakfast.
 
Michigan for session most popular is Founders All Day though it’s not my favorite. I’m still a 2 Hearted guy though it’s kind of strong for putting back a bunch of them. M43 by Old Nation is a great hazy.
Hopslam from Bells is pretty damn good (and scores better than All Day and 2 hearted), but not as well known.
Hopslam is good but about the farthest thing from seasonable. That knocks me on my butt.
 
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?

One more picture - this is just gorgeous! https://res.cloudinary.com/tavour/image/upload/rfk7rjkfiyybuvmu8p4e
If you want the ultimate, you've got to be willing to pay the ultimate price. It's not tragic to die doing what you love.
 
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?

One more picture - this is just gorgeous! https://res.cloudinary.com/tavour/image/upload/rfk7rjkfiyybuvmu8p4e
If you want the ultimate, you've got to be willing to pay the ultimate price. It's not tragic to die doing what you love.

Check this one out: https://images.albertsons-media.com...g-ecom-pdp-mobile$&defaultImage=Not_Available
 
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?

One more picture - this is just gorgeous! https://res.cloudinary.com/tavour/image/upload/rfk7rjkfiyybuvmu8p4e
If you want the ultimate, you've got to be willing to pay the ultimate price. It's not tragic to die doing what you love.

Check this one out: https://images.albertsons-media.com...g-ecom-pdp-mobile$&defaultImage=Not_Available
I bet that beer always gets his man.
 
Lots of people complaining that every tap in the bar is an IPA.

I really don't see this anywhere and think it's a huge exaggeration.

What I find even more peculiar is the number of macro light beers available at the Buffalo Wild Wings in our area. They have Coors Light, Miller Lite, Bud Light and for good measure, just put Busch Light up there. Like....why? And they don't serve them at any sort of steep discount so what's the point in having 4 of what I think is the same thing?
 

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