Craft beer fans are always looking for new beers, exciting and rare beers to try out, especially fresh, dank IPAs. While these certainly might not be the best IPAs (although convincing a room full of thirsty beer nerds otherwise might be difficult), these India Pale Ales are hard to track down due to limited production, small distribution, or a combination of the two. Here’s our list of the fifteen of the most sought-after IPAs… consider it a bucket list:
15 Most Sought-After IPAs in America
1. Heady Topper from The Alchemist
Vermont, 8.0% ABV
Heady Topper bursts with fruit flavors and a moderate amount of bitterness. When sampling Heady Topper, it is best advised to drink straight from the can.
2. Focal Banger from The Alchemist
Vermont, 7.0% ABV
The Alchemist is one of the most popular craft breweries on this list, with its second beer, Focal Banger. This craft beer contains hints of grapefruit and mango with a light to medium body and carbonation.
3. Abner from Hill Farmstead
Vermont, 8.2% ABV
Abner is a DIPA made with American malted barley and American hops. Abner also contains flowery hints, as well as hints of citrus and pine.
4. Todd the Axe Man from Surly Brewing
Minnesota, 7.2% ABV
As a West Coast-style IPA, Todd the Axe Man is a Golden Promise Malt with both Citra and Mosaic hops.
5. Zombie Dust from Three Floyds
Indiana, 6.2% ABV
Okay, it’s not technically an IPA, but this hoppy pale ale is so good we had to include it on the list. Zombie Dust is a Pale Ale with an aroma of orange and grapefruit. This beer as a lightly bitter finish, a medium body, and a slightly high carbonation level.
6. Nelson from Alpine Beer Company
California, 7.0% ABV
Nelson from Alpine Beer is a Golden Rye made with hop from New Zealand. The addition of European rye makes this a unique beer with a smooth and malty flavor.
7. 2×4 DIPA from Melvin Brewing
Wyoming, 10.0% ABV
The 2×4 DIPA smells of citrus fruits, grass and pine but tastes like orange peel, grapefruit, and mango. It also has a medium carbonation and medium body.
8. 120 Minute IPA from Dogfish Head
Delaware, 18.0% ABV
The 120 Minute has an ABV of 15-20%, so be careful when you sample this beer. Dogfish Head uses high-alpha American hops when brewing this beer.
9. King Sue from Toppling Goliath Brewing Co.
Iowa, 8.0% ABV
The King Sue offers a golden and orange color that delivers scents like pineapple, mango, pine, grapefruit and grass but offers a very pleasant bitterness and dry finish.
10. Hopslam from Bell’s Brewing
Michigan, 10.0% ABV
Bell’s Brewing uses six different kinds of hop in creating its Hopslam beer. The beer creates a blend of grapefruit, stone fruit, and floral notes. This DIPA also provides a bit of honey aftertaste, leaving a hint of sweetness.
11. Dinner from Maine Beer Co.
Maine, 8.2% ABV
To Create their Dinner DIPA, Maine Beer Company uses six pounds of hops for each barrel. If you’re not a fan of tropical flavors, Dinner can be a great beer for you.
12. Pliny the Younger from Russian River Brewing
California, 10.25% ABV
As a Triple IPA, Pliny the Younger is hopped three times more than what is standard and has aromas of grapefruit and orange, with a few floral notes.
13. Julius from Tree House Brewing
Massachusetts, 6.8% ABV
Julius uses notes from passionfruit, mango, and citrus to create this beer. With an ABV of 6.5% Julius is great if you’re looking for a drinkable beer.
14. Triple Play IPA from Lawson’s Finest
Vermont, 7.0% ABV
Triple Play has a moderate carbonation and a medium body with a taste of grapefruit and other bits of citrus. Triple Play is pleasantly sweet without being overpowering.
15. Congress Street IPA from Trillium Brewing
Massachusetts, 7.2% ABV
Congress Street uses scents from pineapple, melon, citrus, and pine with flavors of peach, clementine and tropical fruits. It has a medium carbonation and medium body.
Give these fifteen beers a try! You might just find your next favorite IPA.
