Quest Type: Beer Guide
Mana Cost: $ to $$$ (Your wallet will hate you, your taste buds will thank you)
Difficulty Rating: Tutorial Level → End-Game Content
ABV Range: 0% to “Why Can I Taste Colors?” (12%+)
Buffs: +50 Hop Appreciation, +30 Craft Beer Cred, +15 “Actually” Knowledge
Debuffs: -40 Wallet HP, -25 Beer Snob Tolerance, -60 Ability to Drink Budweiser Ever Again
The Loading Screen (Why 2025 Was The Year of The IPA… Again)
Listen, I know what you’re thinking. “Another year, another IPA article. Doesn’t EVERY year belong to IPAs at this point?” And you’re not wrong, you beautiful, hop-skeptical person. IPAs have been dominating craft beer like Elden Ring dominated Game of the Year conversations—for YEARS. But 2025? 2025 hit different.
Check it: IPAs now account for 49.4% of all craft beer sales. That’s not a typo. HALF of all craft beer sold in America is an IPA. That’s like if half of all video games were just different versions of Call of Duty (wait, bad example—that’s basically true). The point is, IPAs are the FINAL BOSS of beer styles, and they’re not getting dethroned anytime soon.
But here’s what made 2025 special—we saw THREE major trends collide like a three-way Smash Bros. final:
The West Coast IPA Renaissance: Clear, bitter, aggressively hoppy beers made a COMEBACK. Hazy IPAs dominated for like 6 years, and brewers were like “you know what? Let’s remember why we fell in love with IPAs in the first place.” Pine. Citrus. That dry, crisp finish that makes you go “damn, that’s CLEAN.”
The Session/Low-ABV Revolution: People realized that drinking 9% Imperial IPAs all night turns you into a non-functional human. So brewers started making IPAs that clock in at 4-5% ABV but still SLAP with flavor. It’s like playing on Easy Mode but still getting the full campaign experience.
The NA IPA Movement: Non-alcoholic IPAs went from “novelty curiosity” to “actually f*cking good.” Sierra Nevada Trail Pass, Athletic Brewing, Lagunitas IPNA—these aren’t your sad uncle’s O’Doul’s. These are legit hop bombs with ZERO alcohol.
I’m tellin’ you, 2025 was the year IPAs leveled up across the ENTIRE skill tree. Whether you wanted bone-dry West Coast bitterness, juicy New England haziness, sessionable crushability, or zero-alcohol hop water—this year had you covered.
Nerd Tip: Freshness is EVERYTHING with IPAs. Those hop oils are volatile as hell—they degrade faster than your K/D ratio after your third beer. Most brewers pull their IPAs off shelves after 60-90 days. Check the “canned on” date on the bottom. If it’s older than 3 months, pass. You’re not tasting the beer the brewer intended; you’re tasting malt-forward sadness.
The Lore (Understanding The IPA Wars of 2025)
The craft beer scene in 2025 is like a Battle Royale but everyone’s weapon is hops. You’ve got your OGs (West Coast), your insurgents (New England/Hazy), your scrappy underdogs (Session IPAs), and your wildcard new players (Cold IPAs, Brut IPAs, Black IPAs).
Here’s the breakdown:
West Coast IPA: The ORIGINAL. Born in California in the 90s. Clear, golden, bitter, pine-forward. This is what your dad drank when he “got into craft beer.” It’s making a comeback because people got tired of drinking liquid orange juice.
New England/Hazy IPA: The challenger. Cloudy, juicy, low bitterness, fruit salad in a can. These dominated the 2010s. Still massively popular but no longer the ONLY game in town.
Session IPA: The “I have work tomorrow” option. 4-5% ABV, still hoppy, won’t destroy your productivity. It’s the Fast Travel option of IPAs—gets you where you need to go without the epic journey.
Double/Imperial IPA: The “I’m a masochist” option. 8-12% ABV, hop-forward, will make you FEEL things. This is New Game+ difficulty.
NA IPA: The “I quit drinking but still want flavor” option. 0-0.5% ABV. Shockingly good in 2025.
In 2025, brewers across America were basically speed-running IPA innovation. New hop varieties dropped like DLC packs. Experimental techniques (dry-hopping, bio-transformation, hop-bursting) became standard. And the result? Some of the best IPAs ever brewed.
The Top IPAs of 2025 (Ranked By Tier)
Alright, let’s get into the actual beers. I’m ranking these by accessibility, quality, and “will this change your life?” factor.
S-TIER: The Legendary Drops (Chase These)
These are the IPAs that transcend “good beer” and enter “religious experience” territory. If you see these, BUY THEM.
1. The Alchemist – Heady Topper
Style: Hazy Double IPA
ABV: 8%
Location: Vermont
Availability: Limited (Vermont & some East Coast distro)
Cost: $$
Why It’s S-Tier:
This is the beer that STARTED the hazy IPA revolution over 20 years ago, and it’s STILL the gold standard. In 2025, when the market is FLOODED with hazy IPAs, Heady Topper remains the “Holy Grail.”
The aroma hits you with grapefruit and orange peel. The taste is layered—bright citrus, tropical fruit, grassy bitterness, savory depth. It’s bold but drinkable. Complex but not overwhelming. It’s the Dark Souls of IPAs—challenging, rewarding, and you’ll want to immediately do another run.
Nerd Tip: This beer is MEANT to be drunk from the can. The can literally says “DRINK FROM THE CAN.” Don’t pour it into a glass like some wine-tasting nerd. Chug it like the Vermonters intended.
Difficulty Rating: End-Game Content
Where to Find: Vermont, limited East Coast distro, or trade with beer nerds online
2. Tree House – Julius
Style: Hazy IPA
ABV: 6.8%
Location: Massachusetts
Availability: Brewery-only (mostly)
Cost: $$
Why It’s S-Tier:
Tree House is to hazy IPAs what Nintendo is to platformers—they basically DEFINED the genre. Julius is their flagship, and it’s a masterclass in hop aroma. Citrus, stone fruit, tropical vibes. Creamy mouthfeel. Zero bitterness.
It’s the “every other hazy IPA is measured against this” beer. If you’ve only had grocery store hazies and think “these are fine,” try Julius. It’ll ruin you for life.
Nerd Tip: Tree House doesn’t distribute widely. You basically have to go to the brewery in Massachusetts. Plan a pilgrimage. Treat it like going to a FromSoftware studio tour.
Difficulty Rating: End-Game Content (hard to find)
Where to Find: Tree House Brewing locations in MA
3. Russian River – Pliny the Elder
Style: West Coast Double IPA
ABV: 8%
Location: California
Availability: Limited West Coast distro
Cost: $$
Why It’s S-Tier:
The KING of West Coast IPAs. This beer has been legendary since 2000 and it’s STILL crushing in 2025. Pine, citrus, floral hops. Bone-dry finish. Aggressive bitterness that’s perfectly balanced.
Pliny is what hop-heads think about when they close their eyes. It’s the benchmark. Every West Coast IPA is basically trying to be Pliny but most of them fail.
Nerd Tip: There’s also “Pliny the Younger” (Triple IPA, 10.25% ABV) that’s released once a year in February. People wait in LINE for hours to get it. It’s the limited-edition skin drop of craft beer.
Difficulty Rating: End-Game Content
Where to Find: California, limited West Coast distro
A-TIER: Widely Available Excellence
These IPAs are GOOD, findable in most states, and won’t break the bank.
4. Bell’s – Two Hearted Ale
Style: American IPA
ABV: 7%
Location: Michigan
Availability: National
Cost: $
Why It’s A-Tier:
This is the IPA that got a GENERATION of people into craft beer. It’s balanced, approachable, and uses 100% Centennial hops for that perfect citrus-forward profile. Think expressed orange zest in liquid form.
In 2025, despite being an “old school” IPA, Two Hearted is STILL one of the best-selling craft IPAs in America. That’s staying power.
Nerd Tip: This beer is available at basically every grocery store and gas station with a decent beer selection. It’s your reliable daily driver. The Honda Civic of IPAs (and I mean that as the highest compliment).
Difficulty Rating: Tutorial Level
Where to Find: Everywhere
5. Stone – Green Buds IPA (NEW 2025 Release!)
Style: Juicy IPA
ABV: 7%
Location: California
Availability: Southern California (expanding)
Cost: $$
Why It’s A-Tier:
Stone Brewing—the PIONEERS of West Coast IPA—dropped this in late 2025 as part of a three-part limited series. It’s a departure from their usual “punch you in the face with hops” style. This one’s juicy, bright, and balanced.
Cantaloupe, lychee, pear, floral notes, golden apple, apricot. It’s using Anchovy and Citra hops for sweet aromatics without monster bitterness. Stone basically said “we can do the New England style too, and we can do it WELL.”
Nerd Tip: This is part of a series. Stone is releasing “Live Current IPA” in May and “Chill Villain IPA” in September. Collect ’em all like Pokémon.
Difficulty Rating: Mid-Game Boss
Where to Find: Southern California now, wider distro coming
6. Sierra Nevada – Torpedo Extra IPA
Style: West Coast IPA
ABV: 7.2%
Location: California
Availability: National
Cost: $
Why It’s A-Tier:
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is the beer that started the craft beer revolution in 1980. Torpedo is that beer’s OLDER, ANGRIER sibling. More hops, more bitterness, more everything.
It’s a textbook West Coast IPA—clear, golden, piney, citrus-forward, with a dry finish that makes you want another sip immediately. And because it’s Sierra Nevada, the quality control is IMMACULATE.
Nerd Tip: Sierra Nevada also makes “Hazy Little Thing” which is their hazy IPA. If you want to compare West Coast vs. New England side-by-side, buy both. It’s an education.
Difficulty Rating: Tutorial Level
Where to Find: Everywhere
7. Cigar City – Jai Alai IPA
Style: American IPA
ABV: 7.5%
Location: Florida
Availability: Southeast & expanding
Cost: $
Why It’s A-Tier:
Named after the Florida sport that was basically gambling disguised as handball, Jai Alai is a POWERHOUSE. Amarillo, Cascade, Centennial, CTZ, Mouteka, Simcoe hops. That’s SIX hop varieties. It’s like a six-man raid team of hops.
Clementine, tangerine, caramel, Valencia orange. It’s citrus-forward but with enough malt backbone to keep it interesting. Florida breweries don’t get enough credit, but Cigar City is world-class.
Nerd Tip: Jai Alai comes in regular and a white oak-aged version. The oak-aged version adds vanilla and wood notes. Try both.
Difficulty Rating: Mid-Game Boss
Where to Find: Southeast US, expanding nationally
B-TIER: Solid Everyday Drinkers
These won’t change your life, but they’re reliable, affordable, and available everywhere.
8. Lagunitas – IPA
Style: American IPA
ABV: 6.2%
Location: California
Availability: National
Cost: $
Why It’s B-Tier:
Lagunitas IPA is the “I need an IPA and this is at every store” option. It’s got a subtle apple-tinge to it, medium bitterness, and it’s crushable. Nothing fancy, nothing experimental. Just solid.
Nerd Tip: Lagunitas makes a TON of IPAs (Maximus, Hop Stoopid, Born Yesterday). If you like the standard IPA, try the others.
Difficulty Rating: Tutorial Level
Where to Find: Everywhere
9. Ballast Point – Sculpin IPA
Style: West Coast IPA
ABV: 7%
Location: California
Availability: National
Cost: $$
Why It’s B-Tier:
Sculpin is a CLASSIC West Coast IPA. Resinous, tropical, piney. It’s been a benchmark beer for over a decade. Some people think it’s overrated now, but it’s still objectively good.
Also, they make DOZENS of variants (Grapefruit Sculpin, Pineapple Sculpin, Habanero Sculpin). The flavor lab approach is fun.
Nerd Tip: Try the Grapefruit Sculpin if you want something slightly sweeter and more refreshing. It’s the “summer BBQ” version.
Difficulty Rating: Tutorial Level
Where to Find: Everywhere
SPECIAL CATEGORY: The “I’m Not Drinking But Still Want Hops” Tier
The NA IPA game LEVELED UP in 2025. These are legitimately good.
10. Sierra Nevada – Trail Pass NA IPA
Style: Non-Alcoholic IPA
ABV: 0%
Location: California
Availability: National
Cost: $
Why It’s Special:
This is, hands down, one of the best non-alcoholic beers PERIOD. It tastes like an actual Sierra Nevada IPA—hoppy, bitter, pine, citrus. If you drank this blindfolded, you might not even know it’s NA.
Nerd Tip: Pair this with your gaming sessions when you need to stay sharp. It’s the “Adderall of non-alcoholic beers” (legally, responsibly).
Difficulty Rating: Tutorial Level
Where to Find: Most major retailers
11. Athletic Brewing – Free Wave Hazy IPA
Style: Non-Alcoholic Hazy IPA
ABV: 0.5%
Location: Connecticut
Availability: National
Cost: $
Why It’s Special:
Athletic Brewing basically OWNS the NA craft beer space. Free Wave is their hazy IPA and it’s JUICY. Tropical fruit, citrus, creamy mouthfeel. It’s wild that this has basically zero alcohol but tastes this good.
Nerd Tip: Athletic makes a West Coast-style NA IPA too (All Out). Try both and pick your fighter.
Difficulty Rating: Tutorial Level
Where to Find: Most major retailers, online
Regional Legends: The State Champions
Every state has that ONE IPA that locals swear by. Here are some standouts from the 2025 VinePair state rankings:
- Georgia: Creature Comforts – Tropicália (ICONIC New England-style, passion fruit bomb)
- Delaware: Dogfish Head – 120 Minute IPA (Imperial IPA, 15-20% ABV, basically hop liquor)
- Connecticut: New England Brewing – Fuzzy Baby Ducks (100% Citra hops, papaya/mango/citrus)
- Hawaii: Maui Brewing – Bikini Blonde Lager (okay it’s not an IPA but COME ON, it’s Hawaii)
- Colorado: Literally pick any IPA from any Denver brewery, you’ll be fine
The Pro-Strat: How to Actually Drink IPAs Like a Nerd
🍺 Nerd Tip #1: Temperature Matters
IPAs should be served COLD but not ICE COLD. Around 45-50°F is ideal. Too cold and you can’t taste the hop nuances. Too warm and it gets flabby. Let your IPA sit for 2-3 minutes after pulling it from the fridge.
🍺 Nerd Tip #2: Glassware Actually Helps
Use a tulip glass or an IPA-specific glass. The shape concentrates the aromatics. You’re not being pretentious; you’re literally enhancing the experience. It’s like using a gaming headset instead of laptop speakers.
🍺 Nerd Tip #3: Don’t Age IPAs
Unlike stouts or barleywines, IPAs do NOT improve with age. Drink them FRESH. That “vintage 2019 IPA” in your friend’s cellar is not a treasure—it’s garbage juice.
🍺 Nerd Tip #4: Pair With Spicy Food
IPAs pair PERFECTLY with spicy food. Thai, Indian, Mexican, hot wings—the hop bitterness cuts through the heat and cleanses your palate. It’s the ultimate synergy, like double-jumping in a platformer.
🍺 Nerd Tip #5: Start Light, Go Heavy
If you’re new to IPAs, don’t jump straight into a 9% Triple IPA. Start with a session IPA or a hazy IPA (lower bitterness). Work your way up. It’s like starting on Normal difficulty before attempting Nightmare Mode.
🍺 Nerd Tip #6: The “One More” Test
A truly great IPA makes you want another one IMMEDIATELY after finishing. If you’re thinking “that was fine, I’m good,” it wasn’t great. If you’re thinking “where’s the next one?” you found a winner.
The 2025 IPA Starter Pack
Building your IPA collection from scratch? Here’s what I’d buy with a $100 budget:
The Core Four ($50):
- Bell’s Two Hearted – $10 (six-pack)
- Sierra Nevada Torpedo – $10 (six-pack)
- Lagunitas IPA – $10 (six-pack)
- Ballast Point Sculpin – $12 (six-pack)
The Level-Up ($30): 5. Stone IPA or Green Buds (if available) – $12 6. Cigar City Jai Alai – $12 7. A local brewery’s flagship IPA – $10
The Holy Grail ($20): 8. Whatever hazy IPA you can find from Tree House, Trillium, Hill Farmstead, or The Alchemist
This gives you West Coast representation, hazy representation, accessibility, and one “chase” beer to hunt down.
Final Thoughts: IPAs Aren’t Going Anywhere
Look, I KNOW there are people out there who are like “IPAs are overrated,” “I’m so tired of IPAs,” “why does every brewery make 47 IPAs?”
And to those people I say: You’re not wrong that IPA saturation is real. But IPAs dominate for a REASON. They’re:
✅ Expressive – Hops are WILDLY variable. Different hop varieties create completely different beers.
✅ Forgiving – Small brewing errors get masked by aggressive hopping.
✅ Profitable – They’re expensive to make but people WILL pay for them.
✅ Exciting – New hop varieties drop every year like patch updates.
2025 proved that even after 30+ years of IPA dominance, brewers can STILL innovate. The return of West Coast IPAs, the perfection of NA IPAs, the session IPA movement—these aren’t gimmicks. They’re genuine evolution.
So whether you’re a hop-head who thinks anything under 8% ABV is “water,” or you’re a n00b who just discovered craft beer exists, 2025 gave you OPTIONS. West Coast or New England. High-ABV or session. Alcoholic or NA. There’s an IPA for every play style.
Now go forth and drink your homework, you magnificent nerds. 🍺🎮
P.S. – If someone tries to tell you “IPAs all taste the same,” hand them a Pliny the Elder and a Julius back-to-back. If they STILL think they taste the same, their taste buds are broken and they should see a doctor.
P.P.S. – The IPA vs. Stout debate is the beer world’s version of “PC vs. Console.” Both are great. Stop fighting. Drink what you like.
P.P.P.S. – If you’re reading this in December 2025 and you STILL haven’t checked the “canned on” date on your IPA… what are you doing? FRESHNESS MATTERS. This isn’t wine. Drink it NOW.
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