Top 10 Imperial IPAs or Double IPAs
This list of the Top 10 Imperial IPAs (Double IPAs) is based on results from the U.S. Open Beer Championship, Great American Beer Festival, and the prestigious World Beer Cup.
Imperial IPAs, also known as Double IPAs, are bold, high-octane beers known for their intense hop bitterness, flavor, and aroma. These beers feature a high to very high alcohol content that’s clearly noticeable yet balanced by rich malt character and fruity esters.
The style typically ranges from deep golden to amber in color and may utilize a wide variety of hop types. The hop profile should be fresh, vibrant, and aromatic—never harsh. When large hop additions are used, a slight hop haze is acceptable and often desirable.
Imperial IPAs have a medium-high to full body, offering a strong yet balanced drinking experience for hop lovers and craft beer enthusiasts alike. ABV (Alcohol by Volume): 7.6% – 10.6% IBU (Bitterness Units): 45+
1. Triple Double IPA – StormBreaker Brewing | Oregon
Ten hop additions. Three big hop varieties. One unforgettable IPA. This golden powerhouse blends Mosaic, Citra, and Amarillo for a citrus-forward blast that’s bold on bitterness but smooth on the finish.
2. Space Lettuce – Monday Night Brewing | Georgia
Blast off into orbit with this juicy double IPA, dry-hopped three times with a cosmic mix of Citra Cryo, Motueka, and Simcoe. Clementine, guava, and grapefruit notes swirl together in a soft, pillowy mouthfeel.
3. Nose Goblin – Ghost Town Brewing | California
Dank, punchy, and proudly West Coast, Nose Goblin delivers heavy notes of blueberry, mandarin, and pine. It’s a resin-packed hop monster with just enough fruit to keep you chasing another sip.
4. Freak of Nature – Wicked Weed Brewing | North Carolina
This beast of a double IPA doesn’t hold back—massive tropical hop aroma and an assertive, bitter backbone make Freak of Nature a standout for fans of fresh, face-melting flavor.
5. Cali Boy – No Label Brewing | Texas
Brewed with San Diego style in mind, this pale-gold IPA pops with bright pineapple, citrus, and herbal hops. Clean, dry, and refreshing—it’s sunshine with a bite.
6. Las Piñas – Moonraker Brewing | California
A hazy tropical dream packed with Simcoe and Strata hops. Expect big mango, passionfruit, and floral notes over a creamy, soft body with just the right touch of bitterness.
7. Megahop 3000 – Slice Brewing Co | California
This futuristic IPA dials up the flavor with bold hop character—think tropical citrus, sticky pine, and vibrant fruit punch all packed into one smooth-drinking double IPA.
8. Devil’s Pool – Wissahickon Brewing Co | Pennsylvania
Bronze medalist and local legend, this double IPA blends Citra and Simcoe into a balanced, fruit-forward brew that walks the line between juicy and bitter with finesse.
9. Army of the Kinda Dead-ish – North Park Beer Co | California
Don’t let the name fool you—this beer is anything but lifeless. Loaded with berry, mango, and grapefruit character, it’s double dry-hopped and dangerously smooth for a DIPA that refuses to die.
10. Triple Play – Strike Brewing Company | California
A home run of a triple IPA, loaded with Citra, Amarillo, Mosaic, and Simcoe hops. Guava, pineapple, and citrus dominate, backed by a smooth malt base and a crisp, clean finish.
History of Imperial IPA/Double IPA
The Imperial IPA, also known as Double IPA, emerged in the mid-1990s as a bold evolution of the India Pale Ale, a style historically tied to British brewing for its durability during long voyages to colonial India. In the United States, the craft beer renaissance of the late 20th century fueled experimentation, with brewers pushing hop bitterness, flavor, and alcohol content to new heights. Vinnie Cilurzo, then at Blind Pig Brewing in California, is often credited with crafting the first Imperial IPA in 1994, a beer called “Inaugural Ale” that boasted intense hop character and a higher ABV (around 8-10%). This style quickly gained traction as American brewers like Russian River (with Pliny the Elder) and Dogfish Head (with 90 Minute IPA) embraced the challenge of balancing massive hop profiles with a robust malt backbone, creating a beer that was both aggressively bitter and deceptively drinkable.
By the early 2000s, Imperial IPAs had become a cornerstone of the American craft beer movement, celebrated for their complexity and boundary-pushing nature. The style’s hallmark—intense citrus, pine, and resinous hop flavors paired with a higher alcohol content—appealed to enthusiasts seeking bold, in-your-face brews. Competitions like the Great American Beer Festival formalized the category, and breweries across the country began releasing their own takes, from Stone’s Ruination to Bell’s Hopslam. Over time, regional variations emerged, with West Coast versions leaning crisp and bitter, while East Coast and New England-style Imperial IPAs introduced hazier, juicier profiles. Today, the Imperial IPA remains a symbol of craft beer innovation, evolving with modern hop varieties and brewing techniques while staying true to its roots as a beer that demands attention.
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