Best IPA

Cantstandsya

Ever since I tried Of Foam and Fury I've been trying any IPA I can find, be it in bottle in the off licence or on tap at the pub. Problem is that none have matched Foam and Fury for me and it's a bit pricey bottle wise and, at 8.5%, liver health wise.

Question I have is, does anyone recommend anything approaching the taste/loveliness of Of Foam and Fury that's maybe a little cheaper for a bottle?

themandan6611

founders centennial ipa - 7.2%, 4 x 355mls for €10

98 on rate beer and high on beer advocate

you wont go wrong

Lovely Bloke

Pliny The Elder is "the best beer in the world", but

1. it's hardly ever available in Ireland
2. it's hardly ever fresh

2 is important as the hop aromas will deteriorate over a short enough time in highly-hopped beers.

For a slightly different IPA tack, you could do worse than Brehon's Stony Grey IPA, it's more piney and resinous than cirtus and floral.

lk67

Baldy Conscience wrote: »

For a slightly different IPA tack, you could do worse than Brehon's Stony Grey IPA, it's more piney and resinous than cirtus and floral.

This is a fantastic beer, as is all of their range.

Very underrated imo.

billythefish99

Cantstandsya wrote: »

Ever since I tried Of Foam and Fury I've been trying any IPA I can find, be it in bottle in the off licence or on tap at the pub. Problem is that none have matched Foam and Fury for me and it's a bit pricey bottle wise and, at 8.5%, liver health wise.

Question I have is, does anyone recommend anything approaching the taste/loveliness of Of Foam and Fury that's maybe a little cheaper for a bottle?

Not to be pedantic, but Foam And Fury is a Double IPA so if you are looking for something similar you'll need to be looking at that style, not IPA.

GLaDOS

Kinnegar Black Bucket Black IPA is a recent favourite of mine

Cantstandsya

Cantstandsya wrote: »

Ever since I tried Of Foam and Fury I've been trying any IPA I can find, be it in bottle in the off licence or on tap at the pub. Problem is that none have matched Foam and Fury for me and it's a bit pricey bottle wise and, at 8.5%, liver health wise.

Question I have is, does anyone recommend anything approaching the taste/loveliness of Of Foam and Fury that's maybe a little cheaper for a bottle?

I quite like O'Haras double IPA & it's about €3.50 for a 500ml bottle so a lot easier on the wallet.

willabur

Best is a tough word because I find my tastes change all the time

for me Founders Centennial is an amazing american style IPA
Try also Modus Hoperandi by SKA brewing
If you want something really full on (aka double IPA) then look out for Sierra Nevadas Hoptimum, its not cheap but comes in at 10% for a 380 ml bottle, prob cost north of a 5er but its a bloody brilliant beer.

willabur

I also echo the shout out for Kinnegar, they know what they are at up there in Donegal

irish_goat

Brewdog Punk IPA and Thornbridge Jaipur are worth a look-in too.

willabur

The brewdog guy started out at thornbridge. Jaipur is indeed a lovely beer but for what it is it is really expensive. I would say it is closer to the english style IPA than Punk.

Its a pity we don't have more access to the American Market. There are so many amazing IPAs over there which we will probably never see over here

the beer revolu

Any of 8 degrees IPAs

Cantstandsya

What a great response, I'll be very merry trying all the recommendations :-)

Thanks everyone.

HopsAndJumps

Cantstandsya wrote: »

Ever since I tried Of Foam and Fury I've been trying any IPA I can find, be it in bottle in the off licence or on tap at the pub. Problem is that none have matched Foam and Fury for me and it's a bit pricey bottle wise and, at 8.5%, liver health wise.

Question I have is, does anyone recommend anything approaching the taste/loveliness of Of Foam and Fury that's maybe a little cheaper for a bottle?

As DIPA's go its not that expensive, it 5.90 in drink store. The O'Brien's price is crazy. Get a beoir card and you get 10% off all Irish beers.

You will be paying a lot more for beer with flavour unfortunately.

HopsAndJumps

willabur wrote: »

The brewdog guy started out at thornbridge. Jaipur is indeed a lovely beer but for what it is it is really expensive. I would say it is closer to the english style IPA than Punk.

Its a pity we don't have more access to the American Market. There are so many amazing IPAs over there which we will probably never see over here

I used to think that. But things have got so much better recently, Firestone walker beers are starting to arrive here, easy jack is a great session IPA. Union Jack and Double Jack will be here in a few months.

Double Jack is arguably as good as Pliny the elder. Its so fecking tasty!

billythefish99

willabur wrote: »

Its a pity we don't have more access to the American Market. There are so many amazing IPAs over there which we will probably never see over here

Its a style which cries out to be drank fresh, the logistics involved in getting beer over from the US dont work towards fresh IPA. The beauty of the classic west coast IPA in the states is that it comes from a very local brewery and is served within days of leaving the brewery.

A lot of guys I know are opening US IPAs here with stratospheric reputations in the US and not getting what all the fuss is about.

willabur

yeah, I lived in Montreal for a while which has some world class breweries and was just an hours drive north of Vermont. I was able to get some fresh from the brewery Heady Topper and it was amazing.

But to emphasis your own point I have had some disappointing IPAs here for the very reason you have pointed out above

RasTa

I don't buy IPA's anymore unless they have the bottling date. Got burnt badly with a Hardcore by Brewdog, Jai alai was worth it even though it was canned 6 months ago but wouldn't order again

dregin

RasTa wrote: »

I don't buy IPA's anymore unless they have the bottling date. Got burnt badly with a Hardcore by Brewdog, Jai alai was worth it even though it was canned 6 months ago but wouldn't order again

Any rough recommendations on how long is too long after bottling?

RasTa

dregin wrote: »

Any rough recommendations on how long is too long after bottling?

For me 2 months is pushing it

HopsAndJumps

3-4 weeks is the peak after bottling. After 3 months you really start to taste the hop profile die off. At 6 months its a different beer.

That being said, a lot of beers can end up here only a few weeks after the bottling date in USA. Always check and buy form the big off licences here.

Ranchu

Not a double but I really like Vietnow which is sold on draught in PMacs and blackbird. Great value and it's brewed in Ireland, possibly by Trouble.

listermint

Ranchu wrote: »

Not a double but I really like Vietnow which is sold on draught in PMacs and blackbird. Great value and it's brewed in Ireland, possibly by Trouble.

Aye top drink that, also Modus Operandai Quality stuff.

Not G.R

Op try Via Maris by GBB. Its a table beer made from the same stuff as OFAF as far as I know.

Also give Bevertowns Bloody 'Ell a go. Its outstanding.

slayerking

Second for Beavertown bloody ell.
Lagunitas a little sumpin sumpin is also worth a look, not technically an IPA, but it sure drinks like one.
Founders all day IPA for something more sessionable.
If you want to keep it Irish, eight degrees are knocking it out of the park with most of their seasonal beers, most are very hop forward.

Son0vagun

The OP might like to try a Triple IPA. There's still some of Troubles Hop Priority around. I was lucky enough to get a bottle of Magic Rocks UnHuman Cannonball, that was some drink.

Also Beavertown have Skull King and Vodoo, a DIPA and TIPA, but worth trying to source!

RasTa

I prefer Gammy Ray over Bloody ell from Beavertown.

Ipso

Is Hop Stoopid from Lagunitas available on Ireland?
Probably my favourite.

Zymurgist

Odells IPA is consistently good

HopsAndJumps

Ipso wrote: »

Is Hop Stoopid from Lagunitas available on Ireland?
Probably my favourite.

Hop stoopid is here. 8.50 a bomber though. The odd keg of Lagunitas sucks floating about too.

cavan4sam

Try some of The White Hag range .they are in most super valu shops. Irish brewed in county sligo

Not G.R

RasTa wrote: »

I prefer Gammy Ray over Bloody ell from Beavertown.

Also fantastic. Neck oil is worth a too even though its not an IPA.

slayerking

Not G.R wrote: »

Also fantastic. Neck oil is worth a too even though its not an IPA.

Tis a session IPA. Haven't had a bad beer from Beavertown tbh.

oblivious

What three pages in and no one has mentioned Heady Topper and John f***ing Kimmich, call yourself beer nerds !!!

Creamy Goodness

oblivious wrote: »

What three pages in and no one has mentioned Heady Topper and John f***ing Kimmich, call yourself beer nerds !!!

We're realistic beer nerds. No point talking about IPA's that are for the most part unattainable unless you know someone in the area near the brewery.

oblivious

Creamy Goodness wrote: »

We're realistic beer nerds. No point talking about IPA's that are for the most part unattainable unless you know someone in the area near the brewery.

But you don't ever have to try it, just belive in it :P:D

RasTa

I laugh at your 3 pages also!

willabur

oblivious wrote: »

What three pages in and no one has mentioned Heady Topper and John f***ing Kimmich, call yourself beer nerds !!!

oblivious to my posts it would seem :D:D


I mentioned I managed to procure a 4 pack of cans of Heady Topper straight from the Brewery. Beautiful beer. Always torn between drinking it from the can or pouring it into a glass.

oblivious

willabur wrote: »

oblivious to my posts it would seem :D:D
.

Who's: got time to read three page :P John f***ing Kimmich

willabur

Alchemist have collaboration with Dieu Du Ciel called Moralite which is also incredible but you would need to be in Quebec to source it.

RasTa

willabur wrote: »

Alchemist have collaboration with Dieu Du Ciel called Moralite which is also incredible but you would need to be in Quebec to source it.

Don't make me order from here again...

https://www.saveur-biere.com/en/bottled-beer/6358-dieu-du-ciel-moralite.html

willabur

Does that site still work? Tried to add some items to basket there to no avail

RasTa

willabur wrote: »

Does that site still work? Tried to add some items to basket there to no avail

Yup, made an order 2 weeks back

twerg_85

Sierra Nevada Torpedo IPA is really nice.

F.

Losty Dublin

Ages ago I dug out a few bottles of Whistleblower (Trouble Brewing) that had gone long past it's supposed best before date. It was heavenly and benefited from the extra few months. Thing is, it's an occasional brew so you'll be waiting for a bottle of it.

Herb Powell

My personal preference is to stick with Irish breweries for IPAs at least, UK IPAs are usually good too, and at a push, European IPAs. American IPAs, while they are fantastic (cans of Founder's stuff have always delivered, Lagunitas was wonderful when I tried it on draught, same with Sierra Nevada Pale Ale), they can suffer from their long journey, as people have mentioned. They're at their best when fresh, otherwise they're not necessarily THAT much better than anything you can get here anyway. Which can be annoying when you're paying for the privilege of drinking an American beer.

8 Degrees make lovely IPAs, The Full Irish is worth trying anyway. Other than that my advice would be just go mad! And most importantly, ignore online advice. Even this post. It might not apply to your tastes at all. You'll notice there's a massive range of opinion on here when it comes to beer (for example, some posters mentioned the O'Hara's Double IPA, and that is really one of the only beers I could not finish), and tbh there's none of us wrong.

If you don't find something satisfying your specific taste, you could always have a go at brewing your own (assuming you don't already). It's a lot easier than you might think.

Rakish Paddy

Herb Powell wrote: »

some posters mentioned the O'Hara's Double IPA, and that is really one of the only beers I could not finish)

I tried it once and thought it was so horrendous that I figured I had got a bottle that was either gone bad or from a dodgy batch. Maybe I was wrong and that's how it's supposed to taste! Their regular IPA isn't too bad though.

Personally I enjoy any of the following, off the top of my head:
Founders All Day IPA
Sierra Nevada IPA
Blacks of Kinsale IPA
Farmaggedon IPA
Modus Hoperandi
Lagunitas Lil Sumpin Sumpin

I don't know enough about beers to say that any of them are the best, but I'd happily drink plenty of any of the above.

BaZmO*

willabur wrote: »

Alchemist have collaboration with Dieu Du Ciel called Moralite which is also incredible but you would need to be in Quebec to source it.

I thought it was ok but not great. Very heavy grapefruit hop flavour with a bitter finish. Could probably have done with being a bit sweeter imo. One of the weaker beers I've tried from that brewery, most of their stuff is pretty amazing. Their Corne du Diable IPA was pure perfection.

Herb Powell wrote: »

American IPAs, while they are fantastic (cans of Founder's stuff have always delivered, Lagunitas was wonderful when I tried it on draught, same with Sierra Nevada Pale Ale), they can suffer from their long journey, as people have mentioned. They're at their best when fresh, otherwise they're not necessarily THAT much better than anything you can get here anyway. Which can be annoying when you're paying for the privilege of drinking an American beer.

Thing is though, you're generally not paying for the privilege when you consider that a lot of the core ranges of US beers are still cheaper than their Irish equivalents.

Herb Powell

BaZmO* wrote: »

Thing is though, you're generally not paying for the privilege when you consider that a lot of the core ranges of US beers are still cheaper than their Irish equivalents.

Are they though?

A lot of the Irish breweries bottle in 500ml bottles, whereas the US standard seems to be 355ml. Most of the Irish 330ml bottles I've seen were cheaper than their similar-sized US counterparts.

Arghus

Considering it hasn't been mentioned once on the thread I'll stick up for Proper Job. Widely available, very hoppy. Maybe it isn't the best of the best, but it has it's own definite qualities.

Galway Hooker is perfectly passable too.

Lovely Bloke

Hooker is not an IPA nor does it claim to be