A favorite amongst hop-lovers everywhere, the IPA was originally created in the 18th century to survive seabound exploration from England to the troops in India. The preservative qualities were enhanced by adding a copious amount of hops to the brew. Hops contain special preservative properties to help keep the beer fresh. Today’s IPAs are even more hopped than they were back in the day as people have developed an acquired taste for the style.

IPAs are medium-bodied and can range in color from pale amber to reddish copper. It’s more malty and hoppy than the original pale ale. You can expect a variety of aromas including citrus, grapefruit, piney, resinous, and tropical fruits.

IPAs are popping up everywhere and every brew master is trying to out-brew the last. Don’t get us wrong - we don’t mind trying all the different variations of the style! But, which ones are the tried and true classics? If you’re new to the style or just want to get the opinion of the professionals (I’m talking about the Wishbeer team, obviously) then check out our list of our favorite IPAs!

Our Favorites: 10 Top IPAs

10. Anderson Valley Heelch O’Hops

Artfully balanced and pleasantly bitter, Anderson Valley Heelch O’Hops is a Double IPA with a heavy malt foundation. Pouring a deep brassy-copper color, this palate-pleasing ale features a nose of ripe grapefruits, warm biscuits, and sweet malts. The flavors are a unique intertwined fusion of vanilla, soft mangos, and spicy peppercorns. The finish is smooth and wraps you in a deep alcohol warmth.

9. Coronado Islander IPA

Coronado Islander IPA is an easy-drinking and fruity tasting beer that pours a somewhat clouded golden hue forming a thin off-white head. Bright pine resin and citrus aromas dominate the bouquet. On the palate, you’ll pick up notes of tropical fruits, pale malts, and a fantastic hop bitterness. Coronado Islander holds true to the typical west coast IPA flavor and style.

8. Triporteur Total Loss

With an aroma big on caramel malts, milk chocolate, molasses, and spicy hops, Triporteur Total Loss is a Black India Pale Ale full of complex flavors. It’s dark brown in color and forms a moderate sized, off-white head. Triporteur Total Loss tastes malty with accents of toasted breads, bitter hops, and dark fruits.

7. Flying Dog Bloodline

Brewed with the orange juice and the peel of the blood orange, Flying Dog Bloodline is intensely-hopped and well-balanced between sweetness and bitterness. The bouquet carries big notes of grapefruit and citrus peels. Flying Dog Bloodline pairs nicely with fresh salads and grilled meats.

6. Deschutes Fresh Squeezed IPA

Pouring an opaque golden hue and developing a foamy, off-white head, the Deschutes Fresh Squeezed IPA fills yours nose with scents and aromas of caramel malts, citrus fruits, and dry hops. The taste of fresh-squeezed tropical fruits dominate the palate and quickly pull back, giving way for some backseat malt flavors and herbal bitterness.

5. Stone Cali Belgique

Stone Cali Belgique is a unique combination created in 2008 which perfectly fuses Stone IPA with Stone 08.08.08 Vertical Epic Ale. The brewers enjoyed what the Belgian yeast flavors of the Vertical Epic Ale did to the IPA. Big, bold aromas of banana, yeast, and dried spices with a hint of smokiness will entice your senses. The taste follows the nose. Stone Cali Belgique is light-bodied and dry with very little carbonation.

4. Brewdog Hardcore IPA

Brewdog’s Hardcore IPA certainly does its job in living up to the name. This Imperial IPA is extremely hoppy and doubly strong with an ABV of 9.2 percent. It pours a deep golden, amber color forming an off-white, medium head. The aroma is of fruity hops, citrus, and honey. The Brewdog Hardcore IPA won Gold at the 2010 World Beer Cup in the Imperial IPA category.

3. 8 Wired Wireless

8 Wired Wireless IPA is a 100% Brettanomyces fermented beer with a funky, herbaceous aroma. The fragrance is of tropical fruit, spicy resin, wood, and floral hops. 8 Wired Wireless IPA is light-bodied, clean, and harmonious with a strong character. It tastes highly of Brett along with additions of dry hops and tropical fruits.

2. Evil Twin Brewing Femme Fatale Brett

This American IPA from Evil Twin Brewing forms a huge two-finger, billowy white head that sits on top of a copper-orange colored body. Evil Twin Brewing Femme Fatale Brett smells of ripe stone fruits, citrus peel, lightly toasted white breads, and pale malts with hints of funky barnyard. The flavor is slightly bitter and well-balanced while finishing on a dry yet refreshing note.

1. Heretic Gramarye

This session IPA from Heretic is brewed with a dose of rye malt that gives it a luscious, velvety feel and a snappy, crisp finish. The taste has flavors of tangerines, dry herbs, and light caramel malts. Heretic Gramarye is both easy to drink and thirst quenching. Gramarye is the practice of learning magic, and the brewers think this beer is magica