In the kaleidoscope world of craft beers, there’s one style that stands out from the rest and has captured the hearts (and mouths) of beer enthusiasts all over America – India Pale Ales or IPAs. Now, if you’re a beer aficionado like me, you know that not all IPAs are created equal. From the deliciously bitter to the surprisingly fruity, IPAs have a wide range of flavors and styles, making the journey to find the perfect one all the more exciting. Among a vast collection of handcrafted beer, some have distinguished themselves with unique flavor profiles and consistent quality.

So, why don’t we embark on an exploration of the best IPA beers that everyone should get their taste buds on? From coast to coast and across the globe, I’ll take you on a pint-filled journey to discover the hoppy goodness of these standout brews.

Exploring the Craft: The Best IPA Beers for Discerning Palates

Introduction 

Crafting the perfect beer is an art, and when it comes to bold and flavorful options, India Pale Ale (IPA) stands out as a favourite among beer enthusiasts. IPA beers have become a staple in the craft beer movement and are renowned for their hop-forward and diverse flavour profiles. In this detailed exploration, we’ll delve into the world of IPAs, uncovering the best options for those seeking a distinctive and satisfying brew.

Understanding IPA Beers

What Makes an IPA?

India Pale Ales, or IPAs, are characterized by their emphasis on hops. The brewing process often involves more hops, imparting various flavours from citrusy and floral to piney and bitter. This hop-centric approach results in a bold, aromatic beer, a favourite among those who appreciate complex flavour profiles.

The Best IPA Beers

1. Pliny the Elder – Russian River Brewing Company

• Overview: This Double IPA is a legend among beer enthusiasts. Pliny the Elder is a valid showcase of the brewing craft with a perfect balance of hop bitterness and a hint of malt sweetness.
• Why We Love It: Pliny the Elder consistently earns its place among the best IPAs, offering a robust and satisfying experience with each sip.

1. Heady Topper – The Alchemist

• Overview: Heady Topper, a New England IPA, is renowned for its hazy appearance and explosive hop aroma. The combination of tropical fruit notes and a smooth finish has made it a sought-after brew.
• Why We Love It: Heady Topper’s unique flavour profile and limited availability make it one of the most coveted IPAs in the craft beer scene.

1. Two Hearted Ale – Bell’s Brewery

• Overview: A classic American IPA, Two Hearted Ale is known for its well-balanced flavour. Focusing on Centennial hops, it delivers a floral and citrusy experience that’s both approachable and delightful.
• Why We Love It: Two Hearted Ale’s consistency and widespread availability make it a go-to choice for those seeking a reliable and flavorful IPA.

1. Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA – Dogfish Head Craft Brewery

• Overview: This Imperial IPA is an exercise in hop longevity. Brewed with a continuous hopping process over 90 minutes, it produces a beer with a rich malt backbone and a pronounced hop character.
• Why We Love It: Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA showcases the artistry of brewing, delivering a bold and nuanced flavour experience.

1. Stone IPA – Stone Brewing

• Overview: As a flagship IPA for Stone Brewing, Stone IPA is known for its assertive hop character. With a blend of Magnum, Centennial, and various other hops, it provides a citrusy and piney flavour profile.
• Why We Love It: Stone IPA is a testament to the West Coast IPA style, delivering a crisp and refreshing taste that has earned it a permanent place in the hearts of IPA enthusiasts.

1. Hazy Little Thing IPA – Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

• Overview: Embracing the grey IPA trend, Hazy Little Thing IPA from Sierra Nevada is a juicy and unfiltered delight. It’s a modern take on the traditional IPA, packed with tropical fruit flavours.
• Why We Love It: Hazy Little Thing IPA captures the essence of the hazy IPA movement, offering a smooth and flavorful experience that appeals to a broad range of palates.

Navigating the IPA Landscape

Choosing the Right IPA for You

Selecting the best IPA depends on personal preferences. If you enjoy a strong hop presence, look for Double or Imperial IPAs. For those seeking a softer and juicier experience, explore the world of New England or hazy IPAs. Be bold in trying different styles to discover the one that suits your taste buds.

25 Best IPA Beers [2024’s Must-Try Hoppy Delights]

Also Read: Best Beers For Michelada

25 Best IPA Beers in 2024

There’s a vast treasure trove of IPA beers out there with a myriad of flavor profiles to savor and experience. Each distinct brew, infused with the best hops and creatively crafted, forms an array of IPA beers that are suited to distinct palates. Here’s a detailed look at fifteen fabulous IPA beers that stand a testament to the sheer diversity and evolving sophistication of this beer style.

1. Alpine Beer Co. Nelson IPA

With a reputation for being utterly unique in the IPA landscape, the Alpine Beer Co. Nelson IPA truly deserves its spot on the list. This brew offers a soulful journey into the intriguing world of Nelson Sauvin hops, a New Zealand variety noted for its white wine characteristics. Upon first sip, your taste buds are met with aromatic hints of tropical fruit blended with a touch of light maltiness.

The flavor profile is impeccably designed – a smooth transition of crisp citrus notes to an intricate finish of earthy hop bitterness, making every sip a delightful experience. It’s a hefty, full-bodied, yet well-balanced brew that’s designed for those who appreciate remarkable twists on traditional IPAs. With its impressive craftsmanship and unique hop combination, this beer is a testament to Alpine Beer Company’s brewing prowess, making it stand out among the best IPA beers.

2. Lagunitas Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’ Ale

Stepping away from the classic beer aesthetics, Lagunitas Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’ Ale successfully fosters a love story between hops and wheat. This hybrid of wheat ale and American IPA boasts an eccentric charm that comes from its generous hop aroma, alongside notes of comforting wheat breadiness. The flavor profile is an impressive line-up of grapefruit zest, ripe peaches, and freshly squeezed oranges, balanced out with a beautiful, velvety mouthfeel. The finish, meanwhile, leaves a lasting impression with an elegant hop bitterness.

This beer has a fantastic drinkability that’s well complemented with a heady 7.5% ABV, making it appealing to ale lovers and IPA enthusiasts alike. Its unique, harmonious blend brings a refreshing twist to the best IPA beers out there, solidifying Lagunitas’ place as a consistent innovator.

3. Tampa Bay Brewing Company Cloudy Donkey

Cloudy Donkey by Tampa Bay Brewing Company is a refreshing take on traditional IPAs. It’s a hazy double IPA with a bright golden pour and a wonderfully frothy head. On the nose, you’re greeted with an alluring mix of pine, citrus, mango – it’s like sniffing at a tropical fruit platter. As the beer settles in your mouth, you experience an interplay of sweet maltiness and grapefruit rind bitterness. The hazy, full-bodied texture adds depth to the beer, making each sip a wholesome experience.

The beer leaves a lingering bitterness on your palate, creating an elegant, dry finish that complements the overall flavor notes. Tampa Bay Brewing Company’s Cloudy Donkey embodies the adventurous spirit of craft brewing in its expansive flavor profile, securing its spot among the best IPA beers.

4. Spiteful IPA

Digging into the heart of IPA-inclined bitterness, Spiteful IPA is a beautiful American-style IPA coming from Spiteful Brewing. It presents an illustrious blend of aromatic hops hitting all the right notes of pine, citrus, and resin. The hops characters are introduced by an underpinning of sweet malt backbone, emphasizing drinkability and balance. As you delve further in, the flavor profile unfolds expertly layered grapefruit bitterness, trailed by earthy pine vibes. Bitterness follows you right into the finish, adding a surprising, yet pleasing complexity to the beer. This high spirited, hop-centric brew is certainly one to relish, undeniably making it to the list of best IPA beers.

5. Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA

Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA is one for the bold hearted. This offering from New Belgium Brewing comes with a soaring 9% ABV, built upon a strong malt foundation that counters the weight of its extensive hop lineup. With a consistent golden hue, the aroma boasts piney hops with an overlaying fruitiness. Moving to the flavor, a rush of citrus-forward bitterness takes center stage interwoven with tropical nuances and distinct pine emphasis. The malt power ensures a dense, medium-full body that maintains smoothness and avoids any overpowering dominance from the hops.

The finish sits heavy on the palate with lingering bitterness, capping off a well-defined and robust IPA experience. With striking strength, potent flavors, yet balanced composure, Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA readily earns its spot amongst the best IPA beers.

6. Old Nation M-43 N.E. IPA

The Old Nation M-43 N.E. IPA is everything you would want in a New England style IPA. It draws you in with a juicy, fruity aroma, with strong notes of peaches and citrus fruits to please your palate. The hazy, unfiltered appearance is characteristic of its style, and the taste does justice to the anticipation its look creates. Replete with flavors of ripe oranges and tropical fruits, the beer features a soft mouthfeel and a barely-there bitterness, which is quite a step away from traditional IPA profiles. Porous oats body adds a milky texture to the brew, contributing to the overall drinkability. The inclusion of this NE-style superstar amplifies the diversity and range of the best IPA beers list.

7. Industrial Arts Power Tools IPA

Crafted by Industrial Arts Brewing, Power Tools IPA has a definite place amongst the best IPA brews. A single sip is enough to elucidate why. This aroma-forward, sessionable IPA is an exemplification of American hops perception. It features a golden orange hue. The minute its distinct piney and citrusy aroma teases your senses, you are instantly pulled into the IPA experience it promises.

On tasting, the beer unveils a semi-sweet malt body accented with grapefruit hoppiness and a subtle hint of pine. The malt character ensures a smooth journey for your palate, culminating in a moderately bitter finish. The Power Tools IPA, with its balanced profile and refreshing outlook, is undeniably the power tool you need in your IPA arsenal.

8. Ballast Point Sculpin IPA

In the world of IPAs, few names come up as prevalent as the Ballast Point Sculpin IPA. This award-winning brew is known for its high hop intensity but where it truly stands out is in its artistic balance of flavors. The Sculpin IPA has a radiant golden complexion and a nose that swiftly introduces you to fruity and hoppy notes. It skilfully layers juicy tangerine and mango tones over the resounding bitterness resulting in a dance of unique flavors.

The lightly toasted malt character resonates through the robust hop profile, adding a touch of sweetness. This visionary approach to IPA brewing makes Sculpin IPA a popular choice for craft beer lovers and an undisputed name among the best IPA beers

9. Double Dry Hopped Double Mosaic Dream

Double Dry Hopped Double Mosaic Dream from Other Half Brewing Co. is literally the dream of any IPA lover. It doesn’t shy away from big, bold flavors, yet it manages to maintain a well-rounded profile that’s very palatable. You are greeted with a peachy haze yielding strong notes of grapefruit, tangerines, and fresh berries on the nose. On the palate, a robust citrus punch dominates, supplemented by tropical and peachy flavors.

The hoppiness is prominent but it’s expertly complemented by a smooth, creamy grain character adding body and depth. The beer finishes slightly dry, but the fruity notes keep it refreshing. The Double Mosaic Dream is indeed a ‘dream’ brew, undoubtedly meriting an entry amongst the best IPA beers.

10. Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty Lo-Cal IPA

Welcome to the lighter side of IPAs with Dogfish Head’s Slightly Mighty Lo-Cal IPA. If you thought light and strong was an inconceivable combo for beers, this brew is here to prove you wrong. Delivering the bold, hop-forward India Pale Ale experience in a calorie-counted package, it’s a delight for fitness-conscious beer enthusiasts. The beer pours a clear and bright golden color. It entices your senses with a tropical hop aroma incorporating pineapple, coconut, and mango notes.

In taste, it retains the IPA character with citrusy hop flavors and piney, grassy undertones, all well-balanced by a sweet maltiness. Though lower in calories, its powerful profile doesn’t compromise on the all-important IPA traits. Slightly Mighty Lo-Cal IPA is truly mighty in character, unexpectedly light on your waistline, and undeniably one of the best IPA beers.

11. AleSmith West Coast Style IPA

Some IPAs are worth going the extra mile for and AleSmith’s West Coast Style IPA is absolutely one! Revered as one of the best examples of the West Coast IPA style, this brew delivers a masterful balance of malt and hop flavors. The beer stands handsome in a radiant golden hue and enchants with intense aromas of pine blend with citrusy, floral hop scent.

Take a gulp, and you discover a delightful symphony of sensations that embrace a grapefruit-like bitterness, a crisp piney touch, and a sweet malt backbone. The result is not just palatable, but tremendously refreshing and intriguing. No matter where you are, a sip of the AleSmith West Coast Style IPA is like soaking up the West Coast sunshine with a sea breeze.

Also Read: Best Summer Beers

12. Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing IPA Beer

Amid the best IPA beers is Sierra Nevada’s Hazy Little Thing IPA – a tribute to unfiltered rawness. It promises a beer experience as pure as nature intended and by all means, it delivers! The haze in its appearance instantly sets it apart. The aroma comprises fragrances of ripe fruits, floral hops, and mild sweetness. The flavor calls to mind citrusy and tropical notes wrapped around a solid malt background.

There’s a balanced bitterness that lingers through the sip but it’s the fruity essence that truly shines. In a world chasing perfection, the Hazy Little Thing honors the unfettered wholesomeness of craft brewing. Certainly one to try if you’re looking for the best IPA beers offering an authentically rustic experience.

13. Goose Island IPA

For anyone with a desire to dig into the world of IPAs, Goose Island IPA is a veritable rite of passage. A classic in its own right, this brew is a testament to the time-honored British tradition of IPAs, blended with the boldness of American hop varieties. This IPA presents itself in a beautiful amber color, releasing an aroma mosaic of floral, citrus, and a hint of caramel. In taste, it’s a convivial mix of fruity sweetness and hoppy bitterness – each sip is a satisfying balance of sweet malts and bitter hops. If the best IPA beers are about balance and consistency, the Goose Island IPA is undeniably a top contender.

14. The Alchemist Heady Topper

Arguably one of the most coveted IPAs, The Alchemist’s Heady Topper is as legendary as IPAs come. This double IPA is an exquisite package of superior brewing mastery. It pours hazy and has an outstanding hoppy aroma that incorporates tropical fruits, citrusy notes, and a resinous pine undertone. On the palate, the Heady Topper takes you on an unprecedented sensory journey – enormous hop flavors, a touch of biscuity malt sweetness, and a nuanced bitterness that doesn’t overwhelm. It’s this never-ending dance of flavors that crowns the Heady Topper as undoubtedly one of the best IPA beers.

15. Baja Brewing Mexican IPA Por Favor

Traveling south of the border, we find the Baja Brewing Mexican IPA Por Favor. This beer is a testament to the global influence of IPAs. This Mexican craft beer pays homage to the classic IPA roots while waving a Mexican flag through its unique flavor profile. Baja Brewing’s Mexican IPA stands out with a bright golden pour accompanied by a bouquet of hops, sweet malts, and citrus notes. The taste is a delightful equilibrium of hop-induced bitterness and malt-induced sweetness, with a gorgeous citrus zest in the mix. Overall, it’s one IPA you should definitely say “Por Favor” to. It’s not just among the best IPA beers, it’s a downright fiesta in a bottle.

16. Founders All Day IPA

Founders All Day IPA understands the essence of an incredibly balanced brew and will keep you coming back for more, one sip after the other. The idea behind this unique beer was to offer a complex, flavorful IPA at a lower alcohol content, suitable for an easygoing “all-day” adventure. The result? A solid, reliable IPA that talks about balance much more than extreme. It presents a golden straw color with a nice frothy head. The aroma is all floral hops with a hint of citrus.

On tasting, you will be greeted by a perfectly balanced act of mild bitterness and malty sweetness, which is often rare in IPAs. Founders All Day IPA is thus an eternal entrant in the list of best IPA beers, reminding us how harmony in complexity can be beautifully rewarding.

17. Roadhouse Brewery The Walrus

A true standout among IPAs, Roadhouse Brewery’s The Walrus brings something fresh to the table. If hop madness is what you seek in an IPA, this beer has your cravings covered. This IPA pours a pleasing gold color and promises an aromatic pleasure ride from the get-go. The aroma bursts with tropical fruits, floral hops and a touch of maltiness.

As you take your first sip, you’re welcomed by a full-bodied taste profile with an enticing interplay of citrus hop bitterness and a moderate malt backbone. The end is a clean, crisp, and lingering aftertaste that makes you reach for another pint. Roadhouse Brewery’s ‘The Walrus’ manages to leave its unique paw prints on the trail of the best IPA beers.

18. Lagunitas IPA

Next on our IPA exploration is the world-renowned Lagunitas IPA. With its roots in the west coast, Lagunitas IPA is a darling of the masses and a staple in the IPA landscape. Its pour is simply inviting, a crystal clear amber with a creamy white head. The aroma sings the song of hops with accents of pine and citrus.

The flavour sweeps the palate with a balanced bitterness and caramel sweetness, embodying the time-honored craft of traditional IPA brewing. The profile is rounded up with a bitter, dry finish that simply makes you want another sip. Lagunitas IPA stands its ground in among the best IPA beers with a bold statement of quality in a glass.

19. Bell’s Two Hearted Ale

Bell’s Two Hearted Ale is a legendary IPA that has consistently held its spot among the top. The best word to describe this beauty? Balance. The pour is a lovely golden color with a frothy white head. What hits you first is the tantalizing aroma filled with floral and citrus notes from the Centennial hops. As you take your first sip, you get a burst of grapefruit and pine, subtly balanced with a malty sweetness. The finish is crisp and clean, enhancing its drinkability. Bell’s Two Hearted Ale gracefully demonstrates that the key to a great IPA often lies in appreciating the subtleties and maintaining a flawless equilibrium.

20. Lawson’s Finest Liquids Sip of Sunshine IPA

When it comes to bright, floral IPAs, none does it quite like the beer from Lawson’s Finest Liquids Sip of Sunshine IPA. This widely coveted beer has a pale orange pour with a inviting white head. The aroma is a fragrant blend of tropical fruits, citrus, and pine. In the flavor profile, Sip of Sunshine delivers a vibrant citrus punch, accompanied by a pronounced floral character.

The bitterness level is moderate, balanced by a slightly sweet maltiness. The finish? As refreshing as a sunny day. The experience of Lawson’s Sip of Sunshine is all in the name – it’s like a radiant day of spring compacted in one pint, making it one of the brightest stars among the best IPA beers.

21. New Belgium Voodoo Ranger IPA

Trust me when I say, the New Belgium Voodoo Ranger IPA will cast a spell on you with its enchanting blend of flavors. Accented by a clear golden pour and fluffy white head, its charms are evident from the get-go. The aroma carries the scent of juicy mango, pine, and subtle malt. The taste? An eruption of tropical fruit sweetness, a zap of citrus, and the perfect level of bitterness. It’s a sensory delight that finishes off dry and crisp. In a world where bigger and bolder IPA flavors often take center stage, Voodoo Ranger IPA is a reminder that exciting and brilliantly balanced brews can be just as bewitching.

22. Flying Dog Snake Dog IPA

If you’re partial to intensely hoppy and bold brews, then Flying Dog Snake Dog IPA is a must-visit IPA for you. Casually adorned with an amber color and a sufficient white foam head, this IPA leaps straight into action with a robust pine and citrus nose. The taste follows suit, serving a payload of grapefruit tartness, underlined by a sturdy malt backbone. The bitterness here is unmistakable, coming at you like a freight train and providing a long-lasting, resinous finish. Be warned though, this is a beer that bites back, and it’s absolutely for those who love their IPAs loaded with hops. An assertive, satisfying, and characterful IPA, Snake Dog is sure to leave an impression.

23. Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA

I want to finish on a high note, and when discussing the very best IPA beers, there’s no looking past the time-honored Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA. This brew pours a deep amber with a thick, creamy cap that screams quality. The aroma..ahh..it’s enough to make your taste buds dance with anticipation – pine, floral, and caramel malt. As for the taste, brace yourself for a wave of hoppy goodness, playing alongside a caramel malt undertone. It’s well-balanced, leaning towards hops but still maintaining the malty sweetness. The finish offers a pleasing, lingering bitterness that calls you back for the next sip. The Torpedo Extra IPA is a testament to the meticulous craftsmanship of Sierra Nevada, standing as a shining benchmark for IPAs worldwide.

24. Elysian Space Dust IPA

Gazing into the cosmic abyss of Elysian Space Dust IPA, it’s hard not to get lost in the enchanting blend of hops, malt, and fruit. It pours a clear, golden amber with a fine, off-white head that lingers. One sniff and you’re greeting with a banquet of hop-centric aromas – pine, citrus, and a hint of apple. Hastening into the tasty realm, this beer boasts an explosion of pine and fresh citrus upfront, followed by a well-balanced caramel malt flavor to anchor the brew. The finish? Dry, clean, and leaves you itching for another sip, another exploration of this stellar IPA journey. As the name implies, this is an ‘out-of-this-world’ brew. So, lipstick your space suits, buckle up, and prepare for launch with Elysian Space Dust IPA.

25. Bear Republic Racer 5

Concluding this marathon of the best IPA beers, we land on Bear Republic Racer 5. A beloved classic, its reputation in the IPA gaming is legendary. Pouring a warm, orange hue with a rich, creamy head, the Racer 5 sparkles like a jewel in the beer mug. Perfumed with the scents of pine, floral, and a bit of citrus, the aroma alone hints at the excellence that awaits you.

Embarking on the flavor ride, you’ll find a wonderful harmony of prominent hop bite balanced with a substantial malt backbone offering slight caramel sweetness. The finish is pleasingly bitter, promising a pleasurable palate experience. Riding the line between aggression and finesse, Bear Republic Racer 5 races right into the heart of every IPA lover.

Why are IPAs So Popular Among Beer Lovers?

IPA beers have been stealing the limelight in the beer world for some time now, but what makes them so beloved among beer enthusiasts? Well, there are a few factors that have led to their rise in popularity.

Firstly, the bold and complex flavors of IPAs are unlike anything else in the beer world. The unique combinations of hops used in the brewing process give rise to a variety of flavors – from floral and fruit notes to piney and bitter undertones. The flavor journey does not end there. With each sip, drinkers are treated to a burst of malt sweetness that balances out the bitterness, making each pint a well-rounded, flavorful experience.

Secondly, the creativity and innovation on display in the world of IPAs are unmatched. Brewers continuously experiment with different varieties of hops, fruit additions, and fermentation techniques to create unique and exciting flavor profiles. This thirst for innovation keeps IPA lovers continuously coming back for more, eager to try the latest and greatest brews.

Lastly, there’s an aspect of regional pride too. Different regions have their takes on the IPA, each boasting a distinct flavor profile. There’s a sense of camaraderie among craft beer enthusiasts, and nothing brings people together quite like supporting local breweries.

How Does the Brewing Process Affect the Taste of IPAs?

Now, let’s dip our toes into the brewing process to understand how it influences the taste of IPAs. The process of brewing an IPA is somewhat a labor of love, involving a delicate balance of ingredients and precise timing.

Firstly, the most important ingredient in an IPA is the hops. Hops give IPAs their signature bitterness, and the type of hops used can greatly influence the taste. Several types of hops are used in brewing IPAs, each imparting a distinct flavor. For instance, American hops are known for their citrusy and piney notes, while English hops give off a floral and earthy aroma.

Next is the malt. Malt forms the backbone of any beer, providing the sweet balance to the hop bitterness in an IPA. Brewers adjust the malt to hop ratio carefully to create either a balance or a lean towards bitterness.

Finally, the brewing process also involves the art of fermentation. This is where yeast consumes the sweet malt sugars, creating alcohol and various flavor compounds. The choice of yeast strain can impact the beer’s taste, as different strains produce different flavors.

Each step of the brewing process varies from brewery to brewery, leading to the diverse range of IPAs available on the market today. So, whether you’re a die-hard IPA fan or new to the game, there’s sure to be an IPA out there that perfectly suits your palate.

Also Read: Best Italian Beer Brands

Frequently Asked Questions