Few styles have evolved faster than IPA. Much of what sells in this hugely popular category is virtually unrecognizable compared to the beers that defined it a mere decade ago. But in this era of softness, haze, and rethought fruit-forward West Coast iterations, what beers do brewers themselves like to drink? We asked five for their faves.
Highland Park Hello LA
Evan Price, co-owner and brewer, Green Cheek Beer in Orange, California
“Drinking Bob’s beers might just make you rethink your profession. The guy is good at making every beer style, which is absolute bullshit, and this clear and bitter IPA from him is no different. Punchy on the aromatics and flavor, with a firm bitterness that is never harsh. Dude is one of the greats. I give up.”
Widowmaker Blue Comet
Dino Funari, cofounder, Vitamin Sea Brewing in Weymouth, Massachusetts
“Blue Comet from Widowmaker Brewing in Braintree, Massachusetts, is an IPA that I search out whenever they release it. We’re fortunate that they are close by to us, so we get our hands on it regularly. Packed with Simcoe, Comet, and a kiss of Citra hops, it’s like a NEIPA with West Coast roots. Two-row, white wheat, flaked oats, and Golden Promise round out the malt bill to produce a crisp, clean, easy-drinking IPA. Don’t sleep on this up-and-coming brewery!”
Smuttynose Finestkind
Noah Bissell, cofounder, Bissell Brothers Brewery in Portland, Maine
“Smuttynose Finestkind forcibly opened my eyes to the wonders of hops, and honestly never got the measure of acclaim it warrants. It sits perfectly in the middle of East and West Coast style, raw in all the ways, with an elusive dryness most beers only dream to have.”
Mountains Walking Nelson Sauvin Cloud Curtain
Mark Hastings, Director of Brewing Operations, Überbrew/By All Means Brew Lab in Billings, Montana
“It’s a big beer, but it drinks soft and smooth, especially on a warm day like today in Montana. It goes down nice and easy, and you can get in trouble with the 8.5-percent ABV. It’s hazy, but I wouldn’t put it as sweet, and at 20 IBUs is a gentle giant. I’m an aroma guy, so if I’m falling in love with it, it’s got a big aroma. I’ve always loved Nelson Sauvin, and that hop variety makes it easy drinking, with big aromatics but no hop burn, no bite. I’ve had it at least six times in the last few months.”
Finback Oscillation
Karl Volstad, owner/head brewer, Civil Society Brewing in Jupiter, Florida
“The Oscillation series from Finback is always one of my favorites to drink. Those guys are continually pushing the boundaries of what hoppy beers can be. We have brewed with them multiple times and come away with a wealth of knowledge each time.”