Top IPA Brands You Need to Taste Today!

The world of India Pale Ale (IPA) is as diverse as it is flavorful, offering a myriad of choices for beer enthusiasts. With so many breweries crafting their own unique take on this beloved style, choosing the best IPA can be an adventure in itself. From the robust hoppy profiles of the West Coast IPAs to the juicy and hazy notes of the New England variants, each brand brings something special to the table. Curious about which breweries are leading the charge in crafting exceptional IPAs? Discover our curated list of the best brands below.

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Best brands of ipa in 2025

Dogfish Head

Dogfish Head Brewery, renowned as one of the top producers of India Pale Ales (IPAs) in the United States, was founded in 1995 by Sam and Mariah Calagione. The brewery is celebrated for its innovative and unconventional brewing methods, incorporating unique ingredients sourced from around the world. Their IPA lineup features popular varieties such as the 60 Minute IPA, 90 Minute IPA, and 120 Minute IPA, with the 90 Minute IPA having been ranked as the number one beer by the American Homebrewers Association in 2007. Dogfish Head produces an impressive 262,000 barrels of beer annually, distributing to 31 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. The brewery's steadfast commitment to quality and innovation has earned it a reputation as one of the most respected and closely observed breweries in the country.

Stone Brewing

Stone Brewing, founded in 1996 by Greg Koch and Steve Wagner, is renowned as one of the best producers of IPAs, particularly with its iconic Stone IPA, which has been a flagship beer since 1997. This West Coast-style IPA, known for its tropical, citrusy, and piney hop flavors, has been a staple for craft beer enthusiasts and has contributed to Stone Brewing being voted the #1 "All Time Top Brewery on Planet Earth" by Beer Advocate readers. Stone IPA has won numerous awards, including a Gold medal at the 2021 U.S. Open Beer Championship. The brewery operates two production facilities in Escondido, CA, and Richmond, VA, and distributes its beers in all 50 states and over 40 countries. Stone Brewing is also the ninth-largest craft brewery in the U.S., based on 2020 sales volume.

Sierra Nevada

Sierra Nevada is a leading producer of IPAs, with a strong focus on its flagship Pale Ale and the highly successful Hazy Little Thing, which has seen a 7.9% increase in sales to over $68.8 million as of 2023. Hazy Little Thing, now the company's largest brand, has been on its fifth year of growth and holds a 2.27% share of craft beer dollar sales. Sierra Nevada's Pale Ale, despite past declines, is showing signs of stabilization with positive dollar sales growth in recent weeks. The company is also expanding its IPA offerings, including the launch of Cosmic Little Thing double hazy IPA in 2024. With up to 500,000 barrels of beyond beer capacity coming online, Sierra Nevada continues to drive growth in the craft beer market.

Lagunitas Brewing Company

Lagunitas Brewing Company, despite recent challenges, remains a prominent producer of IPAs, with its Lagunitas IPA being the best-selling IPA on draft in the U.S. according to NielsenIQ data from January to November 2023. However, the company has faced significant declines, with production volumes dropping by 20% from 1.07 million barrels in 2019 to 860,000 barrels in 2022. Its flagship Lagunitas IPA saw an 11% decline in chain retail dollars in 2023, and Little Sumpin' Sumpin' wheat IPA declined by 15%. Despite these challenges, Lagunitas continues to be available in over 50 countries and is backed by Heineken, which has helped it enter markets in Europe and Mexico. The company is committed to stabilizing its core brands and focusing on innovation and sustainable brewing practices. For more information, visit the Lagunitas Brewing Company website.

Bell's Brewery

Bell's Brewery is renowned as one of the best producers of IPA, particularly with its flagship beer, Two Hearted Ale, which has been recognized as the Best Beer in America for four consecutive years in the Zymurgy magazine survey. Two Hearted Ale, introduced in 1997, features Centennial hops and comprises roughly half of Bell's total production. It grew by 92% between 2017 and 2020 and was the #6 IPA in chain retail sales. Bell's Brewery is also the top-selling craft brewery in Michigan, with national sales of $105.7 million and a strong presence in the craft beer market. The brewery's commitment to quality and its popular products have made it a leader in the industry.

Founders Brewing Co.

Founders Brewing Co. has established itself as one of the leading producers of IPA, driven by the remarkable success of its flagship beer, All Day IPA. In 2018, the company experienced a 30% growth rate, with All Day IPA sales increasing by 38.2% to over $38.6 million, making it the second best-selling IPA in IRI-tracked multi-outlet and convenience stores. This growth contributed to Founders producing nearly 580,000 barrels of beer in 2018, a significant increase from the 466,618 barrels in 2017. The company's expansion and increased distribution have been key factors in its success, with All Day IPA now sold in a substantial portion of the markets traditionally dominated by larger competitors. Founders' commitment to quality and innovation has solidified its position as a top craft brewery in the U.S. For more detailed information about their offerings, visit the Founders Brewing Co. website.

Russian River Brewing Company

Russian River Brewing Company is renowned for its exceptional IPAs, particularly with its flagship beers like Pliny the Elder and Pliny the Younger. Pliny the Elder, a double IPA, boasts 8.0% ABV and 100 IBUs, while Pliny the Younger, a triple IPA, has an alcohol content of about 10.25% and is loaded with hop flavors and aromatics. Founded in 1997 and later acquired by Vinnie and Natalie Cilurzo in 2003, the brewery has been a staple in Sonoma County since then. Pliny the Younger, first brewed in 2005, is released annually for a limited time in February and has gained a cult following. The brewery's commitment to quality and innovation has made it a favorite among hop enthusiasts.

New Belgium Brewing

New Belgium Brewing is renowned as one of the top producers of IPAs, particularly through its Voodoo Ranger line, which constitutes 83% of the company's chain retail beer sales volume. In 2022, New Belgium's production grew by 14% to 1.23 million barrels, driven by the success of Voodoo Ranger Juice Force IPA, which was named Brewbound's 2022 Innovation of the Year. The Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA is the top-selling IPA in U.S. chain retail, according to Nielsen data. The company's Virginia facility acquisition aims to boost production to meet the increasing demand for its IPA offerings. New Belgium's commitment to quality and innovation has solidified its position as a leader in the craft beer industry.

Goose Island Beer Co.

Goose Island Beer Co. is a renowned producer of IPAs, having faced recent challenges but still maintaining a strong presence in the craft beer market. Despite a 9% decline in production volume from 605,000 barrels in 2016 to 550,000 barrels, Goose Island's IPA brands continue to show resilience, with the core IPA brand gaining 4% in Chicago grocery store volume over the last 52 weeks. The introduction of So-Lo IPA, a 3%, 98-calorie IPA, aims to capitalize on the trend of low-cal, low-ABV beers. Goose Island's acquisition by Anheuser-Busch InBev in 2011 has enhanced its quality control and distribution, allowing for more consistent and widely available beers, including its award-winning Bourbon County Brand Stout line. The brewery's innovative approach and expanded production capabilities have solidified its position as a leader in the IPA category. For more information, explore the Goose Island Beer Co. website.

Deschutes Brewery

Deschutes Brewery is renowned as one of the top producers of IPAs, having garnered numerous international awards for their craft beers. Notably, their Fresh Squeezed IPA, with its 6% alcohol by volume and unique hop profile, has been a standout. In 2013, Deschutes Brewery's beers took top honors at the World Beer Awards and European Beer Star, including The Abyss winning a gold medal in the Imperial Stout category. The brewery, celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2018, is the 10th largest craft brewery in the nation and the largest independent brewery in Oregon, producing over 250,000 barrels of beer annually. Their commitment to quality and innovation has earned them recognition as one of America's Best Places to Work by Outside Magazine in 2013.