Paul Kushner
If you’re a beer lover, chances are you’ve had at least one IPA that completely changed the way you think about beer. India Pale Ales have grown from a niche craft beer option to one of the most popular styles on tap, and for good reason. With their bold hop character, wide range of flavors, and endless variety of substyles, there’s an IPA out there for just about every kind of drinker. Whether you prefer a crisp and bitter West Coast IPA, a smooth and fruity hazy IPA, or a big and bold double IPA, the options today are better than ever.
In this list, we rounded up some of the best IPAs worth trying right now. With thousands of breweries currently operating across the country, the competition is tough, and that only pushes brewers to keep raising the bar. From well-known names to hidden gems at your local bottle shop, these picks are a solid starting point for your next beer run.
#30 – Brewdog Punk IPA
BrewDog Punk IPA is one of the most recognized craft beers on the market, and its reputation has spread far and wide since it was first brewed in 2007. This IPA quickly became a go-to choice for beer fans who wanted something with more character than your average lager. It sits at 5.4% ABV and is brewed using a mix of hops including Citra, Simcoe, Mosaic, and Loral, giving it a crisp, bold, and fruit-forward flavor that keeps people coming back. On the palate, you get a nice hit of grapefruit, pineapple, and lychee, followed by a clean, bitter finish. It’s not overly heavy, which makes it easy to drink without losing any of that hop punch. Whether you’re new to IPAs or have been drinking them for years, Punk IPA is one of those beers that consistently delivers. It’s widely available, well-priced, and a solid pick for anyone looking for a reliable craft IPA.
#29 – pFriem Hazy Sabro
pFriem Hazy Sabro IPA is a New England-style IPA from pFriem Family Brewers, a craft brewery that has earned multiple awards including being named GABF Mid-Size Brewing Company of the Year in 2018. Coming in at 6.6% ABV and 25 IBUs, this beer is built around the Sabro hop, which is known for its unique and distinct fruity character. From the moment you crack one open, you get big aromas of papaya, key lime, peach, and cantaloupe that are hard to miss. The flavor follows through with citrus, nectarine, and lychee notes before finishing with a long, sweet grapefruit tail. It pours a hazy, golden orange with a frothy white head, and the body is smooth and well-balanced without being too heavy. If you enjoy hop-forward beers that are full of fruit character but still easy to drink, pFriem Hazy Sabro IPA is absolutely worth picking up.
#28 – Night Shift Santilli
Night Shift Santilli is the flagship IPA from Night Shift Brewing and one of the more well-known craft IPAs on the market today. It has picked up multiple awards over the years and carries strong ratings across major beer review platforms, which speaks to just how consistent and well-made this beer is. Coming in at 6% ABV, Santilli pours bright gold with a nose of grapefruit zest and pine needles. On the palate, you get big citrus flavors up front with a light malty sweetness, finishing clean, crisp, and pleasantly bitter. It’s a well-balanced, smooth-drinking IPA that leans toward a West Coast style without being overly aggressive. For anyone who enjoys a classic, hop-forward beer with real character, Santilli is a solid choice worth adding to your next beer run.
#27 – Goose Island IPA
Goose Island IPA is the flagship IPA from Goose Island Beer Co. and one of the most recognized craft IPAs available year-round. It has earned multiple medals at the Great American Beer Festival, making it one of the more decorated beers in its category. Coming in at 5.9% ABV and 55 IBUs, it is brewed with Cascade, and Centennial hops, giving it a bold and well-rounded hop character that appeals to a wide range of IPA drinkers. It pours a light golden amber with citrus aromas of grapefruit and pine, along with subtle floral notes. On the palate, you get a nice mix of sweet grainy malt, lychee, orange, and lemon, followed by a firm bitterness that finishes dry and clean. The body is medium and easy to drink, which makes it approachable without sacrificing any of that hop-forward punch. If you’re looking for a reliable, full-flavored IPA that holds up every single time, Goose Island IPA is a great pick.
#26 – Deschutes Fresh Squeezed
Deschutes Fresh Squeezed IPA is one of the most popular year-round craft IPAs on the market, and it’s easy to see why it has built such a loyal following over the years. Coming in at 6.4% ABV and 60 IBUs, this American IPA is known for its bold citrus and tropical fruit character that comes entirely from its hop-forward brewing process, with no actual fruit added. It pours a clear golden orange with a bright white head, and the aroma hits you right away with notes of orange, grapefruit, mango, and tropical fruit. Despite having a bold hop presence, it stays approachable and easy to drink from start to finish. For anyone who loves a citrus-forward IPA that delivers big flavor without being overpowering, Fresh Squeezed is a go-to option worth keeping in your fridge.
#25 – Toppling Goliath King Sue
Toppling Goliath King Sue is the kind of double IPA that makes a serious impression the moment you crack open the can. At 7.8% ABV and 100+ IBUs, this is not a beer that plays it safe. The pour is a deep, hazy golden orange with a thick, creamy head that sticks around, and the aroma alone is enough to grab your attention. Tropical fruit notes of mango, tangerine, and pineapple come through strong right from the start, setting the tone for what’s ahead. What truly sets King Sue apart from other double IPAs is how smooth and drinkable it feels despite its size and intensity. It’s the kind of beer that makes you slow down and actually pay attention to what’s in your glass.
#24 – Bear Republic Racer 5
Bear Republic Racer 5 has earned its place as one of the most decorated West Coast IPAs in craft beer, and one sip tells you exactly why. At 7.5% ABV and 75 IBUs, this is a full-bodied, hop-driven beer that leans hard into the classic West Coast style. The aroma opens with citrus, pine, and a touch of caramel, while the taste brings forward notes of orange, apricot, and resinous pine with a bitterness that builds gradually and finishes dry and clean. What makes Racer 5 stand out isn’t just the flavor, it’s the consistency. Every can and every pour delivers the same reliable, well-balanced experience that hop lovers keep coming back for. It’s not trying to be trendy or experimental. It’s simply a well-crafted, honest IPA that does exactly what it sets out to do, and does it better than most. For fans of the West Coast style, this one belongs in your regular rotation.
#23 – Alpine Nelson
Alpine Nelson is one of those beers that doesn’t need to shout to get your attention. The moment you pour it, the hazy straw color and fluffy white head already hint at something a little different from the usual IPA lineup. At 7% ABV and 40 IBUs, the bitterness is kept deliberately low, letting the hop character do the talking in a much more subtle and nuanced way. The aroma is tropical and fragrant without being loud, and the taste follows the same philosophy. Citrus, pine, and a gentle fruitiness work together in a way that feels balanced rather than aggressive. It’s the kind of IPA that rewards you the more you drink it, because the layers of flavor become more noticeable as you go.
#22 – Firestone Walker Union Jack
Firestone Walker Union Jack is exactly what a West Coast IPA should be, bold, unapologetic, and packed with flavor from the first sip to the last. Coming in at 7.5% ABV and around 70 IBUs, this is a beer that was built for hop lovers who want the full experience without any compromise. It’s dry hopped multiple times, which explains why the aroma hits you so hard with pineapple, grapefruit, and citrus zest the moment you crack open the can. The taste is equally assertive, leading with tropical fruit and citrus before shifting into a firm, resinous pine bitterness that sticks around on the finish in a way that’s genuinely satisfying. A touch of honey-like malt sweetness keeps it from going overboard, giving the whole thing a sense of balance that a beer this hop-forward doesn’t always achieve. If you consider yourself a serious IPA drinker, Union Jack is one of those benchmarks that belongs on your list.
#21 – Trillium Congress Street
Trillium Congress Street is a flagship hazy IPA that has built a dedicated following among craft beer fans who appreciate a beer with real depth and complexity. At 7.2% ABV, it pours a cloudy golden orange with a soft, fluffy white head that sets the tone for what’s ahead. The aroma is immediately inviting, opening up with pine, citrus rind, melon, and pineapple in a way that feels fresh and layered rather than one-dimensional. The bitterness is moderate and well-placed, cutting through just enough sweetness to keep each sip feeling clean and refreshing. The mouthfeel is soft and full without being heavy, making it surprisingly easy to drink for a beer with this much going on. Congress Street is the kind of IPA that shows just how good a hazy can be when the brewing is done right.
#20 – Surly Axe Man
Surly Axe Man has developed a serious reputation among IPA enthusiasts, and spending some time with a can makes it easy to understand why. The beer pours a deep, hazy golden orange that looks almost like fresh pressed juice, and the aroma follows through with a burst of tropical fruit, citrus, and a touch of pine that fills the glass immediately. At 7.2% ABV, it sits comfortably in that sweet spot where the alcohol is present but never gets in the way of the drinking experience. The flavor is where Axe Man really shines, delivering a rich and satisfying combination of pineapple, grapefruit, and orange that feels bold without being overwhelming. The mouthfeel is full and smooth, with a dry, clean finish that makes each sip feel complete. There’s a confidence to this beer that sets it apart from the crowd. It knows exactly what it is, and it pulls it off with zero hesitation.
#19 – Other Half Forever Ever
Other Half Forever Ever proves that you don’t need a high alcohol content to pack serious hop flavor into a beer. Coming in at just 4.7% ABV, this session IPA is double dry-hopped and loaded with citrus, tropical fruit, and floral aromas that punch well above its weight class. It pours a hazy, pale straw yellow with a soft white head, and the nose delivers an inviting mix of peach, mango, citrus peel, and passion fruit that makes it easy to keep coming back for more. The taste is bright and juicy up front, with a light malty backbone and a clean, moderately bitter finish that keeps each sip feeling refreshing rather than heavy. Forever Ever is the kind of session IPA that makes you forget you’re drinking something light. It drinks with the confidence of a full-strength IPA and that’s exactly what makes it stand out.
#18 – Elysian Space Dust
Elysian Space Dust is the standout IPA from Seattle-based Elysian Brewing, and it has built a loyal following among craft beer drinkers who want something with real weight and character. Coming in at 8.2% ABV and 73 IBUs, it sits in double IPA territory, but what’s interesting about Space Dust is how deceptively smooth it drinks for a beer of its size. The aroma opens with a generous wave of candied grapefruit, mango, and orange, giving it an immediately appealing quality that pulls you in before the first sip. The flavor is bold and hop-forward, with a firm bitterness that builds gradually and finishes dry and clean without any alcohol heat getting in the way. There’s enough malt presence to keep the sweetness in check, giving the whole experience a well-rounded quality that bigger IPAs don’t always manage to pull off. Space Dust is the kind of beer that earns its place on any serious IPA list.
#17 – Hill Farmstead Susan
Hill Farmstead Susan is a beer that rewards patience and attention in equal measure. At 6% ABV and 80 IBUs, it delivers more complexity than its modest alcohol content might suggest, making it the kind of IPA that keeps you thinking about what you’re tasting rather than just drinking through it. The pour is a hazy, sunny golden color with a tight white head that holds up well throughout. The aroma brings together citrus, floral tones, and a quiet earthiness that sets it apart from the usual hop-forward crowd. Grapefruit, mango, and lime flavors come through clearly on the palate, anchored by a dry, mineral bitterness that builds steadily and finishes clean without any lingering harshness. The body is light enough to stay refreshing but has enough substance to feel satisfying. For a beer sitting at 6%, Susan punches well above its weight and makes a strong case for why restraint in brewing can produce something truly worth drinking.
#16 – New Belgium Voodoo Ranger
New Belgium Voodoo Ranger IPA has become one of the most recognizable names in the craft beer aisle, and its popularity makes a lot of sense once you crack one open. This is a dry-hopped IPA that clocks in at 7% ABV, built around a tropical and citrus-forward hop character that comes through right from the first whiff. The pour is a clean, light golden color with a modest white head, and the aroma greets you with a pleasant combination of tropical fruit, citrus, and a subtle floral quality that keeps things interesting without being overpowering. What makes Voodoo Ranger IPA stand out from the crowded IPA shelf is how effortlessly drinkable it is. It’s the kind of beer that works just as well for seasoned IPA drinkers as it does for those just getting into the style.
#15 – Maine Beer Co. Lunch
Maine Beer Co. Lunch is one of those IPAs that quietly sits at the top of a lot of people’s lists without making much noise about it. Coming in at 7% ABV, this American IPA takes an East Coast approach to a West Coast style, and the result is something genuinely worth tracking down. The taste is where Lunch really earns its reputation, delivering a well-layered combination of orange, grapefruit, lemon, and hints of guava and papaya, all tied together by a subtle caramel malt sweetness that keeps the bitterness from taking over completely. The mouthfeel is lighter than you might expect, which makes it surprisingly easy to drink while still feeling full of flavor.
#14 – The Alchemist Focal Banger
The Alchemist Focal Banger is one of the most talked-about IPAs in the craft beer scene, and it is easy to see why so many people love it. This beer comes in at 7% ABV and is packed with big, bold hop flavor that hits you right away. It pours a hazy golden color with a fluffy white head that looks great in the glass. The smell is full of grapefruit, orange, and tropical fruit that makes you want to take a sip right away. The taste is just as good, with juicy citrus flavors and a touch of pine that balance out nicely with a clean, slightly bitter finish. It is the kind of IPA that is hard to put down once you start drinking it.
#13 – Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing
Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing is one of the easiest IPAs to love, and that is a big reason why it has become one of the best-selling hazy IPAs around. At 6.7% ABV and 35 IBUs, it is brewed unfiltered and unprocessed, which means it goes straight from the tanks into the can with all its hop flavor fully intact. It pours a hazy golden color with a soft white head, and the smell is full of orange, pineapple, and mango that feels fresh and inviting. The taste is fruity and juicy right away, with a silky malt body that makes each sip feel smooth and easy. The bitterness is kept low on purpose, so the fruit flavors really get to shine without anything getting in the way. It is not too heavy and not too light, which makes it a great beer for just about any occasion. If you want a hazy IPA that always hits the spot, this is one of the best ones to grab.
#12 – Cigar City Jai Alai
Cigar City Jai Alai is one of those IPAs that a lot of beer fans keep coming back to, and it is not hard to see why. This bold American IPA comes in at 7.5% ABV and 65 IBUs, and it is brewed with six different hop varieties that give it a really full and layered flavor. It pours a clear amber color with a nice off-white head that sticks around for a good while. The smell is bright and fruity, with tangerine, candied orange peel, and a touch of mango that grabs your attention right away. When you take a sip, you get a big hit of clementine and Valencia orange up front, followed by a subtle caramel sweetness and a firm but smooth bitterness that ties everything together.
#11 – Russian River Blind Pig
Russian River Blind Pig is a West Coast IPA that a lot of serious beer fans consider a must-try at least once. At 6.25% ABV, it is not the biggest beer on the shelf, but what it does with that modest alcohol level is really impressive. The smell is full of pine resin, grapefruit, and a touch of citrus that gives it that classic West Coast character. The taste is hop-forward and bold, with a quick burst of citrus sweetness that quickly gives way to a firm, dry, piney bitterness that builds as you drink. Every sip feels intentional, balanced, and very well made.
#10 – Founders All Day IPA
Founders All Day IPA is the kind of beer that fits just about any situation. At only 4.7% ABV and 42 IBUs, this session IPA is made for people who want real hop flavor without the heaviness of a full-strength beer. It pours a light golden color with a soft, creamy head that fades quickly. The smell is fresh and pleasant, with hints of citrus, orange, tangerine, and a little bit of pine that make it feel lively and clean. The taste is light and crisp, with a gentle citrus sweetness up front and a mild bitterness that finishes dry and refreshing without sticking around too long. It is a smart, well-made beer that is always a good idea no matter what time of day it is.
#9 – Stone IPA
Stone IPA has been around long enough to earn the title of a true craft beer classic, and it still manages to impress every single time. Pick up a can and the first thing you notice is how clean and golden it looks in the glass, with a crisp white head that tells you exactly what kind of beer you are about to drink. The hop aroma is big and immediate, with citrus and pine coming through loud and clear from the very first sniff. Take a sip and you get that same bold, hop-forward punch, with tropical and citrus flavors leading the way before a dry, bitter finish wraps everything up neatly. At 6.9% ABV and 71 IBUs, it has just enough strength to feel satisfying without going overboard. It is the kind of IPA that never needs a gimmick to get your attention because the beer itself does all the talking.
#8 – Ballast Point Sculpin
Ballast Point Sculpin has a loyal following in the craft beer scene, and the beer itself gives you a very clear reason why right from the very first sip. What makes Sculpin stand out from most other IPAs is how it was made. The hops are added at five separate stages during brewing, which gives the beer a level of depth and complexity that you do not often find in a standard IPA. At 7% ABV and 70 IBUs, it pours a bright golden color with a clean white head and a nice crispness right from the start. The aroma is fresh and fruity, with apricot, peach, mango, and lemon coming through in a way that feels light and inviting rather than heavy or overpowering. The taste is just as good, with tropical fruit and citrus flavors taking the lead before a dry, bitter finish wraps things up cleanly. For a beer with this much hop character, it drinks surprisingly smooth and easy from start to finish.
#7 – Lawson’s Sip of Sunshine
Lawson’s Sip of Sunshine is the kind of beer that beer lovers go out of their way to find, and it is absolutely worth the effort. Coming in at 8% ABV and 65 IBUs, this IPA packs way more flavor than most beers at this strength without ever feeling too heavy or too boozy. It pours a glowing golden orange with a thick, creamy foam that rises generously from the glass. The smell is bright and full of life, with floral aromas, pineapple, tangerine, and grapefruit coming through in a way that makes the beer feel fresh and lively right away. The taste is rich and layered, with juicy tropical fruit flavors sitting front and center while a touch of caramel malt sweetness and a pleasant hop bitterness keep everything nicely in check. Sip of Sunshine is simply a very well-made IPA that lives up to every bit of its reputation.
#6 – Tree House Julius
Tree House Julius is a hazy IPA that has earned a devoted fan base for all the right reasons. At 6.8% ABV, it pours a thick, cloudy orange color with a soft white head that looks great in the glass. The smell is full of mango, peach, passion fruit, and citrus that makes you want to take a sip right away. The taste is juicy and smooth, with big tropical fruit flavors that come through clearly from start to finish. The bitterness is soft and easy, so nothing gets in the way of all that great fruit flavor. If you have never tried it before, it is absolutely worth going out of your way to find.
#5 – Bell’s Two Hearted IPA
Bell’s Two Hearted IPA is proof that keeping things simple can produce something truly great. While most modern IPAs chase complexity with a long list of hops, this beer relies on just one variety to get the job done, and the result speaks for itself. At 7% ABV and 55 IBUs, it pours a clean, bright amber color with a generous white head and good lacing. The smell is fresh and inviting, with pine resin, grapefruit, and floral notes that feel classic and well put together. The taste is balanced and satisfying, with a nice mix of citrus and pine flavors riding on top of a solid malt backbone that keeps everything grounded. The bitterness is firm but never sharp, finishing clean and dry without any harshness. It is the kind of beer you can drink any day of the week without ever getting tired of it.
#4 – Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA
Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA does something that not many beers can pull off, and that is being both easy to drink and genuinely full of flavor at the same time. What makes this beer different from most IPAs is how it is brewed. More than 60 hop additions are made continuously throughout the entire 60 minute boil, which gives it a level of hop character that feels layered and smooth rather than sharp or harsh. At 6% ABV and 60 IBUs, it pours a clear honey gold color with a nice off white head. The smell is clean and citrusy, with grapefruit, pine, and a touch of floral notes that feel fresh and balanced. The taste is crisp and well rounded, with citrus, cedar, and candied orange flavors that come through clearly without ever going overboard on the bitterness. For anyone who wants a reliable, well made IPA that never lets you down, this is a great pick.
#3 – Lagunitas IPA
Lagunitas IPA is one of those beers you can find just about anywhere, and that kind of wide availability has done nothing to hurt its reputation. At 6.2% ABV and 51 IBUs, this West Coast IPA is clean, clear, and packed with the kind of hop flavor that keeps people reaching for another. The taste is sharp and satisfying, with citrus and pine leading the way before a dry, resinous bitterness takes over and lingers just long enough on the finish. The mouthfeel is crisp and light, which makes it very easy to drink even with all that hop intensity going on. Lagunitas IPA is a no fuss, always reliable beer that earns its spot on any IPA list.
#2 – Heady Topper (The Alchemist)
Heady Topper by The Alchemist is one of the most sought after double IPAs in craft beer, and its reputation is built entirely on how good it actually tastes. At 8% ABV, this unfiltered and unpasteurized double IPA is brewed with a blend of six hops that work together to give you wave after wave of hop flavor without any harsh or bitter finish getting in the way. The brewery even recommends drinking it straight from the can to keep all that hop aroma locked in and fresh. It pours a hazy light orange with a soft white head, and the smell is loaded with pine, citrus, tropical fruit, and a touch of earthy spice that comes through in layers. Every sip brings orange, grapefruit, and pineapple flavors front and center, backed by a light malt base that keeps things balanced without stealing the spotlight from the hops. For a beer sitting at 8%, it drinks with a smoothness and ease that catches a lot of people off guard. Heady Topper is simply one of the best double IPAs ever made.
#1 – Pliny the Elder (Russian River)
Pliny the Elder by Russian River Brewing is the kind of beer that changes the way you think about double IPAs. At 8% ABV and 100 IBUs, it has every reason to be loud and aggressive, but instead it does something far more impressive. It stays clean, balanced, and incredibly smooth from the very first sip to the very last drop. The pour is a gorgeous clear golden amber with a firm white head that tells you right away this beer was made with real care and attention. The smell wraps you in fresh grapefruit, pine, and floral hop aromas that feel bright and alive rather than heavy or sharp. On the palate, citrus and pine come through with a confidence that only a truly well-crafted beer can carry, all held together by just enough malt sweetness to keep the bitterness in check. There is a reason people drive long distances just to get a can of this. Pliny the Elder does not just meet the hype. It exceeds it every single time.
Everything You Need to Know About IPA Beer Before Your First Sip
India Pale Ale, better known as IPA, is the most popular craft beer style in the country, and it has been holding that title for quite some time now. IPAs account for nearly half of all craft beer sales, and that kind of dominance did not happen overnight. The style’s rise closely mirrors the growth of the American craft beer movement, with both feeding off each other for decades. The IPA is so deeply woven into craft beer culture that many credit it as one of the key reasons the industry grew as fast as it did. On beer tracking platforms, IPAs consistently lead all other styles by a wide margin in terms of check-ins and reviews, showing just how passionate drinkers are about the style.
What makes IPAs so interesting is how much variety exists within the style itself. From crisp and bitter West Coast IPAs to soft and fruit-forward hazy IPAs, there is a version of this beer for just about every kind of drinker. Bitterness in IPAs is measured using the IBU scale, which stands for International Bitterness Units, and the range varies widely depending on the style and the brewer’s intent. Dry hopping is one of the most common techniques used in IPA brewing, where hops are added after fermentation to boost aroma without increasing bitterness. It is this constant room for creativity and experimentation that keeps brewers pushing the style forward and keeps drinkers coming back for more.
FAQs About IPA Beer
What is the difference between a West Coast IPA and a Hazy IPA?
West Coast IPAs are clear, crisp, and dry with a firm bitterness and strong pine and citrus hop character. Hazy IPAs, also called New England IPAs, are unfiltered, giving them a cloudy appearance. They tend to be softer and more fruit-forward, with tropical fruit flavors and a lower perceived bitterness, even when the IBU count is similar to a West Coast IPA.
Does a higher IBU always mean a more bitter beer?
Not always. IBU measures the bitterness potential from hop compounds, but how bitter a beer actually tastes depends on other factors like malt sweetness, body, and how dry the finish is. A beer with a high IBU but a full, malty body can still feel smooth, while a lower IBU beer with a very dry finish can come across as quite sharp and bitter on the palate.
How fresh should an IPA be when you drink it?
Freshness matters a lot with IPAs, especially hop-forward ones. Most breweries recommend drinking IPAs within a few weeks to a few months of the canning or bottling date. Hop aroma and flavor fade over time, so the fresher the beer, the more vibrant and alive it tastes. Always check the canning date on the package before buying whenever possible.
What does double IPA mean?
A double IPA, also called a DIPA or Imperial IPA, is a stronger and more hop-intense version of a standard IPA. It uses a larger amount of hops and malt to create a bigger, bolder flavor profile with a noticeably higher alcohol content. Despite the extra strength, well-made double IPAs can still be surprisingly smooth and drinkable when brewed with care and balance.
Can IPAs be paired with food?
Yes, and they pair really well with bold, flavorful dishes. The bitterness and carbonation in an IPA cut through rich or spicy food, making each bite taste cleaner and more balanced. IPAs go especially well with spicy dishes, grilled meats, sharp cheeses, and fried foods. The hop character in the beer can also complement citrus-forward dishes and anything with strong, savory flavors.
