Boston Beer Co. recently announced their new IPA, Latitude 38, previously available only in a variety pack, would be going solo in its own six-pack beginning this fall.
With that decision, nine out of the ten biggest craft breweries will now have an India Pale Ale as a year-round beer. Only the Spoetzl Brewery in Texas doesn’t make one, and they’re primarily a lager brewery, as is Boston Beer given their flagship Samuel Adams Boston Lager. Of the top ten ale breweries, they all have an IPA in their portfolios.
Top Craft Breweries for 2009
- Boston Beer Co.: Samuel Adams Latitude 38
- Sierra Nevada Brewing: Torpedo Extra IPA
- New Belgium Brewing: Ranger India Pale Ale
- Spoetzl Brewery: None
- Pyramid Breweries: ThunderHead India Pale Ale
- Deschutes Brewery: Inversion IPA
- Matt Brewing: Saranac India Pale Ale
- Magic Hat Brewing: Blind Faith
- Boulevard Brewing: Single-Wide I.P.A.
- Harpoon Brewery: Harpoon IPA
- Alaskan Brewing: Alaskan IPA
- Bell’s Brewery: Two Hearted Ale
A decade ago or so, hardly anyone had an IPA in their portfolio and fewer still made one all year long. Now almost every brewery feels they need to have one. I’d have to say that’s score one for the hopheads.
Are any of these their top-selling beer? Perhaps Harpoon IPA, maybe Bell’s Two-Hearted?
Mitch – I kind of doubt that Two-Hearted is their top seller. I think Oberon is Bell’s best selling beer, even if it is only a seasonal in most of the country.
Most of this is solely marketing jargon. Any of these beers could be sold as a Pale Ale and some could probably be classified as a Barley Wine. IPA/double IPA/Imperial IPA are the hot marketing terms.