#IPAday Domination

I like American IPA's, but it amazes me a little bit how they have somehow become so pervasive in the craft beer landscape. Sometimes it feels like public perception is that IPA is the only craft beer style out there. There are so many great beer styles out there, but somehow the IPA gets the most attention.

Case in point ... my list ... Zymurgy's 2013 Best Beers in America. I can't think of a more quintessential group of beer geeks than Zymurgy's readers, and you would think that the 50 best beer list would be representative of all beer styles.

You would be wrong, though.

All 5 of the top 5 on the list are IPA's, and over half are IPA's, double IPA's, or imperial IPA's.

If that is not enough, there are several others that are very IPA-like such as Black IPA's or very hoppy pale ales.

Yes, craft beer geeks love their hops. I love my hops. Perhaps I am part of the problem. Perhaps it isn't a problem at all.

Like I already said, though, it sure seems like some other beer styles deserve some love. Seems to me that there should be more balance.

However, today is #IPADay, and any one of these beers would be a great way to celebrate:

IPAs on the list:
1. Russian River Pliny the Elder
2. Bell's Two Hearted Ale
3. Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA
4. Bell's Hopslam Ale
5. Ballast Point Sculpin IPA
8. Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye IPA
T9. Lagunitas Sucks
T9. Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale
T9. Stone Ruination IPA
T12. Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA
T12. Stone Enjoy By IPA
16. The Alchemist Heady Topper
T17. Firestone Walker Double Jack
T21. Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA
T23. Firestone Walker Union Jack
26. Surly Furious
T27. Green Flash West Coast IPA
30. Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA
35. Avery the Maharaja
36. Lagunitas IPA
37. Stone IPA
38. Odell IPA
T39. Russian River Pliny the Younger
T42. Odell Myrcenary
T42. Russian River Blind Pig I.P.A.
T48. Green Flash Palate Wrecker


If that isn't enough, there are other hoppy (IPA-like) beers on the list.
7. Arrogant Bastard Ale
15. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
19. Oskar Blues Dale's Pale Ale
20. Firestone Walker Wookey Jack
T21. Three Floyds Zombie Dust
T27. Troegs Nugget Nectar
T42. Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous

Like last year, I have actually scheduled blog posts to publish throughout the day. Don't judge me. At least I'm not doing this at work. You can see all I have written or will write about #IPADay at: http://blog.ericshepard.com/search/label/%23IPADay