India pale ale isn’t for everyone—even the most devoted craft beer enthusiast won’t deny that this heavier, hop-forward beer style can be polarizing. But the absolute best IPAs tend to offer complex, unique flavors that can totally reshape how you view craft beer as a whole, and that’s likely part of the reason they’re so popular. (Hit up our Types of Beer guide for more insight on what makes an IPA an IPA.)

With that said, there’s enough variety in the world of India pale ale that it can be an intimidating style to get into. You’ve got your session IPAs, fruity IPAs, New England–style IPAs and plenty more—so where’s a beginner to start? 

It depends, really. That’s why we’ve compiled a variety of the best IPA beers available through Gopuff to help you kick off your new obsession. (And don’t forget to consult our list of the best craft beers if you’d prefer to refine your taste even further.) 

Best Lighter/Sessionable IPA: Brewdog Punk IPA

The Details

• Brewer: BrewDog 

• Brewery Location: Columbus, Ohio 

• Beer Style: American IPA

• ABV: 5.6%

• IBU: 35

Why It’s Great

Though its ABV is higher than most session IPAs, the Brewdog Punk IPA is still labeled as such. And, once you taste it, you’ll see why—it’s a light beer that’s unusually refreshing by IPA standards. That makes it a great choice if you’re committed to finding an IPA you like but are turned off by the typical IPA’s heavier flavors. Or if you’d simply prefer not to get tipsy on half a can.

Still too heavy for your taste? Stick with one of the best domestic beers to play it safe.

Shop: Brewdog Punk IPA

Best Straightforward IPA for Beginners: Bell’s Two Hearted Ale

The Details

• Brewer: Bell’s Brewery

• Brewery Location: Comstock, Michigan

• Beer Style: American IPA

• ABV: 7%

• IBU: 55

Why It’s Great

Calling Bell’s Two Hearted Ale the gold standard of mainstream American IPAs might sound far-fetched when you consider just how much competition it’s facing, but we think it’d put up a good fight. The beer makes it clear why IPA fans are so passionate about the style, effortlessly balancing citrusy, piney freshness with a solid dose of malty flavor to create a beer that’s a straightforward IPA in all the right ways.

Shop: Bell’s Two Hearted Ale

Best Fruity IPA: Ballast Point Grapefruit Sculpin

The Details

• Brewer: Ballast Point Brewing Company

• Brewery Location: San Diego, California

• Beer Style: American IPA

• ABV: 7%

• IBU: 70

Why It’s Great

If you’ve ever sipped Ballast Point’s Sculpin, you can probably tell why it’s the brewery’s flagship IPA. Its quality has remained incredibly high for an IPA that’s so widely known and distributed. Plus, despite its 7% ABV, it’s ridiculously drinkable.

Grapefruit Sculpin is just as good, but it’s brewed with grapefruit to deliver a fruitier flavor that’s likely easier to appreciate for the IPA newbie. So, give it a shot, then move on to the OG Sculpin if the Grapefruit variant strikes your fancy. Can’t hurt to see what all the fuss is about.

Shop: Ballast Point Grapefruit Sculpin

Best West Coast IPA: Stone IPA

The Details

• Brewer: Stone Brewing

• Brewery Location: Escondido, California

• Beer Style: West Coast IPA

• ABV: 6.9%

• IBU: 71

Why It’s Great

The Stone IPA is a hop-forward force to be reckoned with, and it’s a fairly high-profile beer. Even if you’re typically drinking deeper cuts, this one’s worth your time.

There’s no hint of sweetness here, as there is with a lot of lighter and hazier IPAs. Its flavor is dark and piney, with distinct notes of sharp citrus and a bit of malt. Big-name IPAs may vary in quality, but Stone deserves its place at the top of the best IPAs list.

Shop: Stone IPA 

Best Non-Hazy Double IPA: Lawson’s Finest Liquids Sip of Sunshine IPA

The Details

• Brewer: Lawson’s Finest Liquids

• Brewery Location: Waitsfield, Vermont (though the Sip of Sunshine IPA is brewed in Stratford, CT, at Two Roads Brewing)

• Beer Style: Double/Imperial IPA

• ABV: 8%

• IBU: 65

Why It’s Great

While this iconic Connecticut IPA isn’t hazy like a lot of what’s brewed in New England, it still packs the flavorful punch you’ve come to expect from most East Coast brews. It’s tropical, yet bitter, striking a meticulous balance that a lesser brewery could only aspire to. Whether you’re a fruit fanatic or a piney purist, Sip of Sunshine’s an IPA you’ll want to add to your must-try list ASAP.

Shop: Lawson’s Finest Liquids Sip of Sunshine IPA

Best Imperial IPA: Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA

The Details

• Brewer: Dogfish Head Craft Brewery

• Brewery Location: Milton, Delaware

• Beer Style: Imperial IPA

• ABV: 15%–20%

• IBU: 120

Why It’s Great

Dogfish Head may brew a fair number of beginner-friendly craft beers, but the 120 Minute IPA is anything but. This beast is hoppy as all get-out, and its alcohol content is through the roof. As a result, it’s a one-of-a-kind IPA, especially compared to what you’ll typically drink from other nationally distributed breweries. If you’re after a beer that’s meant to be savored, you’ve come to the right place.

Shop: Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA 

Best Hazy IPA for Beginners: Deschutes Fresh Squeezed IPA

The Details

• Brewer: Deschutes Brewery

• Brewery Location: Bend, Oregon

• Beer Style: American IPA

• ABV: 6.4%

• IBU: 60

Why It’s Great

Hazy IPAs are selling like hotcakes these days, and Deschutes Fresh Squeezed is one of the style’s biggest celebs. This cloudy American IPA gets its fresh, juicy flavor from Mosaic and Citra hops, both of which have gained acclaim among the IPA community for their characteristic fruitiness.

But it’s not without its fair share of bitterness, as you can tell by its IBU (it’s much higher than the hazy Voodoo Ranger beer we mention below, for example). There’s no better pick for a sunny day, whether you’re spending it on the water or lounging on the patio.

Shop: Deschutes Fresh Squeezed IPA

Best New England: New Belgium Voodoo Ranger Juicy Haze IPA 

The Details

• Brewer: New Belgium Brewing Company

• Brewery Location: Fort Collins, Colorado

• Beer Style: New England IPA

• ABV: 7.5%

• IBU: 42

Why It’s Great

Given their popularity, we thought it made sense to include at least a few of the best hazy IPAs available, if only to give you a better idea of what to look for when you’re expanding your palate. Like the Deschutes brew we just discussed, this one’s a big name, and while that might be partially due to New Belgium’s massive distribution network (like Lagunitas, the brewery is actually owned by a much larger corporation), it’s also thanks to its uniquely accessible flavor.

Voodoo Ranger Juicy Haze is one of the best big-name New England IPAs available. It incorporates a handful of popular hops (Citra, Cascade, Centennial, Simcoe and Nugget, to be precise) to deliver a juiciness that easily masks its relatively high ABV.

Shop: New Belgium Voodoo Ranger Juicy Haze IPA  

Best Double New England IPA: Firestone Walker Double Mind Haze IPA

The Details

• Brewer: Firestone Walker Brewing Company

• Brewery Location: Paso Robles, California

• Beer Style: Double New England IPA

• ABV: 8.3%

• IBU: N/A

Why It’s Great

Firestone Walker’s Double Mind Haze takes the simplistic juiciness of the hazy IPAs we mentioned above and cranks it to 11. The result is an irresistible mishmash of tropical fruit flavors tinged with notes of coconut and only a touch of the bitterness most IPAs provide. Its ABV is still quite high, however, so be mindful when you’re sipping—it’ll hit you fast.

Shop: Firestone Walker Double Mind Haze IPA 

Best Non-Alcoholic IPA: Athletic Brewing Company Run Wild IPA

The Details

• Brewer: Athletic Brewing Company

• Brewery Location: Stratford, Connecticut

• Beer Style: Non-alcoholic IPA

• ABV: 0.4%

• IBU: 35

Why It’s Great

A non-alcoholic IPA, you say? And—stop the presses!—it’s actually great? It might sound too good to be true, but Athletic Brewing Company (which specializes in non-alcoholic craft beer) has gotten very, very good at what it does. The Run Wild IPA is proof.

Naturally, Run Wild goes down a lot easier than your everyday IPA, but it’s nonetheless packed with classic IPA flavor. There’s a clear hoppiness, but that’s offset by welcome notes of fresh fruit thanks to the (you guessed it!) Citra and Mosaic hops used during the brewing process.

Shop: Athletic Brewing Company Run Wild IPA 

Crack Open A Cold One

Got a hankering for a quality brew? Delve into Gopuff’s selection of craft beer, and stock up on IPAs you think you’ll love. Not convinced? Not a problem. Gopuff is fully stocked with top-tier domestics, the best imported beers and lots of other alcohol to help you get your drink on, no matter your taste.