Racer 5 IPA 7.00% ABV
Bear Republic Brewing Co., Healdsburg, CA
The Racer 5 IPA from Bear Republic Brewing Company in Heladsburg, CA pours out golden amber in color with a slight haze and a foamy white head that stays put. The nose is very clean with citrus hops and a malty background. In the mouth the malt sweetness comes first followed by citrus rind bitterness from the hops that does not subside or give in to the malty sweetness. Medium bodied. Incredible lacing. Good carbonation. Good oil to the mouthfeel. The finish goes on for a long time with hop bitterness shinning through. Quite possibly the best IPA I have ever tasted.
471 IPA Small Batch 9.20% ABV
Breckenridge Brewery, Denver, CO
The 471 Small Batch Double Hopped IPA from Breckenridge Brewery in Denver, CO pours out golden amber in color with just a little cloud and a nice foamy white head that hangs around. On the nose there is orange, pine, floral notes and a little brown sugar. In the mouth you first taste the orange rind and pine bitterness followed by malty notes and a slight sweetness that fades to let the bitterness resurface. Beautiful lacing. Medium bodied. Fairly low carbonation in the mouth. Some oil to the mouthfeel. The finish is quite long and fairly dry with the hop bitterness most redolent. A very nice IPA that has balance and smoothness.
ThunderHead IPA 6.70% ABV
Pyramid Breweries, Berkeley, CA & Seattle, WA
The ThunderHead IPA from Pyramid Breweries pours out golden amber in color with good clarity and a fluffy, off-white head. On the nose aromas of light grapefruit, some malty sweetness and just a bit of pine. Quite hoppy in the mouth with good citrus bitterness (grapefruit, orange peel) slightly tamed by some malty sweetness. Slight pine flavors carried over from the nose. Medium bodied. Nice lacing. Moderate carbonation. A very faint oiliness to the mouthfeel. The finish is a little drying and packed with lovely hop bitterness. I wouldn't call this a hop bomb - maybe a hop monster. Up there in hoppiness but not over the top.
Eel River IPA 7.00% ABV
Eel River Brewing Co., Scotia, CA
This IPA from Eel River Brewing Co. in Scotia, CA is certified organic and pours out a deep copper in color with great clarity. The slightly off white head dissipates slowly. On the nose scents of grapefruit rind, fresh grapefruit juice and floral hops are most prominent. In the mouth the first thing that hits you is toffee and brown sugar followed by the citrus and hoppy bitterness. Quite odd to get so much toffee but it sure is there and it fits. Slightly oily mouthfeel. Medium bodied. Moderate to low carbonation. Nice lacing. Bitter and sweet finish that is drying. This may not fit into the ideals of a traditional IPA taste wise but it is very good and a nice change of pace.
Mendocino Imperial IPA 7.50% ABV
Mendocino Brewing Co., Ukiah, CA
The Imperial IPA from Mendocino Brewing Comapny in Ukiah, CA is a Winter Seasonal brew. This Imperial IPA pours out a true, dark gold in color with a good bit of cloud and a three finger, frothy, white head. On the nose you get huge citrus - grapefruit, lemon and orange - with some herbal and malt notes. In the mouth grapefruit and orange peel come first followed by a slightly sweet, caramel malt to balance out a good bit of their bitterness. Medium bodied. Very nice lacing. Fairly low carbonation. Slightly creamy mouthfeel. On the finish, which is quite drying, you really get hit with a wonderful hop bitterness. An excellent double IPA. Buy some!
Sacramento IPA 5.50% ABV
Sacramento Brewing Co., Sacramento, CA
The India Pale Ale (IPA) from Sacramento Brewing Company in Sacramento, CA pours out a deep amber in color with some brownish hues and a slightly off white head. Good clarity. Wet grass, malt and a little floral on the nose. In the mouth flavors of malt, caramel, mild citrus and green tea. Excellent lacing. Moderate carbonation. Medium bodied. Slightly oily mouthfeel. Tart finish that is quite dry. This is a good beer but not hoppy enough for me to be a remarkable IPA.
SteelHead Double IPA 8.60% ABV
Mad River Brewing Co., Blue Lake, CA
The Steelhead Double India Pale Ale from Mad River Brewing Co. in Blue Lake, CA pours out a tawny amber with a foamy, white head and a good bit of cloud and sediment (unfiltered). Big citrus and floral hop nose. In the mouth flavors of grapefruit rind take charge followed by warm spices and a toffee sweetness that balances things out. Very well balanced. Creamy, slightly oily mouthfeel. Moderate carbonation. Good lacing. Fairly dry finish that is bitter and sweet with a little dried fruit (raisin). Easy drinker for such a high ABV. I'll be buying more of this!
Avery IPA 6.30% ABV
Avery Brewing Co., Boulder, CO
The India Pale Ale (IPA) from Avery Brewing Company in Boulder, CO pours out a light golden, amber with great clarity and a frothy, snow white head that hangs on for a while. Spot on classic IPA nose. Citrus and floral hops. In the mouth you find moderate bitterness at first with grapefruit rind followed by an ever so slight sweetness. Moderate carbonation. Slightly creamy mouthfeel. Decent lacing. Medium bodied. The finish is on the dry side with the hop bitterness clinging on. What a great IPA!
Lagunitas IPA 5.70% ABV
Lagunitas Brewing Co., Petaluma, CA
The India Pale Ale (IPA) from Lagunitas Brewing Company in Petaluma, CA pours out a crystal clear, golden amber in color with a fluffy snow white head. Aromas of citrus, pine and floral tones fill the nose. In the mouth you get the grapefruit flavor first followed by hoppy bitterness, some malt, a little sweetness and some pine. Moderate carbonation. Light side of medium bodied. Some lacing on the glass. Slightly dry on the finish with citrus, mild hop bitterness and some sweetness. A milder IPA but one I very much like.
Big Sky IPA 6.20% ABV
Big Sky Brewing Co., Missoula, MT
The Big Sky IPA from Big Sky Brewing Company in Missoula, MT pours out a reddish orange with brown hues in color with a little cloud and a nice, off white head. Hops, pine, caramel and citrus on the nose. In the mouth flavors of grapefruit, pine and hops come through on a malt back bone that has a little sweetness too it. Decent carbonation. Minimal lacing. Medium bodied. The finish was quite long with a good dose of bitterness. A very nice IPA.
Torpedo Extra IPA 7.20% ABV
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Chico, CA
The Torpedo Extra IPA from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. in Chico, CA pours out a coppery amber in color with perfect clarity and a nice egg shell colored head. On the nose I can smell piney hops, orange peel, grapefruit and some violet. In the mouth you get the bitterness from the hops with just a touch of sweetness and a good amount of spice. Not too much citrus in here. Nice carbonation. Medium bodied. Excellent lacing on the glass. Pretty good balance. Spicy, bitterness in the finish as the hops assert themselves. A nice Extra IPA.
Full Sail IPA 6.00% ABV
Full Sail Brewing Co., Hood River, OR
This India Pale Ale from Full Sail Brewing Co. in Hood River, OR pours out a golden copper in color that is crystal clear with a one finger, dense snow white head. The nose is full of yeasty bread and vibrant citrus. In the mouth flavors of grapefruit, hoppy bitterness, the slightest of malt and just a tad of caramel come through. Medium bodied. Well Carbonated. Decent lacing. The finish is fairly dry with the bitter hops carrying through to the end. Another great IPA!
Acme IPA 7.10% ABV
North Coast Brewing Co., Fort Bragg, CA
The Acme IPA from North Coast Brewing Company in Fort Bragg, CA pours out a golden amber color with slight clouding and a fluffy, snow white head that hangs on for a good while. Lovely nose of citrusy, piney hops. In the mouth the hops shine on a creamy, citrus and pine filled base. Moderate carbonation. Creamy mouthfeel. Medium bodied. Excellent lacing. Very well balanced. The finish is quite dry with a lot of hops. This is a fantastic IPA. Loved it!
Hop Ottin' IPA 7.00% ABV
Anderson Valley Brewing, Co., Booneville, CA
The Hop Ottin' IPA from Anderson Valley Brewing Co., in Booneville, CA pours out coppery amber color with lovely clarity and a substantial off white head the consistency of sea foam. The nose is citric, floral, sweet and malty. in the mouth the malt comes first followed by the hoppy bitterness intertwined in with citrus and pine. Subtle sweetness balances out the bitterness. Radical lacing. Moderate carbonation. Medium bodied. On the finish the hops prevail. Slightly drying. Go buy some!
Alaskan IPA 6.20% ABV
Alaskan Brewing Co., Juneau, AK
The Alaskan IPA from Alaskan Brewing Co. in Juneau, AK pours out a deep golden with great clarity and a frothy, white head. On the nose I can smell intense floral hops, citrus and an almost butter aroma. Not overly bitter in the mouth but the hops do shine through. Some mild citrus - orange peel for sure - and pine. Great mouthfeel, very coating and rich. Moderate carbonation, medium bodied, decent lacing on the glass. Medium length, subdued finish with hints of orange and a light hop bitterness. This is a good IPA. Well worth drinking and buying more.
Maximus IPA 7.50% ABV
Lagunitas Brewing Co., Petaluma, CA
The Maximus IPA from Lagunitas Brewing Co. in Petaluma (Sonoma County), CA pours out a nice coppery color that is very clear with a decent cream head that laces nicely. Orange peel, lemon and a good dose of grapefruit make up the aroma. The citrus bitterness shines in the mouth with grapefruit most noticeable. A slight creaminess to the mouthfeel to go with the tartness. Good fiz. Medium bodied. Drying on the finish and a hoppiness that almost makes you pucker but does make your mouth water. Loved it. Smooth drinker (not overly bitter). Want more!
White Hawk Select IPA 7.00% ABV
Mendocino Brewing Co., Ukiah, CA
The White Hawk Select IPA from Mendocino Brewing Co. in Ukiah, CA (they have a second brewery in Saratoga Springs, NY) pours out a lovely amber with nice clarity and a slightly off white head that has good retention. The nose is very hoppy with some floral notes. In the mouth this beer takes on a new light. While the nose was fairly one dimensional the flavor is not. The bitter hops come first but are mellowed by the a slight malt sweetness intertwined with lemon and orange. Medium bodied. Good carbonation. Some lacing. The finish has a nice hop bitterness and just a touch of drying. A pretty potent IPA at 7.00% ABV but no noticeable alcohol heat. Well done, a nice beer indeed.
Inversion IPA 6.80% ABV
Deschutes Brewery, Bend, OR
The Inversion IPA (India Pale Ale) from Deschutes Brewery in Bend, OR pours out a deep red copper in color with good clarity and a sudsy, off white head. On the nose I find orange peel, grapefruit, some floral and biscuit. In the mouth flavors of malt, hops and spice come alive with some floral undertones and a tad of citrus. Love the bitterness of this and the balance. Medium bodied. Rich mouthfeel. Decent lacing. A little dry on the finish. This is an IPA that hits the spot for me.
