I recall drinking Ballantine IPA sometime beginning in the late 70s or early 80s, but the first time I really took notice was when Sprecher came out with their IPA2 in 1995. I was quite familiar with that beer prior to my first taste of "Real" IPA in September 1996: Caledonian Deuchars IPA on cask at London's Ye Olde Mitre Tavern.

I don't remember the first real IPA but I remember the first time I had Hopslam, I thought, why the hell would anyone want to wreck a beer like this?? Now it's one of my favorites and highest rated beers, I was such a hop pansy!

It was definately Brooklyns East India IPA, followed moments later by DFH 60 min. I definately got some good ones when I was only 17! Boo Yah!

bell's two hearted when I was in the middle of nowhere in the u.p. It was a fancy restaurant but I mean this restaurant was the only thing for 30 miles and I didn;t quite get the style at the time I just kept telling my wife for the rest of the drive back home, man that was the best beer I ever had! About 2 years ago I started getting different styles and found I liked ipas the best and when I found and picked up another two hearted ale, there was ipa on the label.

I'm pretty sure Bell's Two Hearted was the first IPA I remember trying. I wasn't shocked by the bitterness because I was already drinking SNPA at the time. However, I do know the beer that made IPAs my favorite style was Titletown's Hopasaurus Rex. MMM! To this day, if I'm not not driving, I'll have 2 or 3 of those at Titletown when I'm in Green Bay. [8D]

Phillips Amnesiac DIPA, way back before I'd figured out what IPA was all about. Rated it 4.1 and still revisit from time to time.

I had some and just didn't understand the love of hoppy brews. However, one magical trip to Chicago in 2003 I had some excellent 3F's Dreadnaught on tap and also Bells Two Hearted on cask that made me realize that hoppy beers could be done well. Had both multiple times since and not as good, but both still hold a special place for me as the eye openers.

well, Saint Arnolds Elissa was the local IPA so that was the first.. then a gift of Palisade Red Truck IPA from a friend got me thinking.. but Stone IPA was the one that made me aware of the awesomeness of hops..

quote: Originally posted by heybeerman I don't remember the first real IPA but I remember the first time I had Hopslam, I thought, why the hell would anyone want to wreck a beer like this?? Now it's one of my favorites and highest rated beers, I was such a hop pansy!

quote: Originally posted by pfoxyjohn I recall drinking Ballantine IPA sometime beginning in the late 70s or early 80s, but the first time I really took notice was when Sprecher came out with their IPA2 in 1995. I was quite familiar with that beer prior to my first taste of "Real" IPA in September 1996: Caledonian Deuchars IPA on cask at London's Ye Olde Mitre Tavern.