Five on Five
The draft lines and shelves are awash in IPA—from the simple session to the robust triple and, of course, the hazy New England style. There’s so much choice, so much to consider. So, what do the pros reach for? We asked a few of our favorite brewers to share their IPA picks. Lawson’s Finest Liquids Sip of Sunshine
Garrett Marrero, Owner, Maui Brewing Co. in Maui, Hawaii“As far as IPA goes, I really enjoy Sip of Sunshine from Sean Lawson (Warren, Vermont). We don’t see it way out West, and I just had the chance to enjoy it again recently at SA-VOR. It’s a great beer by an awesome dude. The clean hops profile with super tropical aromas and the nice and bright appearance make this a fantastic hops-loving experience.”
Revision Brewing Company Revision IPA
Don Oliver, Brewmaster, Dust Bowl Brewing Compa-ny in Turlock, California“I have a lot of respect for Jeremy Warren at Revi-sion Brewing (Sparks, Nevada) and his ability to craft flavorful and aromatic IPAs. He was one of the brewers who changed perceptions on bitterness requirements for IPA and really attacked the whirl-pool hopping well before anybody was talking about those same methods for hazy IPA. When I’m not drinking mine, I’m drinking Revision IPA.”
Modist Brewing Co. Dreamyard
Mark Bjornstad, Cofounder and President of Drekker Brewing Company in Fargo, North Dakota“Modist Brewing (Minneapolis, Minnesota) is making some otherworldly beers and pushing their mash-filter system to the limit. Dreamyard IPA is brewed entirely with oats and wheat and has the most beautiful hazy and soft body that is perfect with the intense juicy and tropical-fruit hops notes.”
Real Ale Brewing company Axis IPA
Patrick Christian, Cofounder of Great Heights Brew-ing Company in Houston, Texas“I was thrilled when Real Ale Brewing Company (Blanco, Texas) started canning Axis IPA last year. This beer is everything an IPA should be. Beautiful-ly clear and golden, it’s drinkable but packs that lit-tle extra punch at 7.1 percent ABV. I love that resiny, piney bite in my American IPAs, and the Simcoe in Axis delivers. The Mosaic and Ekuanot expertly round out the profile with softer, tropical-melon notes. It’s been a staple in my fridge the past month, and I don’t see that changing any time soon.”
Co. Georgetown Brewing Bodhizafa IPA
Brad Benson, Founder and Head Brewer at Stoup Brewing in Seattle Washington “Georgetown Brewing’s Bodhizafa IPA (Seattle, Washing-ton) is definitely one of my go-to beers. It is a classic North-west IPA with big, punchy aroma and just enough malt backbone to carry the hops resin and lingering bitterness. It’s one of those beers that, once you have one sip, you can’t help but go back for another.”