Five Great National IPA’s Available in Indiana to Try on National IPA Day

Five Great National IPA’s Available in Indiana to Try on National IPA Day

Andrew DickeyBy Andrew Dickey for Indiana On Tap

India Pale Ales are as popular as ever right now.  A style once created as a preservative for beer to make long trips overseas was reinvigorated in the 70s by the fledgling craft brew industry.  Now with the explosion of craft breweries over the last decade, there are plenty of good IPAs made nationwide.  They are as hip as ever, and most beer bars devote several taps to the style.

August 7 is National IPA Day, and I’m pleased that this style of beer has come so far.  While there are hundreds of fine IPAs made in this country, I selected what I think are five of the best IPAs made outside of Indiana.  I only chose beers that are available in Indiana, so I had to exclude fine breweries like Terrapin and Cigar City because they aren’t available here.  I also excluded Sam Adams and Sierra Nevada because they make so many different IPA’s that  it’s difficult to pick a dominant one.  Honorable mention goes to Stone Brewing for their Enjoy By IPA’s, but I was trying to go with the five best IPAs that come in standard bottles.  So, no Imperial or flavored IPAs, just good old hoppy ones!   People that like IPAs all have their favorites, and beer rating is slightly subjective, so I offer five that I think are excellent, but I totally think there is room to add others to this list.

First on my list is Bell’s Two-Hearted Ale, one of the most loved IPAs in our state and a beer I liked long before I was into IPAs.  It is big at 7% ABV and is well-balanced and malty, as well as clean and hoppy.  It is satisfying out of a bottle, but also superb on tap.  I know this is a popular choice, and I think this beer is clearly deserving of my list.

New Belgium was once an exotic brewery and people traveled far and wide for Fat Tire, but since 2009, their beers have been available in Indiana. I have always foundtheir hoppy beers to be top notch.  The New Belgium Ranger IPA has been one of my favorites since I had it in a sample pack a few years ago.  At 6.5% ABV, it is an intense IPA, and very herbal and piney. It gives notes of citrus and is a very clean and tasty ale.  I find it to be not overly bitter and pleasant to drink.  It is well-balanced, and a great summer IPA.

Goose Island’s IPA has a special place for me. In 2006, my brother brought a six pack of it to my house and my then novice palate was blown away by its deep hop flavor.  I have gone back to it many times and am never disappointed.  It is a nice beer that is hoppy, yet malty, and brings a satisfying flavor.  It is not overbearing at 5.9% ABV with 55 IBU’s, but it is very flavorful, and a great session IPA.

Not surprisingly, the only DIPA in my five is Dogfish Head’s 90 Minute IPA.  I have always found it exceptionable and smoothly drinkable even though it’s 9% ABV with 90 IBU’s.  It gives off a pleasant aroma of malt, orange peel, and delectable hops.  The balance of malt and hops is quite excellent.  It is boldly hoppy, but it drinks smooth.  I for one am glad the Dogfish Head is once again available in Indiana.

Several years ago, I was at a house party and the best IPAs ever made was discussed.  I remember Lagunitas was mentioned, and I was very excited when I got to try it in New York City in 2012.  It is 6.2% ABV with a piney aroma, and drinks very well-balanced.  Satisfying from its bold aroma to the hoppy malt flavor, it is a big IPA, and certainly one of the best on the market.

So those are my picks for five of the best national IPA’s, but it is a topic I think is obviously open for discussion.  It’s a style I enjoy very much, and these five are some of the best available in Indiana.  There are many good IPAs to choose from, (especially our abundant local options), so make sure if you’re a fan of IPA’s, you hold one and share one on August 7!

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