Top 10 West Coast IPAs
West Coast IPAs are known for their hop-forward profiles, characterized by intense bitterness, piney, resinous, and citrusy flavors, with a crisp, dry finish. Below is a list of 10 highly regarded West Coast IPAs brewed in the United States, based on historical and current acclaim from beer enthusiasts, reviews, and industry sources. This list draws from available data, including web sources and recent posts on X, while prioritizing beers that align with the classic West Coast IPA style. Note that rankings can vary due to personal taste and evolving brewery offerings, but these are consistently celebrated examples.
1. Head Hunter IPA – Fat Head’s Brewery (Middleburg Heights, Ohio) ABV: 7.5%
Description: Though brewed outside the West Coast, it adheres to the style with aggressive hop bitterness, featuring Simcoe, Columbus, and Centennial hops for dank, piney, and citrusy flavors.
Why It Stands Out: Frequently tops lists for its bold, unapologetic hop profile, rivaling California originals.
2. Pliny the Elder – Russian River Brewing Company (Santa Rosa, California) ABV: 8%
Description: A pioneering Double IPA, Pliny the Elder is often cited as the gold standard for West Coast IPAs. It features a balanced yet intense hop profile with notes of pine, citrus, and resin, using hops like Simcoe, Centennial, and Amarillo. Its clarity and dryness embody the style.
3. Union Jack IPA – Firestone Walker Brewing (Paso Robles, California) ABV: 7%
Description: A balanced West Coast IPA with bright citrus, pine, and grapefruit notes, hopped with Cascade, Centennial, and Simcoe. It has a clean malt backbone and crisp finish.
Why It Stands Out: Multiple award-winner at the Great American Beer Festival, known for its consistency and widespread appeal.
4.Pure Hoppiness – Alpine Beer Company (Alpine, California) ABV: 8%
Description: A Double IPA with a resinous, pine-heavy profile and citrus undertones, using a blend of American hops. It’s intensely hoppy yet surprisingly smooth.
Why It Stands Out: A cult favorite from a small brewery, often praised for its old-school West Coast character.
5. Liquid Gravity IPA – Liquid Gravity Brewing (San Luis Obispo, California)
ABV: 7%
Description: A modern West Coast IPA with a tropical and citrusy blast, hopped with Citra, Mosaic, and Simcoe for a hoppy kick and smooth finish.
Why It Stands Out: Gaining attention for blending classic bitterness with newer hop varieties, as noted in recent X posts.
6. Unknown Depths – Societe Brewing (San Diego, California)
ABV: 7.2%
Description: A citrus-driven West Coast IPA with a strong hop presence, featuring notes of grapefruit and pine, and a clean, dry finish.
Why It Stands Out: Highlighted on X for its bold, consistent hoppiness, it’s a rising star in the San Diego craft scene.
7. IPA – Stone Brewing (Escondido, CA) ABV: 6.9%
Description: Piney and citrusy with Centennial and Columbus hops, delivering Stone’s signature bitterness.
Why It Stands Out: A cornerstone of the style, known for its unapologetic hop intensity.
8. Torpedo Extra IPA – Sierra Nevada Brewing (Chico, CA) ABV: 7.2%
Description: Pine, citrus, and slight caramel malt, amplified by Sierra Nevada’s “Hop Torpedo” dry-hopping device.
Why It Stands Out: A widely available pioneer, blending tradition with innovation.
9. Alpha Dank IPA – Hop Dogma Brewing Company (California)
Description: Bold, bitter profile with notes of pine, citrus, and tropical fruit, and may also include hints of earthy or dank notes.
Why It Stands Out: Gold Medal Winner at the 2024 U.S. Open Beer Championship
10. Codebreaker IPA – Trademark Brewing (Long Beach, CA)
Description: A vibrant 7.2% West Coast IPA featuring Cryo Simcoe and Mosaic hops for crisp, bitter citrus, grapefruit, and dank stonefruit flavors with a dry finish
Why It Stands Out: Gold Medal Winner at the 2024 Great American Beer Festival