NationalIPADay - Houston Beer Guide https://houstonbeerguide.com Online beer news and reviews for the city of Houston Thu, 04 Aug 2022 15:58:34 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.6.14 5 Houston area IPAs you should be drinking on National IPA Day https://houstonbeerguide.com/5-houston-area-ipas-you-should-be-drinking-on-national-ipa-day/ https://houstonbeerguide.com/5-houston-area-ipas-you-should-be-drinking-on-national-ipa-day/#respond Thu, 04 Aug 2022 15:36:44 +0000 https://houstonbeerguide.com/?p=4797 The first Thursday of August is always National IPA Day, another made up beer holiday that we all love to celebrate. This year I have continued to enjoy this style on a regular basis, spreading the love along side more hop balanced lagers. Whether you are a fan of this hop forward style or not,

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The first Thursday of August is always National IPA Day, another made up beer holiday that we all love to celebrate. This year I have continued to enjoy this style on a regular basis, spreading the love along side more hop balanced lagers. Whether you are a fan of this hop forward style or not, IPAs still remain the most dominant and consumed style in the craft beer scene. Nearly all breweries in the Houston area have brewed at least one in their portfolio and new variations of the style are still cropping up. Cold IPAs and india pale lagers have taken the forefront in recent media while hazy ipa seem to keep the title of fan favorite and Instagram’s beer hype king. I was not always a fan of this style as it took me about 2 years of trying different IPAs before I could come around to it. So if you are new to craft beer and still don’t understand why anyone would enjoy drinking these sometimes bitter bombs, keep trying! I will assure you, there is an IPA out there for you too! This style is diverse and if your palate changes like mine did – you won’t ever be the same. Hop heads for life.

Here are my top IPAs picks of 2022 brewed right here in Houston and perfect to celebrate with on National IPA Day!

Heavy Hands Double IPA – Spindletap Brewery

Welcome back for the second year in a row! If you read my Valentines letter to this beer, you know my mad obsession with Heavy Hands DIPA from Spindletap Brewing. This beer pours milky bright yellow with vibrant hops qualities present on all corners. This IPA has a strong citrus kick making it the true definition of Texas juice bomb! It’s medium body and soft mouthfeel continues to delight my hop head senses with each sip. This beer packs a heavy punch at a hefty 8% and if you aren’t careful – this beer will knock yo ass out! Cans are generally available in the taproom year around and local distro markets like HEB. I recommend loading up on the case special at the brewery, because the 6 month shelf life is nice. Don’t believe me? Try it for yourself. You won’t want this hoppy adventure to end. Cheers to the heavy weight champ of Houston hazy beers!

Heavy Hands by Spindletap Brewing – Custom glassware from Drete Customs

Doc Hoppiday Hazy IPA – Saloon Door Brewing

Doc Hoppiday pairs nice with dice games.

This beer is my hoppy huckleberry. Coming in at 6.8%, this hazy New England style IPA from Saloon Door Brewing in Webster is an ultra smooth drinkable IPA with all the juicy characteristics hop heads crave. With all Citra hops and its bold tropical juice notes, this beer finishes dry with a slight hop bite on the end. You can always find Doc at the grocery stores (HEB and Total Wine for sure!). This week, I noticed a proper decision was made in the beer aisle.

A bag of Takis left behind for a 6 of Doc Hoppiday. HEB Pearland Parkway

Yellow Rose Smash IPA – Lone Pint Brewery

It wouldn’t be proper to leave out this Texas classic, Yellow Rose IPA from Magnolia’s Lone Pint Brewery. To be honest, I stepped away from this beer for a while due to some inconsistent quality concerns over the last two years but once I heard it was back in full swing and in environmentally safe 6 packs, I jumped back on the juicy train.

Named after a true Texas heroine, this SMaSH, Single Malt and Single Hop, IPA uses a butt ton of malt and hop released in 2012 called Mosaic (HBC 369). Whole cone mosaic hops are used for bittering, flavoring, and aroma in the kettle and is massively dry hopped for this beer’s mega citrus aroma. Believe it or not, this is still a fan favorite in the beer crowds with a dedicated following that I expect to see around for years to come.

Hanging out with Channing, Scott and a Yellow Rose IPA at the Regal Beagle in Friendswood

Tanuki IPA – Back Pew Brewing

It’s easy to get lost in amazement by all the eye catching labels in craft beer but don’t skip over this core IPA from Back Pew Brewing in Porter Texas. Tanuki is brewed with a split grist of Pilsner/Maris Otter malt with cold-whirlpool Azacca/Sultana/Comet hops giving this beer 35 IBU of punchy citrus and tropical fruit flavors. It’s then fermented with a Kveik yeast for added pineapple pop before dry hopping near the saturation point of 2.2 lbs/bbl of the 3 hops above. It’s filtered crystal clear and is a super easy drinking citrus slightly piney packed IPA. Tanuki cuts you down to size on a mellow 6.4% ABV. You will be surprised how well the juice qualities and grassy notes balance out on this beauty.

Tanuki IPA, a real patio pounder from Back Pew Brewing

Mini Boss IPA – Eureka Heights Brewing Co.

Launched in 2017, Mini Boss from Eureka Heights Brewing Co. has established itself as what I would call a classic Houston IPA. This double dry-hopped IPA is jammed full of citrus and tropical notes with Citra and Mosaic hops joining forces in this fruity IPA. This beer makes a great pair to gaming nights with buddies, a night out in Downtown with the friends or relaxing at your favorite camp site. You can normally find this beer widely available at most bars in download alongside equally great Eureka Heights offerings. Beer so good, you might even want to score a 19.2oz can to enjoy all by yourself. Do it, we won’t judge you.

Mini Boss IPA – Dank and Juice

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While you are at it, tell us what you are enjoying on this fine IPA day in Houston Texas! Hoppy IPA day, yall!

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Top 5 Houston area IPAs to drink on #IPADay https://houstonbeerguide.com/top-5-houston-area-ipas-to-drink-on-ipaday/ https://houstonbeerguide.com/top-5-houston-area-ipas-to-drink-on-ipaday/#respond Thu, 05 Aug 2021 17:02:35 +0000 https://houstonbeerguide.com/?p=4110 The first Thursday of August is always National IPA Day, another made up beer holiday that we all love to celebrate. Whether you are a fan of this hop forward style or not, india pale ales still remain the most dominant and enjoyed style in the craft beer world. Nearly all breweries in the Houston

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The first Thursday of August is always National IPA Day, another made up beer holiday that we all love to celebrate. Whether you are a fan of this hop forward style or not, india pale ales still remain the most dominant and enjoyed style in the craft beer world. Nearly all breweries in the Houston area have brewed at least one and new variations of the style are still cropping up. Sorry hop haters, but it’s safe to say that this style is here to stay. For me , I was not always a fan of this style. It took me about 2 years of trying different IPAs before I could come around to it. My bitter beer face selfies and low score ratings could still be found on my Untappd history to this day. After trying them over and over, begging to jump on the hype bandwagon, my palate was forever transformed with Avery Brewing Company’s Maharajah DIPA into a savage hop craving animal. Pine, floral and grapefruit heaven! Bitter, but unique. Strange, but delicious. Wreck my taste buds please! Fast forward to 2021, not much has changed since then.

Here are my top picks for best IPAs brewed right here in Houston and perfect to celebrate with on #NationalIPADay!

Heavy Hands Double IPA – Spindletap Brewery

If you read my Valentines letter to this beer, you know my mad obsession. This beer pours milky bright yellow with vibrant hops qualities present on all corners. This IPA has a strong citrus kick making it the true definition of Texas JUICE! At 8%, its medium body and soft mouthfeel continues to delight my hop head senses with each sip. Cans are generally available in the taproom and local distro markets like HEB. Load up on the case special at the brewery, because you won’t want this hoppy adventure to end. Cheers to the heavy weight champ of Houston hazy beers!

Heavy Hand DIPA in weird boob shaped glass

Mini Boss IPA – Eureka Heights Brewing Company

This double dry hopped IPA is the classic example of a tropical citrus IPA. Containing Citra and mosaic in the hop profile, this beer is one of the most balanced IPAs around. Modest amount of bitterness, aroma of bold citrus hops and drying alcohol finish makes this 6.8% IPA are perfect entry IPA for those new to the style. Coincidentally, it also makes a great shotgun beer with its approachable hoppy character. Crack open a cold one and down the hatch it goes!

Mini Boss in the yard – Photo Credit: Scott H.

Doc Hoppiday Hazy IPA – Saloon Door Brewing

This beer is my hoppy huckleberry. Coming in at 6.8%, this hazy New England style IPA from Saloon Door Brewing in Webster is an ultra smooth drinkable IPA with all the juicy characteristics hop heads crave. With all Citra hops and its bold tropical juice notes, this beer finishes dry with a slight hop bite on the end. If you are a fan of Heavy Hands, this one is definitely one to try! This brew is available to go from the taproom as well as local distribution markets including Total Wine’s all over the state of Texas.

Camping with Doc Hoppiday on the Brazos River

The Haas West Coast IPA – Vallensons’ Brewing Co.

It wouldn’t be proper to include a list of awesome IPAs and leave off Valle’s Haas West Coast IPA. This resinous dank forward west coast style was named after Joe Haas, close friend of the brewery & lifetime mug club member who happens to be a huge fan of this beer and west coast IPAs. The Haas is a dedication beer to all the help and friendship over the years with the Haas family. They have assisted the brewery in many ways, including preparing the original cellar & fermentation system, making runs to Austin for brewery equipment and slinging pints behind the bar.

Weighing in a 7%, this American west coast IPA is brewed with Magnum and Centennial hops for bitterness and then triple dry hopped with Simcoe to reflect an amazing pine citrus aroma. This beer is as traditional as they come. By the way, are you free tonight? Vallensons’ is celebrating their first Thursday open to the public with the release of a new DIPA with Sabro, Cascade and Belma hops. Come check out the new taproom digs in Pearland and keep your eyes peeled for a Joe Haas sighting!

Valle and The Haas West Coast IPA
Joe Haas – Lifetime Mug Club Member drinking The Haas

Art Car IPA – Saint Arnold Brewing Company

A classic favorite H-town treat! Art Car IPA is an American IPA featuring a blend of both new and old hop varieties from the Pacific Northwest. Visually, this beer pours golden yellow, nose full of tropical mango and apricot making it very inviting to enjoy. A generous dry hopping of Amarillo, Simcoe and Mosaic brings out the tropical mango and citrus aromatics. I highly recommend a fresh pour directly from the beer garden for the ultimate tasting experience. Best thing about this beer? It can be found nearly all around town including your local gas stations. Check the date if you want, we think its still enjoyable months in!

Art Car IPA – Fresh pour in the Beer Garden with birthday pint glass

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